Cowichan Neighbourhood House Association in Chemainus emerged as the lifeblood of the community during the recent cold snap and snowstorms, backed by a caring community of volunteers.
The Neighbourhood House building on Willow Street was utilized as a warming shelter to serve community members in need when the temperature dipped well below normal.
“We were able to put it together, mostly because we had community members who stepped up, people who wanted to be good neighbours,” said Emily Holmes, who has stepped up big-time herself.
Holmes is currently doing double duty, taking on the role as interim president of the CNHA until the next annual general meeting in addition to her position as Chemainus Harvest House Food Bank coordinator.
The threshold for establishing shelters in the Cowichan Valley is 2 C.
Volunteers sprung into action to make the Neighbourhood House site a reality as a shelter for nine days, beginning Jan. 11. People took shifts so it was staffed around the clock.
Holmes credited CNHA board member Sam Fincham for making it happen. “Sam really took the bull by the horns and said ‘we need to do this,’” Holmes confided.
Angela Daoust, Leslie Van Gorkom, Patti Cheung and Bob Foreman are among the new board members. Debbie Hess and Bonnie Winn are also on the board along with Fincham and two more are still being sought.
Tesa Cournoyer has been hired as volunteer coordinator. She has counselling experience and has also worked with the Cool Aid Society and those with addictions.
All were grateful for the commitment level shown by too many others to name during the process of getting the shelter established.
“Your beautiful hearts and willingness to work with an ever-changing schedule is what made a warming centre able to happen,” read a Facebook post from the organization.
Helga Goodman from Willow Street Cafe provided muffins, Cece Shen from Owl’s Nest Bakery Bistro gave baked goods and Chris Istace from Beyond The Usual supplied warm gloves, hats and shoes.
Members of the community answered the call for blankets and donations that were much appreciated.
“We have a lot of unhoused,” noted Fincham. “They were able to come and get a warm cup of coffee.”
“It wasn’t just housing people for sleeping, it was housing people for warming,” added Holmes.
That encompassed everyone from those living primarily in vehicles to residents whose water lines may have broken during the cold weather.
“They were so receptive of what we were doing, they came the next day and made dinner,” said Fincham.
Another example of paying it forward.
A lot came in for a cup of coffee, some socialization and would leave again. People walked there during the snowstorm night.
“For people, it was their lifeline even if they weren’t unhoused,” emphasized Fincham.
The experience will all help toward future planning in the community, she added. “When you jump into something, you learn a lot.”
A local committee for emergency sheltering has now been formed.
“A lot of people associate unhoused with addictions,” Fincham said.
While that’s true in many cases, there’s also those who have been caught in the affordability crisis, she pointed out.
Neighbourhood House has developed into an all-encompassing location. A taco and games cafe was held on Jan. 26 and community dinners are being arranged regularly, with the next one planned later in the month.
It’s open to anyone, said Fincham. “Our hardest thing is getting people to realize they’re not just for the unhoused or those who are down on their luck.”
“It’s meant to be family friendly,” added Holmes. “There’s a lot of people feeling isolated and this is a place to connect with others.”
“It really is neighbours helping neighbours and a place to socialize,” summed up Fincham.
