Risebridge's Emergency Warming Centre for Nanaimo

Risebridge is stepping up AGAIN, to fill a critical gap in Nanaimo. Currently, there are no warming centres or drop in day programs open in the city, leaving those in need without a safe, warm place to go. We have less available resources and low barrier spaces than we've had in over a decade. That's why we're opening our doors daily from 9 AM to 12 PM, daily for the next three weeks to provide a warm and safe place for individuals in need.

Why just these three weeks? As an advocacy group, we have been wanting to open our doors for months, however we did not have the funding to do so safely and effectively.

The City of Nanaimo partnered with United Way this year to fund a different agency to provide such a service for this season. Unfortunately, that agency has yet to open and we've been told will likely not happen until the first or second week of January. It started snowing in our community today, and we don't feel people should be left without a place to go - especially over the holiday season.

Risebridge has successfully offered a warming centre for community over the past three years, and we are confident in our ability to help in a huge way over the next few weeks.

Your donation will directly support our efforts to offer warmth, safety, and hope during the upcoming weeks, while we wait for another option in our community to open.

Risebridge Nanaimo is currently operating as a cold weather shelter 7 days a week with 24 beds in the evening times, funded by BC Housing. This is the second year we've been able to offer such a program, and we are so grateful to have the opportunity to do so.

We have been offering a Tuesday drop-in program every week for general community, and currently support upwards of 100 people for these three hours. This includes access to laundry, food, free clothing and shoes and community connection. By opening earlier in the day, we are preventive by ensuring people have been fed, have proper winter gear and resource connections to get through the rest of their day. There is much need in our community right now, and even with another organization hopefully opening their doors in January, we still require so much more services and programs.

Every contribution, no matter the size, makes a difference. Please help us keep the doors open for those who need it most.

Thank you for caring.