St. Lawrence Centre overcrowded trying to help city’s homeless

The St. Lawrence Centre is packed with people trying to escape the extreme cold we’re experiencing.
 
The Centre’s Project Lead Jared Gossen says the centre has been over capacity for the last year.
 
“Even with the mild temperatures in the first half of winter, it was already a record year,” says Gossen. “Homelessness has been on the rise in the past couple of years in Grande Prairie. Emergency shelters and drop-in centres usually bear the brunt of that.”
 
Gossen notes that during the daytime program, they’ll regularly see 70 to 100 people per day, but with the weather this cold, it’ll be closer to 100. They’re also over capacity for the sleeping program. Gossen says they’re doing what they can to make space for everybody.

“Unfortunately something we’ve been struggling with is space. Where our card table used to be, and our clothing rack for donated clothing, and our couches, everything is gone just to make room for more bodies,” says Gossen.
 
Gossen explains planning needs to be done to prepare for more overcrowding at the Centre. He says a majority of the shelter’s funding comes from community donations, and they also get a large contribution from the City which allows them to stay open during the winter.
 
“We’ve been open since 2015, and use of the space has almost more than doubled in that time. We’re going to have to maybe look at using a different space, but that’s only a possibility if there’s money available.”
 
Gossen adds the Centre is always accepting donations of food, blankets, towels, socks, and mitts. He notes they’re not currently accepting donations of general clothing as they’re overstocked.
 
“The drop in space is open during the entire day. If you see someone who is in distress or out in the cold weather, you can remind them about coming and warming up at the St. Lawrence Centre which is located in Rotary House.”