As extreme cold continues to hammer down onto Regina, no one is more affected than the city’s homeless community. Regina’s warming centres are closed for parts of the day, leaving some with nowhere to go.
However, one organization is trying to fill the gaps in service.
“The resources are not what they’re supposed to be. They are failing, big time,” said James Cooper, who visited the “Hawk Principle” over the weekend.
Survival on the street is a challenge when faced with -40 C conditions.
Over 40 people a day seek shelter at the “Hawk Principle,” located in the Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church building in Regina’s Heritage neighbourhood.
It remains open, when other warming centres are closed.
“So, there is this gap, between 4 and 7 p.m. where people don’t really have anywhere to go and in a frigid, frigid February like we are experiencing right now, with -40 C temperatures, a place to go and stay warm is absolutely essential,” organizer Shawn Koch explained.
The “Hawk Principle” opened just two weeks ago. The shelter is operated by a group of volunteers through community donations.
“Like right now we’re watching some in a wheelchair and someone dragging their suitcases. People have vehicles, they take that for granted. They can just take their stuff and get into their warm car,” Koch explained. “Its really, really sad and we see it far too often and there’s just too many of our friends and family that are on the street.”
Those who drop in are thankful to have a place to keep warm until other centres open for the evening.
“I just want to thank the workers that are volunteering for us today and I’m just thankful that I am alive and everybody is here right now,” Mary Anne Desjarlais, who also visited the shelter, told CTV News.
Unfortunately, the warming centre could soon be without a home. The building has been sold and the new owner takes possession at month’s end.
The Hawk Principle is now looking for a place to go – just like the people it serves.
In response to the extreme cold, the City of Regina announced that it would be providing an overnight warming bus for those looking to escape the frigid temperatures.
The bus operated from 9 p.m. to 9 a.m. from Feb. 17-18.
