Finally, itâs not just mats on the floor.
Finally, no one is getting kicked out every day at 6 a.m., as was considered acceptable in this city before.
Itâs a silver lining to a devastating pandemic and worth taking a moment to reflect on how much has changed. The pandemic, a surge in public empathy, attention from public health and community activists, new flexibility and funding from the federal government â all of it created a moment of change.
If we recognize it, maybe it wonât all slide away.
The new temporary shelter is in a church just off Whyte Avenue. Itâs run by The Mustard Seed, with space for 20 women who will be assigned an individual pod, separated from neighbours by partitions. The pod has a bed, table and chair, which is theirs for as long as they stay.