Langley’s Gateway of Hope is operating at near capacity and providing life skills and career training to dozens of people who might not otherwise get it.
That was the message Major James Hagglund, the Salvation Army officer in charge of the shelter, provided in an update during City council’s televised meeting on Monday night.
“We’ve seen miracles within the last year,” Hagglund told council.
Many people have found jobs while others have been reunited with their families as a result of coming to the shelter, he said.
Hagglund told council the Gateway of Hope has been well used since it opened its doors in November of 2009 with occupancy at over 91 per cent capacity — 9,998 bed-nights used out of a possible 10,950.
Thanks to inclement weather during the last few months, the emergency shelter has operated at near capacity, he added, with 193 beds used during nights that were -2 degrees or colder.
Hagglund also touched on some of the longer-term programs offered at Gateway of Hope.
Gateway’s Opportunities Program, which is designed to be a major stepping stone in the drug and alcohol recovery process, has 13 beds for women and 12 beds for men.
People who’ve been told by society that they have no value are finding hope and learning skills that can carry them into a better future, Hagglund told council.
The cook training course has been popular, as well, he said.
The cost to take part in the 20-week course is $950.
Hagglund acknowledged that is a lot of money for some people.
“If a person is in need (of financial help to pay for the course) we work with them and find ways,” he said.
Hagglund also suggested that local businesses — restaurants in particular — consider setting up scholarships for cook training students.
Asked by Councillor Dave Hall whether there is an opportunity with Gateway to provide a drug and alcohol detox program, Hagglund said there has been some discussion about possible ambulatory addictions treatment (as opposed to in-patient care) but he stressed that any such program is only in its infancy and is at least a year down the road.
“It’s envisioned, but it’s not positively going to happen,” he said.
The Salvation Army has opened detox centres in other communities, Hagglund said, but the Langley shelter doesn’t have space for one.
“It would have to be in a separate facility,” he added.
Mayor Peter Fassbender noted that there is a nearby residential detox facility in Surrey, which is run by Fraser Health Authority and is connected to a medical facility.
Gateway of Hope is a low-barrier shelter, meaning people can come in while under the influence of drugs and alcohol, but are not permitted to use on the premises.
“There’s a place for them as long as they don’t create havoc — and not many of them do,” Hagglund said.
