Family. Caring. Home. Those are just some of the words 36-year-old Christopher Wares used Tuesday morning about the Stanley/New Fountain homeless shelter on West Cordova Street.
On Monday the provincial government made the official announcement the shelter will remain open for at least one more year at a cost of just over $1 million.
Wares, formerly from Ontario, says hes spent most nights in the past 18 months at the low-barrier shelter, which allows pets and offers secure storage for grocery carts and belongings. Wares arrived at the shelter after being stabbed and robbed while living in Surrey.
Now Im trying to better myself and the staff here is helping me, said Wares. I stayed at another hotel but it was really run down and had mould on the walls. That wasnt good for my health.
Wares health is failing. A month ago following a doctors visit arranged by staff at the New Fountain, it was discovered Wares has a spot on his liver. With six-months of chemotherapy treatment looming, the shelter staff is trying to find Wares permanent housing. Despite this recent setback, Wares is optimistic about his future and he credits the New Fountain staff for his outlook. Its a good place to be, he said. Its like home.
New Fountain co-manager Sarah Blyth said clients typically arrive at the shelter after a traumatic incident or in their darkest hours. To call Blyth happy the shelter will remain open is an understatement.
I heard a week ago and Ive been excited ever since, said Blyth, who also sits on the park board as a Vision Vancouver commissioner.
Blyth partially credits the public protests, including one during which protesters occupied city halls front lawn and invaded council chambers, and the ensuing support for highlighting the scheduled closure of the shelter, which was supposed to shut its doors at the end of April but received a two-month reprieve.
It truly shows the power of the people, she said.
Blyth also thanked Rich Coleman, provincial minister responsible for housing, and B.C. Housing for doing the right thing.
Her hope is that one day shelters across the city will empty out and will no longer be needed. In the meanwhile Blyth is also optimistic the province will continue funding the shelter beyond next June.
But right now we need a permanent shelter and solution to help the ones who fall through the safety net, like the mentally ill, she said.
In a news release Monday, Coleman said, Our focus is on creating housing that helps people move off the streets permanently. Were making progress with about 400 hundred units now open and we have decided to fund the New Fountain Shelter for one more year, while we build more permanent housing.Portland Housing Society executive director Liz Evans didnt return a phone call from the Courier, but said in a statement,
The New Fountain shelter has made a difference in hundreds of peoples lives. I want to sincerely thank and commend both the premier and minister for their commitment, advocacy and hard work towards addressing homelessness in our province.
See related story on page 12.
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