$38,000 cheque keeps doors open
Inuvik Firefighters Association makes substantial donation to Inuvik Emergency Warming Centre Society
Stewart Burnett
Northern News Services
Thursday, March 30, 2017
INUVIK
Any donation is welcome at the John Wayne Kiktorak Centre but a $38,000 whopper from the Inuvik Firefighters Association means the shelter can keep its doors open throughout the spring.
The Inuvik Firefighters Association presents a $38,000 cheque to the Inuvik Emergency Warming Centre Society. From left to right are Ray Solotki, treasurer and firefighter; Kathleen Scarf, chair of the warming centre board; Joey Amos, manager of the centre; Jonathon Michel, platoon chief; Mabel R. Brown, warming centre board director; and Samantha Kerr, medic, rehab and secretary with the firefighters. - Stewart Burnett/NNSL photo
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The word "generosity" falls short, said Kathleen Scarf, chair of the Inuvik Emergency Warming Centre Society board.
"On behalf of myself, the board and the residents, we are incredibly grateful to the fire department for their tremendous donation," she said.
The facility, which used to be named the Inuvik Emergency Warming Centre but is now known as the John Wayne Kiktorak Centre, was due to close March 31 if no new funds came in.
"This donation will allow us to not only stay open longer in this cold weather, but it will also allow us to stay open comfortably," said Scarf.
"It's going to be keeping our residents off the streets at night, especially when it's cold. It's going to be keeping them in a warm, safe place with food and a roof over their head for a couple more months."
Hours, staff and expenses all had to be reduced to keep the centre open as long as possible.
Government funding keeps the facility operating during the harshest winter months, but the board is hopeful to make the centre a year-round option for people without homes.
Jonathon Michel, platoon chief with the fire department, said John Wayne Kiktorak, after whom the centre is named, was a firefighter.
"It's been very emotional for us when we think about that over time and this was just a key time we could step in," said Michel.
"When I first joined the fire department, I was looking to serve the community of Inuvik, and it started off in service, basically putting out fires. but I very quickly saw that the possibility to contribute was much more than that."
There are no recent fires, thankfully, continued Michel, so this was an opportunity for firefighters to serve the community in a different way.
"It's very rewarding to take part in something like this and to deliver a message to other citizens that organizations like this need a lot of attention from the community to get it to where it needs to be," he said.
When firefighters realized the centre would be closing its doors without intervention, they decided to step in, said Michel.
"It's really cold right now, still getting to -20, -30 at night, so for basic survival it can be very difficult if people don't have somewhere to go," he said.
Michel hopes to encourage more support for the centre.
"It's not really about us giving something and feeling good," he said. "More is necessary and we're asking for help."
The centre has been averaging 15-18 residents per night. The board is continuing to work to make it a reliable year-round operation.
"We're hoping to look towards the future and putting in for proposals for more funding to keep us open 365 days a year," said Scarf.
