Daytime drop-in for people who are unsheltered opens today

Waterloo Region – The first of two drop-in centres planned for the community’s most vulnerable population will open today as part of the region’s pandemic response. 

Adults who are at least 18 years old and who are unsheltered (not connected to an emergency shelter) will be encouraged to visit St. John’s Kitchen in Kitchener. 

The building at 97 Victoria Street North can hold 20 people while accommodating physical distancing. It will be open from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Monday to Friday. 

The Working Centre has moved its daily lunch time pick-up (from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.) to the parking lot of Worth a Second Look to help provide space for the drop-in. 

All visitors will be screened for COVID-19 before entering. 

People using the space will be offered food, washrooms, showers, laundry, harm reduction supplies, and connections to emergency shelter and housing. 

Those who are already connected to emergency shelters in the region are encouraged to remain there during the day to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. 

The daytime space is a partnership among many organizations, including The Working Centre, Ray of Hope, Region of Waterloo, and other partners within the Community Support Control Group. 

In addition to Kitchener, a second drop-in is being planned for Cambridge and work is underway to secure a location.

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For media interviews, please contact:

Sherry Morley, Communications Coordinator, Community Services, Region of Waterloo, smorley@regionofwaterloo.ca,