Streets Alive warming centre helping soften winter’s chill
By Ry Clarke - Lethbridge Herald Local Journalism Initiative Reporter on January 3, 2023.
The recent cold snap in southern Alberta saw temperatures dip below the double digits with the wind chill exasperating the freeze.To help those in need without a warm place to go, the City of Lethbridge asked Streets Alive Mission to expand its hours and provide a 24-hour comfort centre through the winter months. Located at 323 4 St. S., Streets Alive began its extended hours on Dec. 1, with efforts continuing on until March 31, 2023.
“It has been cold. We didn’t see warm weather till just after Christmas,” said Cam Kissick, director of operations at Streets Alive. “We saw a lot of frostbite through December. There are a lot of people that are sore and hurting. They were grateful to be able to come in, I know the shelter they were packed to the rafters as well. There are a lot of people that were just so grateful for a little bit of space to come in and sit down and warm up.”
Hoping to add more aid to the City’s extreme cold response supports, the partnership helps open more space to the vulnerable.
“We have never done a warming centre before, this is the first time we have ever done it,” said Kissick. “The City was seeking other alternatives for additional shelters or bigger shelters, things like that. They knew this coming winter that there were more people in need than there was space in the shelter. So they asked us if we could figure out something to do to fill the gap for this work.” Kissick notes they are open 24 hours but will also close, weather dependent, to clean the facility.
Located in the downtown core area, Streets Alive advocates to provide physical, emotional, social, and spiritual needs for the vulnerable.
On Dec. 22, Lethbridge Police Service arrested a 43-year-old man for drug trafficking charges around the area of 4 and 5 Street South. Kissick notes they are always happy to see drugs off the street when they are trying hard to run a drug-free operation.
“We are an abstinence-based organization,” said Kissick. “We want people to stop doing them. So if they want to do a big bust and get them off the street, we are more than happy because those drugs aren’t going to be killing people.”
Strict on its policy, Streets Alive has security on-site to help enforce those rules.
“We have security on staff, and a number of staff on shift, we are well into security,” said Kissick. “We have security that does both interior and exterior of the building, including the block to try and help mitigate some of the issues outside for our neighbours.”
Happy for the support for those in the area, Kissick notes the support from everyone to help Streets Alive do what they can.
“Things have gone exceptionally well, all things considered. I think a large part of that is due to our neighbours being as gracious as they have been,” said Kissick. “Understanding that it has a direct impact on their businesses and they have been supportive to it, understanding that there was a need for (the warming centre).”
Open during the winter weather providing a retreat from the cold, Streets Alive will continue its roll until March 31 when it will resume normal hours of operation.
“All things considered, I believe it is going incredibly smooth,” said Kissick. “A big thank you to our neighbours in the community, especially indirect neighbours for being supportive and appreciate it and understanding as they have been.” 2
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