Zack's Crib homeless shelter in Temiskaming region closing its doors at end of May

An overnight homeless shelter in the Temiskaming Shores, Ont. area is closing its doors on May 31, citing a decrease in demand for safe beds.

Zack's Crib in New Liskeard was founded in 2018 by two local fathers in honour of their sons who struggled with mental health, homelessness, and addiction. The pair wanted to establish a facility for the community's vulnerable population to have a safe spot to spend the night and have access to food, laundry, and wrap-around social services support through community partners.

The shelter, which was built through community partnerships and fundraising, officially opened its doors in December 2023 with 12 beds. 

In a social media statement earlier this month, Zack's Crib co-founder Yves Paillé announced the shelter's upcoming closure.

"Zack's Crib began as a vision, made possible through seven years of unwavering community support and dedicated fundraising. As of May 31, 2025, Zack's Crib will be closing its doors at 183 Broadwood," the statement said.

"Words cannot fully express our gratitude for your support—support that helped provide a safe space for those in our community who needed it most. We remain committed to advocating for our most vulnerable."

Paillé wrote that current clients have been offered support services, and an endowment fund is being created with the Temiskaming Foundation for the shelter's remaining money to be put into and go toward ongoing assistance for the homeless population.

"It's a little disappointing," said Temiskaming Shores mayor Jeff Laferrière of the closure.

"A lot of volunteers put a lot of work and effort in to see Zack's Crib come to fruition. And I think that they did an amazing job." 

Laferrière said he believes the organization was experiencing some operational and fundraising challenges, which may have contributed to its closure.

He added the municipality and the District of Timiskaming Social Services Administration Board (DTSSAB), which is a funding partner of Zack's Crib, are in discussions to possibly reopen the shelter in the future.

"We are in discussions with them to see, you know, what we can do collaboratively to make sure that Zack's Crib opens up again and whether it's a shelter or whether it's something else," said Laferrière.

In a statement to CBC News, the DTSSAB said the decision to close Zack's Crib was made independently by the shelter's board of directors.

"It's important to understand that while the closure of one agency impacts the network, it does not mean the entire system collapses," the statement read in part. 

"The DTSSAB remains committed to a comprehensive approach to homelessness that is focused on prevention, emergency and transitional supports, and bridging the gap to long-term housing stability."