As Inn and Out of the Cold wraps up for another year, the program reports lower usage numbers.
WOODSTOCK - Inn and Out of the Cold has wrapped up for the year.
The shelter's total numbers are down; only 58 people were brought in this year. This can be attributed to some people taking advantage of affordable housing throughout the county. Some of the former attendees have also been incarcerated and others have simply moved out of the county.
Coordinator Paul Arsenault tells Heart FM the number of attendees with mental illness has gone up immensely.
"Probably 85 to 90 percent of all the people that come into our shelter now are suffering from mental health issues as well as substance abuse issues and/or both."
The number of women attending the shelter also went up this year. According to Arsenault the DASO shelter only accepts women who are coming out of abusive relationships. Inn and Out of the Cold will accept women in other situations - for example if they can't afford rent.
Although the program has wrapped up for the year, Arsenault says people are welcome to donate to Inn and Out of the Cold year round.
"People can go to the Operation Sharing site at College Ave Church, they can make donations there in care of Inn and Out of the Cold. If it's money through a cheque they can just put it into the mail box 'Inn and Out of the Cold.' That money will go towards providing people with things that they need."
Donations can also be dropped off at St Paul's Anglican Church where Inn and Out of the Cold is located. The money will help purchase toiletries, cleaning supplies, and warm clothing.

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