As a response to this winter’s ongoing cold weather, The Working Centre has opened St. John’s Kitchen as an Overnight Warming Centre. There are high numbers of people staying outside. This is hard to believe in this harsh weather and we are seeing the hardship this creates. It is encouraging to see calls to action like this report by the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (OMA) report, but we also recognize the importance of practical action taken together as a community.

We will be providing this Overnight Warming Centre from 8:30 pm to 7:30 am seven days a week until the end of March.  This is a good use of our new facilities at 97 Victoria where daily we are welcoming 350-400 people. This past weekend we opened during the day on Saturday and Sunday as the temperatures dropped, supporting about 150 people a day. People were grateful for the respite from the cold. 

Join us in this response:

• We have no government funding for this Overnight Warming Centre and we are inviting donations to cover this $250,000 effort.
  • E-transfer along with your mailing address to [email protected]
  • donate online – www.theworkingcentre.org/donate
  • call us at (519) 743-1151 x111
  • Donations will be matched by an anonymous donor (doubling the benefit of your donation)
• Volunteer in the evenings or early mornings – email us at [email protected].
• Share this invitation with others who may be able to contribute.