December

18

2024

NEWS RELEASE

 

 Winter Overnight Warming Space Provides Critical Support for Winnipeggers Experiencing Homelessness

 

WINNIPEG, MB (December 18, 2024) – Siloam Mission is opening its Winter Overnight Warming Space on December 18, 2024, to support individuals experiencing homelessness this winter. Located in our Old Drop In at 300 Princess Street, this space will be open every night until the end of March 2025, providing a warm and safe place for those in need.

We open this space with thanks to the Winnipeg Foundation for quickly flowing critical dollars while we wait for other funding confirmation.

The warming space will serve as a critical safety net, offering shelter when all other available beds in the city have been filled. This ensures that no one is left without a place to stay during the coldest months, maximizing the use of available resources. At the same time, the space prioritizes the safety and dignity of individuals seeking support, ensuring that every person is treated with respect and care.

There will be no temperature threshold this year. Unlike last year, the Winter Overnight Warming Space will remain open nightly, except for emergencies. The space will operate like our Drop In – so folks can come and go as they need or prefer.

A trained overnight team of staff members will manage the facility, offering essential supports such as food (mostly sandwiches), water, emergency clothing, and supplies and responding to emergencies like drug poisonings. Support for housing conversations will also be available.

 

Siloam Mission Winter Overnight Warming Space

No temperature threshold – open until March 31, 2025

Location: 300 Princess Street, main floor

Capacity: 116

Hours: 8:30 p.m. – 7:00 a.m.

 

“Every year we react to winter like a new emergency that we never saw coming. I am grateful to all the sector partners contwho ramp up and backed us to expand our services over the course of the winter to save lives. This is a critical, temporary lifesaving service that provides immediate relief as we work collectively to create long-term solutions, like housing, to ultimately eliminate the need for services like this.” -Tessa Blaikie Whitecloud (CEO, Siloam Mission)

 

Siloam Mission is a Christian-based non-profit organization addressing homelessness in Winnipeg. Our programs provide emergency services, healthcare, employment training, housing, and wellness opportunities to help community members rebuild their lives. Learn more at www.siloam.ca.

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For more information or to arrange an interview, please reach out to Hannah Palamer at communications@siloam.ca

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