Hope for Freedom Society is crediting the recently opened shelter program at Calvary Baptist Church in Coquitlam for getting three people off the street and into more secure housing.
But many local homeless people chose to sleep outdoors during the recent cold snap because they got their welfare cheques last week. That bleak picture is part of the reality of working with homeless people with addictions, many of whom stay stuck in their circumstances.
However, Rob Thiessen, managing director of the program that runs the temporary shelter, said shelter use climbed over the weekend and more than a dozen people stayed nightly at the church, after getting bused from collection points, and got "three square" meals during their stay, as well. Most of the homeless people are coming from the Port Coquitlam area, but a few are being picked up at a collection point in west Coquitlam.
Thiessen said it's always gratifying when the shelter program is able move people off the street to take control over their lives but it's also surprising when others insist in staying out in the cold.
Aiding the shelter workers last week were Coquitlam RCMP who encouraged at least one woman to take advantage of the shelter. In periods of extreme cold, police will advise people to use the shelter if no crimes or mental health issues are involved in the situation. "Our members are pretty good at providing that information to people," spokesman Cpl. Jamie Chung said.
Hope for Freedom has signed up more than 1,000 volunteers to help out and Coquitlam Alliance Church will play host to the shelter during the holiday season in December.
One of the perks of staying at the shelter, Thiessen said, is an Italian meal provided by Pasta Polo restaurant and owner Fred Soofi one day a week.
