THUNDER BAY — After several days of temperatures in the high 30s, many, including those in encampments, will welcome a break in the heat.
Holly Gauvin, the executive director at Elevate NWO, said it's been a tough week for many of their clients.
"We've seen a lot of people in here with heat exhaustion.
"A lot of people who are on medications that do not do well with the sun can cause some really serious complications, so we're working closely with EMS. Our medical team here is responding to people as needed."
The doors at Elevate NWO open at 10 a.m. and offer coffee and lunch during the day until 4 p.m. Gauvin said they've certainly seen an increase in clients this week.
"This week has averaged about 115 a day," she said.
"Food is a big thing for us. Making sure people have hydration, hooking people up with things like hats and sunscreen . . .
"When somebody presents with some sort of medical emergency, we're responding to those things in whatever is the most appropriate way and just trying to keep people cool and comfortable and as healthy as they can be in difficult circumstances."
Gauvin added that often people will come in multiple times a day to take a break from the outdoors. However, they are only counted once.
Elevate NWO is located on Cumberland Street and acts as a drop-in/cooling centre for the north end of the city. PACE Thunder Bay, on Victoria Avenue East, is located on the city's south side.
Katie Nicholls is a Local Journalism Initiative Reporter with Newswatch
