Kelowna's Gospel Mission partners with NOW Canada to provide shelter for those in need.
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February 25, 2015 - 7:27 PM
KELOWNA - It seemed as though lack of funding and subsequent closure of 35 beds at the Inn From the Cold overnight shelter program could mean the end of safe transitional accomodations for some of Kelowna's homeless, but two other charities are stepping forward to announce they have room and nobody will be turned away.
The Kelowna Gospel Mission along with NOW Canada have room to shelter all those displaced according to a media release, and if they don't have enough beds, they'll make it work by laying mats for any overflow.
Kelowna's Gospel Mission exists to meet basic, practical needs, according to their website. They're located at 251 Leon Ave. and provide shelter and food along with spiritual-based comfort to those in need. NOW Canada partners with Kelowna's Gospel Mission and is a low-barrier shelter, meaning those with addictions can stay there however they must abstain while under the shelter's roof. They provide up to 30 days accomodation, with three meals per day, laundry facilities and there are individualized programs to help people find housing, jobs and medical care and treatment programs, according to their website.
Inn From the Cold continues to work toward finding a permanent solution for those who will lose their bed March 1. They opened their doors Nov. 15, 2014 to shelter 35 homeless but ran out of money and were forced to close their doors. The decision protects their other year-round programs aimed at helping the homeless get off the street and into homes, teaching them life skills and finding community support so the transition can continue to be a success. Funding for Inn From the Cold programs comes through fundraising events, sought-out opportunities and in-kind donations.
To contact a reporter for this story, email jmcdonald@infonews.ca, call 250-575-0521. To contact the managing editor, email Marshall Jones at mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.
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