By: 1JustCity
We’re back for our second year of Just a Warm Sleep and looking for volunteers! Many in our city are struggling with basic necessities, at 1JustCity we seek to provide folks with supports from socks, to meals, to advocacy and a lot of hugs! You could say that we serve lots of love with a side of food and programming.  You make that possible – your compassion keeps our doors open, your energy makes the spaces inside warm and welcoming.
We are pleased to announce that ‘Just A Warm Sleep’ is opening Monday, January 1st, 2018 (1 month earlier than last season!) with support from Bear Paw Security and in partnership with Augustine United Church.

 

Location:
109 Pulford Ave (Augustine United Church)

 

Schedule:
Open 7 days a week | If below -10°C, based on wind chill forecast at 1:00 pm.
10:00 pm – 11:00 pm Doors Open | Security open doors; Volunteers are present
11:00 pm – 6:30 am | Lights out; monitored by security
6:30 am – 8:00 am | Sleepers leave by 7:00 am, volunteers clean up

 

Role of volunteers:
  • Volunteers welcome sleepers and explain to them the code of conduct. Sleepers sign in, stating that they agree to the code of conduct. Volunteers than provide security with a registration list at 11:00 pm.
  • Volunteers assist sleepers into comfort, and focus on building relationships. Refer to other services based on guest interest.
Can you be a volunteer? Contact volunteer@1justcity.ca
Volunteer training is ongoing, but the first opportunity is January 1st from 8-10pm. Come & go, expect to stay for 30 minutes. 
Can’t volunteer but still want to help others have at least ‘Just A Warm Sleep’? Donate now at www.1justcity.ca/donate and put Just a Warm Sleep in your comments! On average, it costs $250 dollars a night, so if you’d like us to open in honour of a loved one, let us know and we’ll put that on our calendar!

 

Here is a story of a woman who accessed Just a Warm Sleep last year!

One of the women who accessed Just A Warm Sleep (JaWS) last year had been homeless for a while but had never slept at a shelter. When she came to Just a Warm Sleep for the first time she stood out, her clothes were pretty nice but mostly it was her agitation. She was very on edge, very tense, she always took the corner to sleep. 

The first time she came I didn’t think she’d come back, but the next time it was my shift there she was. Her behaviour still agitated but less on edge, a little less tense. 

Another volunteer asked her once why she had not gone to a shelter before ours- her words reminded me that you’re also providing her choice. She said, “I can’t go to that end of town or those places – he’s there.” 

He is her abuser – and last year for a short time you were her protector. Faced with the realities of our winter and the recent freedom from an abusive relationship she would have had nowhere to sleep except that you helped. Coming to Just A Warm Sleep meant she could keep her job, she showered at her gym before work, and she gradually re-built her life and stopped needing to come to JaWS.