Inuvik's wet shelter a warm refuge for the intoxicated

Earlier this winter, the town's mayor approached the church's minister about using the church's hall as an emergency warming centre. 

It was up and running within a month.

"It can get kinda chaotic for the first few hours, when people are coming in,” says Rev. Stephen Martin, the only full-time staff member.

“They can get kinda edgy depending on what kinda mood they're in. But usually after they get some hot food in their stomach, and some tea and coffee, a movie or a TV program to watch, that’ll start calming things down."

Up to a dozen people, men and women, come in out of the cold every night for warm food and a safe place to sleep.

There's less privacy here than in Inuvik's homeless shelter, but people can't stay there after they've been drinking. 

Guests sleep on mats in the large tiled hall.

Martin says many clients have family in town, but they may not be welcome there because of their struggle with addictions.

"You talk to the folks here in town who are coming in, it's the community members here who have maybe just fallen through the cracks a bit too far,” Martin says. 

The shelter relies on Martin, four part-time staffers and an army of volunteers. The RCMP dropped off thick sleeping mats, community members cook up chilis and soups, the hospital launders bedding and people have donated everything from cable to a big-screen TV.

We get the - 30 weather and people living under buildings, it's pretty dangerous.- Matthew Clark, volunteer

Matthew Clark is one of the many volunteers helping run the shelter.

By day, he manages Inuvik's Northmart. He became concerned when he saw people camping out under the business.

"As it got colder and colder, I became very aware that we have a problem, because no one wants to take someone that's frozen to death or somebody that's hurt because they're freezing and outside," Clark says.

“We get the -30 weather and people living under buildings, it's pretty dangerous."

Funding for the venture dries up on June 1.

Both men are aware that a more permanent situation is needed.

“Everyone says we have to help them with addictions or help them with finding jobs,” Clark says. “If we don't provide shelter or food, we can't hope to provide those other things. At the end of the day, it's a starting point. It's a step in the right direction.”

Clark says the town's inter-agency committee is looking at ways to deal with homelessness and addictions issues.

“This is maybe a band-aid,” says Martin. “We gotta find better solutions, but for now, you are important to us, we care about your well being, your life and your safety."