Today in Whitehorse Yukon the temperature could hit -29c. It's appropriate weather to visit a new venture working to keep people safe. A new Community Warming Centre is now open for the winter. It makes new use of space within the Jim Smith building.
During the winter, the building's former cafeteria space offers a safe and warm space. It also provides a connection to supports.
What is the Community Warming Centre?
The new Community Warming Centre is open Monday to Friday from 9 am to 5 pm throughout the Yukon's colder months. With 3 staff members on hand, the centre provides essential services. These include:
- harm reduction supplies (naloxone kits, fentanyl test strips);
- computer and internet access to help manage personal tasks, job searches, and online resources;
- outreach services connecting individuals to social programs like legal aid, mental health care, and social assistance;
- free period products and washroom facilities;
- a supportive social atmosphere, where individuals can connect with peers and engage in activities like reading, games and more; and
- free bus tickets to support transportation needs, with monthly bus passes, are anticipated later in the season.
How many people are using the service?
The warming centre at the Jim Smith building in Whitehorse is proving very useful. Since the Government of Yukon re-opened the centre on November 4, there have been an average of 27 visits per day. The latest count exceeds 274 visits for this season. This is the second year for the warming centre. When a pilot project ran in the spring of 2024, we saw 1,245 visits over 43 days between March 18 to May 17.