INUVIK
The Inuvik Emergency Warming Centre feels a little bit more like home for its residents after a blessing performed Feb. 16.

Pastor Jon Hansen, left, and Reverend Stephen Martin perform a blessing at the Inuvik Emergency Warming Centre Feb. 16. - photo courtesy of Joey Amos

"Now that we have one, we want to be grateful for it . it meant a lot to the residents. A lot of our guys are struggling, but they still have that relationship with God. It's like planting our flag -- we're established here now," said executive director Joey Amos.

After about three months of operation, the flag has definitely been planted. Amos said the centre sees about 10 regular users, with numbers ballooning to about 16 people on busy nights, depending on the time of the month.

Amos said there are a number of residents he sees turning away from alcohol.

While he said there are sometimes issues with people leaving the entirely dry Inuvik Homeless Shelter for the centre, a closer working relationship with the shelter would help mitigate how often that happens and for how long.

"The first month was so hard," he said.

"By month two they started getting more comfortable. Now, some of the men who were living the lifestyle are now sober three or four days and saying it feels good."

But that level of comfort isn't guaranteed. At present, the centre is a seasonal operation, set to close when the weather warms up.

Still, Amos said he is in search of new funding opportunities that would see the facility open all year round.

"I want to revive Inuvik Works, but it has to happen in steps," he said.

"We need year-round funding first. Once that's confirmed, we can start looking at in-house programming."

One of those programs could include re-opening the doors to the second-hand store in the other half of the Berger building. Amos said he has sent a letter to town council seeking permission to do so.

"We have so many donations of clothes and household items, we can't use them all," he said, gesturing to the shelves loaded with shirts, coats and pants waiting to be sorted.

"It could be a good way for the residents to get a little experience as well . There's a few guys here who are starting to get motivated. That's a victory."