Lots of people Inn from the Cold

We've been open three nights now and we'll likely be open for at least two more. Six people the first night, twelve the second, eight last night: New Year's Eve. Five people were new this season and two had never stayed in a shelter before anywhere.

Once again, we had to jockey for space with other groups who use St Alban. This time a blood donor clinic completely filled the main room that we normally use for sleeping for two straight days, leaving their equipment overnight, so we set up the mats in the church and served meals in the lounge after the clinic closed. At one point during dinner, I went back to the church and found it empty except for one of our guests down on one knee in front of the altar. He told me later that he hadn't prayed in years, but he'd been hit by a car that day while riding his bike and being inside the church at St Alban that same day prompted him to give thanks for being alive.

The lack of a women's shelter in Richmond continues to be painfully obvious. The same night we were in the church, a woman who was quite well dressed arrived. She'd been directed to our shelter by the RCMP. Her English was weak, but we learned she'd been kicked out of her house by her husband. Everyone did their best to make her feel safe and welcome (we had two women staff on that evening, and we offered her a private area to sleep), but it was not the right place for her and she left before lights out.

Today's the start of a new year and there are signs of new, positive changes for a few of our regulars. Two are seriously considering detox or recovery houses and another just received word that he's qualified for social assistance in January. The big news is one man is moving into permanent housing starting next week, as he's over 55 and that bumps up his eligibility. He's been tenting in a Richmond park for over a year with another regular guest. They have quite a camp set up there: one small tent for each of them and a third large tent they call the garage where then store their gear and work on their bikes. They are hidden from public view, but the RCMP know they are there and check up on them. His buddy does not meet the same criteria for this kind of housing, but his advocate is trying to find a way to get housing for him too.

Volunteers and staff continue to make the Inn a warm and welcome place to spend the night. Kudos to everyone. Our overnight staff (Anneliese, Dasha, Frank, Hugh, James, Kay and Norm) are hired to ensure the safety and security of guests and volunteers but they spend most of their time being there for our guests and I think this person to person interaction is one of the shelter's biggest gifts.

Happy New Year everyone. May 2011 be your best year ever.