“We are very excited to be back open at the clothing room,” says Katie Slykhuis, volunteer and program director at A Hand Up Clothing Room.
The clothing room was closed during the second lockdown which prevented residents from dropping off donations and limited locals from being able to access the free clothing. Since reopening last week, the clothing room saw many donations come in while those in need lined up outside the centre this week (located at 31 Frederick St. in Bradford).
The clothing room’s hours are Wednesdays from 1 p.m. – 3 p.m. and Friday evenings from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. with a two-bag per household limit every month.
“We want to thank everyone for understanding that we had to be obedient to the government restrictions that came into place on Dec. 26 that saw us shut down,” shares Slykhuis. “We are looking forward to seeing everyone again.”
A Hand Up is in need of men’s plus size clothing, as well as hoodies, jeans, and track pants. They are also looking for more volunteers, specifically for Wednesday afternoons when they do most of the clothes sorting.
In the same building as A Hand Up is the Out of the Cold Café in the lower level, just below the clothing room. The café was deemed essential during the lockdown as it provides temporary shelter and food for those struggling during the winter months. Now that the lockdown has ended, the café is back open seven days a week with new hours 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
“These new hours allow our team of volunteers to work one shift at a time,” notes Jodi Greentstreet, owner of WOW Living which operates the café. “When the café was open until 5 p.m. before, it was super slow and not very many visitors stopped by after 3 p.m. so, this ensures we can better care for our team and stay open more consistently.”
Greenstreet adds that the café’s core team of volunteers and staff will be evaluating whether to keep the café’s doors open into the summer months. Currently, the café is scheduled to close April 30, but Greenstreet says the café has been meeting more needs than just providing temporary shelter and food.
“This café has turned into a lot more than what we originally thought,” explains Greenstreet. “It’s not just a safe, warm spot with food, it’s a hub of resources for people to get better.”
Through the café, Greenstreet and her team have met and helped many locals who have been struggling to find affordable housing, a job, or getting access to mental health resources. Since the café’s opening last year, the team has helped 12 clients find permanent affordable housing solutions.
“We’ve been able to house 12 people within three months,” reports Greenstreet. “It speaks to our community. Often times, the government shy’s away from cold programs such as the café because they feel it’s just ‘shelter and food’ and [prefer to] invest in places that offer assistance with housing or mental health that are longer-term. So, in our first season, being able to actually help connect people with housing is just amazing!”
The café continues to rely on the support of local sponsors and wishes to thank its current monthly sponsors: Jeanny Salmon (Therapy & Clinical Services), Peter Reali (No Frills), Kelly Garge (Life Therapy), Wasim Jarrah (Keller Williams Realty Team), Doreen Johnston (Isagenix), Nancy’s Nifty Nook, Bradford Sobey’s, Bradford Starbucks West, Hacienda Santa Teresa, Tina’s Hair Salon, Little Caesars, and Don Cherry’s Sports Grill.
If you are interested in volunteering with the Out of the Cold Café, please reach out to Jodi Greentstreet with WOW Living at: [email protected] or call the café directly at 905-778-2048
“We would love to meet new volunteers,” saya Greenstreet. “Even if we shut down in April, we’re working on our volunteer team and pouring training into them for future projects. That’s what Patti [LaRose, founder of CrossTrainers Canada] and I have a heart for – to train and equip a solid volunteer team [and] strengthen the core team.”
