It害羞草研究所檚 been two weeks since a temporary shelter run by the John Howard Society on Ellis Street opened and things are going well.

害羞草研究所淚t is pretty much at capacity every night and in the mornings we are getting a full-20 coming over to our drop-in centre next door,害羞草研究所� said Laurence East, pastor with Metro Community.

Metro Community church purchased the old Central Okanagan Food Bank on Ellis Street, which is currently being used as an emergency shelter. Previously it was being renovated to serve the needs of its membership. Those renovations went on hold when a decision was made to use the space for a temporary shelter while temperatures dipped to sub zero levels and pre-existing shelter spaces filled up.

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害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 a no drugs, no drinking shelter and people seem to be calm,害羞草研究所� said East. 害羞草研究所淭hose who come in, come in just to sleep and to rest. They get a decent mattress and a pillow and it害羞草研究所檚 warm.害羞草研究所�

East said Shaw installed high speed internet at the facility for while the shelter is up and running and that害羞草研究所檚 satisfying clients who almost all have smartphones.

害羞草研究所淲e thought about putting in a TV, but we didn害羞草研究所檛 want it to be disruptive,害羞草研究所� he said.

The space is only supposed to be used until the end of February, but there害羞草研究所檚 already been talk of an extension if conditions don害羞草研究所檛 improve. That害羞草研究所檚 something that East is comfortable with doing.

As for how neighbours are faring with their new neighbours, it害羞草研究所檚 been pretty good. East said they sent out a letter to those nearby and explained what was happening.

Only one incident has thus far raised concerns and it was largely a misunderstanding. A harm reduction kit was found and people believed it to be dirty needles.

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