Frostbite

Which is why Semiahmoo Peninsula advocacy workers and a local politician are drawing attention to the gaps in service. Shelter, warming centre running at over- ...

“The City of White Rock appreciates the need for supportive housing, especially during extreme weather, which is why it has formed a partnership with Surrey to operate an emergency warming centre… “We need to ensure that when a person is ready, it’s there. Because you guys close, that wound care we were doing, we’re back to the start, if not worse.’ So we’re trying to build that back up again,” Tatlay said. In a sleeping bag, David’s head portion was covered by trees but the lower half of his body was “completely covered in snow, inches high.” The next time they’ll be inside is the next time we open up the doors again. The reality is, however, the number of individuals who show up at the shelter are in the mid-40s, said Susan Wieczorek, a volunteer at the shelter. I think many communities and provinces find themselves with an overflowing problem (that is) under-resourced and that’s where we are today. We’re often over-capacity which is a sad comment on society that so many people need a place to stay,” she said. On the days of freezing temperatures, the group will see individuals with frostbite and other physical injuries. and has mats for 25 individuals to sleep on in the multi purpose room. But because of various staffing difficulties Tatlay was informed about beforehand, he said, healthcare workers have not been at the centre since the first week of December. So there was a whole section of people who were just standing.”