Southridge Shelter
201 Glenridge Ave L2T 3J6 Saint Catharines, ON, Canada

The Shelter Tonight Show | EPISODE 6

The Shelter Tonight Show | EPISODE 5

The Shelter Tonight Show! EPISODE 4

The Shelter Tonight Show! EPISODE 3

The Shelter Tonight Show! EPISODE 2

The Shelter Tonight Show! EPISODE 1

Thanks to everyone who has expressed concern regarding the visit from the St. Catharines Fire Department at our building this morning. A faulty heater started smoking, but it was immediately taken care of by Shelter staff. The building was evacuated and St. Catharines Fire has given the all clear. Everyone is safe!

To all our shelter volunteers, We know you've been receiving a lot of updates from us in these past days as the situation around us changes rapidly. As you know, as much as possible, we've been trying to navigate and maintain all of the faithful contributions from our shelter volunteers that make our shelter viable and build mutual community among volunteers and residents. However, effective immediately we are suspending all volunteer shifts at the recommendation of our medic...al support team and in response to the best practices we see being implemented in shelters around the country. This decision is to protect our residents from the COVID-19 virus unknowingly being brought into the shelter. As previously mentioned, our friends in the shelter are among the most vulnerable in our city, many having existing health issues that may compromise their immune system and we need to do all we can to protect them. We are currently working on a staffing plan to ensure our residents still receive the care and support they need through this difficult time. Rest assured they will remain our main priority! We will keep you updated as the situation unfolds and please feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions. In the meantime of this suspension of volunteer shifts, please keep our shelter community -- residents, staff, and community supports -- regularly in your prayers as we face this together. Kind Regards, Samantha Kenny Interim Shelter Director

*COVID19 UPDATE* The Shelter is continuing to run as normal at this time. In an attempt to maintain the health of everyone, social programs will be cancelled until further notice - this includes yoga, rock climbing, euchre, women’s coffee, and men’s coffee. Support programs will still be running as usual. ... We are so thankful for the commitment of our front desk & kitchen volunteers who are so instrumental in the continuation of the Shelter services. We are in ongoing communication with Public Health and the necessary precautions are being taken to comply with their recommended best safety practices.

In light of the elevated risks associated with the COVID-19 virus, unfortunately, the Shelter Muskoka Retreat on March 13-15, 2020 will be canceled. We recognize that this very disappointing, and Southridge values the safety and security of all of our residents, volunteers and staff and does not feel that it would be wise to travel to Muskoka as a group this weekend. The event will not be rescheduled for this year due to circumstances beyond our control. Refunds will be available at the front desk of the Shelter and further questions can be directed to Shelter staff or Erica Singer.

We are headed to Muskoka THIS WEEKEND! Are you coming? If you haven’t signed up yet, you can do this at the Shelter Front Desk by TOMORROW (Wednesday). ... If you have signed up, we are so excited! Here are a few things to remember to pack: - a sleeping bag / blanket & sheet - pillow - personal hygiene stuff (deodorant, shampoo, toothbrush, etc) - towel - warm, winter gear (coat, boots, hat, scarf, gloves, etc) - clothes for 3 days - extra socks - Bible / notebook - running shoes - water bottle - sleeping bag / sheets & blanket + pillow (yep, we’re mentioning it twice, because it’s extra important!) Three more days to go! Don’t miss out!

We had a ton of fun at the Shelter retreat in 2019- are you joining us this year? March 13-15 at Muskoka Woods. Register at the Shelter Front Desk!

Don’t miss out on the annual Shelter Muskoka Retreat! Cost is $40 for residents. Sign up at the Front Desk!