By Cecilia Nasmith/Today’s Northumberland
Northumberland County has announced a daytime Warming Room open in Cobourg for unsheltered residents to come in out of the cold, access washrooms and partake of light refreshments.
Located at the Cobourg Lions Community Centre at 157 Elgin St. E., this respite centre is co-ordinated by the county, Green Wood Coalition and St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church as a companion measure to the overnight Warming Room launched at Cobourg’s Columbus Community Centre on Dec. 21.
Starting today, the daytime Warming Room is accessible seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. through the end of March.
“We appreciate the ongoing collaboration with community partners to ensure a range of supports is available to community members experiencing homelessness, from emergency shelter, diversion and peer supports, to these drop-in warming centres,” Director of Community Services Lisa Horne stated in the press release.
“This is a vital service, providing a safe space for vulnerable community members to get a break from the cold during the winter months.
“To further ensure the safety of those visiting the Warming Rooms, COVID-19 protocols are in place, including symptom screening at entry, physical distancing and mandatory use of masks on premises, and enhanced environmental cleaning practices.”
“We are excited to be part of delivering this important service in support of people who are unsheltered and cold in our community,” St. Andrew’s Rev. Neil Ellis commented.
“By collaborating and leveraging our collective resources to provide services like these Warming Rooms, community partners are striving to be responsive to the needs of vulnerable residents.”
The overnight Warming Room at 232 Spencer St. E. is also open seven days a week from 9 p.m. to 9 a.m. Both services are being funded with Social Services Relief Funding, announced by the provincial government to enhance social services during COVID-19.
For more information about resources for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness in Northumberland, visit Northumberland.ca/ HousingAndShelter.
Author: Pete Fisher
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