The first warming centre for people with addictions will open in Winnipeg this week

The first warming centre for people with addictions will open in Winnipeg this week

Main Street Project will open around the clock warming centre for all people who need to spend a night somewhere.

The main difference of this place from other shelters of the city is that its doors will be open absolutely for all residents of the city, even if they are under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

The executive director Rick Lees explained that the only reason a person can be denied in access is too aggressive behaviour.

"This is a warming centre regardless of circumstance," Lees said.

There will be no beds in the new centre. There will be chairs and armchairs, food, water, as well as games, TVs and computers. The primary goal is to get as many of the vulnerable people off the street as possible, especially in such cold weather.

"It's about giving people back that choice. There's a lot of people that are actually up at night, and roaming the streets. They sleep during the day. So this will give those people that option," he added.

This warming centre will place about 40 people at once, and it gets money from the City of Winnipeg and End Homelessness Winnipeg.

The centre will be able to help many city residents in the summer when the temperature is too hot to stay on the streets as well. In the future, Main Street Project plans to expand the place so that more than 100 people can come there if necessary.

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