A former board member and executive director of the Inuvik Warming Centre says sheSA国际影视传媒檚 very concerned with the direction the lifeline for many in the area has taken.

Mary Cockney said she resigned from the board earlier in the year after the NWT Housing Corporation moved in at the direction of Minister Paulie Chinna.

At the start of May, when temperatures were still dropping below zero overnight, the centre closed its doors for the summer. A spokesperson for NWT Housing at the time told Inuvik Drum the closure was to facilitate training for staff.

SA国际影视传媒淚t is very concerning that the doors have been closed to the Warming Centre without notice to anyone, let alone the clients,SA国际影视传媒� she said. SA国际影视传媒淭here are a few questions that can be answered, but whom do we address the questions too?

SA国际影视传媒淒oes the Society still have a Board to speak for their clients? Who is responsible for the clients now? Why isnSA国际影视传媒檛 there day programs for the clients to feel free to have a hot meal at least once a day, maybe shower and wash their laundry if need be?SA国际影视传媒�

Over the winter, the Warming Shelter was able to move to a building on VeteranSA国际影视传媒檚 Way for sleeping. The traditional warming shelter was transformed into a day-home to allow residents to cook, shower and go about their day to day business. This happened following a tumultuous meeting which saw much of the board resign and the society nearly dissolving. During that meeting, it was revealed the society was undergoing an audit.

Cockney said the audit was completed over March and April of this year and the society is in the black. She added she was under the impression the society had access to enough money to keep the shelter in operation until July.

One recurring issue Cockney highlighted was changes to the rules that prevent staff from barring problem residents. The issue has been a recurring one over the years that different boards have had to grapple with, but she added it was always the board and staffSA国际影视传媒檚 decision. She noted she had three rules when she was the director SA国际影视传媒� be safe, be respectful of others and keep the peace. Now, Cockney says the board has no voice anymore, a contrast from when she was executive director of the shelter.

Top of mind for Cockney is that the shelter closed down entirely. She asked why NWT Housing canSA国际影视传媒檛 maintain a skeleton program while it reorganizes.

SA国际影视传媒淲e have very vulnerable people now on the streets,SA国际影视传媒� she said. SA国际影视传媒淎nd yet there is a pandemic in the midst, with all the emergency funds flying around and handed out left and right. There isnSA国际影视传媒檛 monies to keep the doors open to the Warming Centre?

SA国际影视传媒淭o at least be acknowledged as an human being and one hot meal a day. Is that too much to ask?SA国际影视传媒�

Town comes together to provide hot lunches

While the Warming Centre itself was closed, the site was still active over June as volunteers came together to help provide nourishment for those in need.

Spearheaded by Mayor Natasha Kulikowski, the group of 30 volunteers rolled up their sleeves to cook hot meals and soup to be distributed over lunch hour each day.

SA国际影视传媒淭he Mental Health Working Group Held a multi-agency meeting to discuss the immediate needs of the folks who regularly access the Warming Centre,SA国际影视传媒� she said. SA国际影视传媒淥ne of the immediate needs identified was a warm meal each day. There is currently another group in town handing out sandwiches and snack bags.

SA国际影视传媒淚 know that the board will soon be posting a call for members, so I would encourage community members to reach out and join the Emergency Warming Centre board of directors.SA国际影视传媒�