Shelter opens in Burnaby

By Dan Hilborn
Published Jan. 8, 2005


When the temperature dropped below zero degrees this week, a temporary homeless shelter was quietly opened in the Edmonds neighbourhood by a small community service agency.

The Arrows to Freedom Cultural Healing Society is providing 25 mats, complete with blankets and other provisions for the homeless, out of its office at 7753 Edmonds St., halfway between Canada Way and Sixth Street.

"We can accommodate up to 25 people and we'll be open as long as the weather is cold," said Darcy Demas, the homeless outreach worker for the society.

"And if it's extremely cold, we'll make provisions to stay open past the weekend."

Demas, who has worked for Arrows to Freedom for the past two years, said this is the first time the group has opened the temporary shelter. Eight people had already slept in the facility in the first two nights after it opened.

News of the temporary shelter has been spread by word of mouth since the beginning of the week, although the majority of people who have used the service were discovered by Demas as he drove around the community.

"What we do is drive around looking for people who are sleeping under bridges or in the parks. We seek them out and offer them this shelter," he said.

However, Demas noted that many of the homeless people he's talked to have turned down his offers for assistance.

"A lot of times, people have all their possessions in a shopping cart, and they don't want to part with it. So we offer what we can - something warm to drink or blankets or sweaters. Anything to help ensure that they can make it through the night."

The temporary shelter was originally opened on Sunday and Monday nights and was scheduled to reopen for Thursday, Friday and Saturday. On the nights when the Edmonds area shelter is not open, Demas helps bring homeless people from Burnaby to its sister site, the Aboriginal Friendship Centre on Hastings Street in East Vancouver where there is the capacity to accommodate 250 people.

The Arrows to Freedom Cultural Healing Society temporary shelter is open from 5 p.m. until 10 a.m., and offers a free meal in both the evening and morning for people who use their facilities. People seeking assistance can show up at the office, or call either the facility at 604-520-6944 or Demas directly at 604-780-9859.