To the Editor,
Re: Wet-weather shelter will operate on nightly basis, Feb. 8.
The deaths of two homeless people in Campbell River a couple of weeks ago illustrate the life threatening hazards faced by those without shelter in British Columbia during the winter months.
While it is true that the extreme weather protocol was in effect on the night these people died, the inconsistency and random openings may have led to the choice of the individuals not to seek shelter.
Openings every night, not simply when weather is deemed extreme, during the winter months may have prevented these untimely deaths and may prevent others in the future.
Nanaimo is fortunate in that its city council, with prompting from local activists, was able to see the benefit of this and find the means to allocate funds toward providing a reliable and consistent service.
While there are many opinions of the homeless, some extremely degrading, it is important for people to realize that not one of these people could have foreseen being in this dilemma when they were children.
Whether because of addiction, abuse, mental illness or family breakdown, people should understand that homelessness can happen to anyone.
One has to congratulate the members of the Unitarian Fellowship, volunteers at the shelter, the surrounding community and city council for their willingness to provide this service and take on what can seem to be a thankless endeavour.
It is only through compassion, caring, and understanding that we will eventually be able to alleviate homelessness.
Gordon W. Fuller, Nanaimo
