New warming centre set to open in Timmins

A new warming centre is set to open in a vacant building on Algonquin Boulevard East in the former Vintnar's Celler Winery. Organizers think it will help around a hundred people who have nowhere else to go.

A new warming centre is set to open in a vacant building, the former Vintnar's Celler Winery, on Algonquing Boulevard in Timmins. It will be operated by DIY Health Timmins. (Lydia Chubak/CTV News Northern Ontario)“We’re not looking to create another shelter," said Jason Sereda, one of the founders of DIY Health Timmins.

"What we’re looking to do is collaborate with our community partners and fill some of those gaps that we see in the community and one of those big gaps is 24/7 warming centre where people can go and just access support," he said.

Included in the plans are:

• washrooms,
• showers,
• laundry facilities and
• a place to eat.

Sereda said the idea is to build community in the space by asking people to contribute and then take what they need.

“If you’re hungry and you need food, you can access the community fridge, but maybe how you participate is that maybe you’re a great guitar player and you create an atmosphere for us that day or maybe you have carpentry skills and you can connect with Jan’s closet next door and help with furniture restoration," said Sereda.

Additionally, the founder said if someone needs clothing, a partnership with Jan's Closet, a neighbouring thrift shop, will help.

“I’ll get them what they need and if I can’t get them what they need, I’ll make sure I send them somewhere that can," said Shawnna Thibault.

"That’s the whole purpose of community right?”

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Sereda said this warming centre is possible without any government funding. Rather he said it is thanks to support from local business owners who believe in creating solutions to some of the social issues affecting Timmins.

“So we’re asking people if they can provide sponsorships or donations – either financial or in supplies that we can give out," he said.

"But what’s important is that it’s really a community bottom-up approach; we're going out there and just creating something that we need in our community."

Thibault echoed Serada’s sentiments.

“We just want to bring the brightness back to Timmins and stop focusing on what’s happening and start focussing on what we can do about it instead," said Thibault.

Sereda hopes to open the warming centre as soon as possible and will make further announcements on the DIY Health Timmins via social media platforms.