New emergency shelter offers Christmas dinners to vulnerable Edmontonians
The Care Point Wellness Centre interior on Dec. 23, 2024. (Miriam Valdes-Carletti/CTV News Edmonton)
Edmonton's newest emergency shelter is hosting its first Christmas dinner for those in need.
The Care Point Wellness Centre, located at 14830 124 Ave., opened in October but was met with controversy over it being too far from vulnerable Edmontonians.
Tim Pasma, the director of programs with Hope Mission, said he's seen "a high utilization rate" from the shelter.
"We wanted to add more shelter beds into Edmonton, and especially before this winter, because we knew we would see more people than we've ever seen before, and that's what we've seen. It's been extremely busy," Pasma told CTV News Edmonton on Monday.
Hope Mission provides Christmas meals four times throughout December at their various shelters around the city.
"We really wanted to do a special Christmas dinner with all the fixings, a special turkey dinner, just to welcome everybody that's here to also tell them that … they're worth it, they're dignified and we're supporting them," said Pasma.
He said the heart of the mission is "hope begins with a meal."
The Care Point Wellness Centre has 120 beds available and offers a place to sleep, eat, shower, do laundry and a shuttle to bring people to the premises. It also offers wraparound support and immigration services for those new to Canada.
Some staying at the emergency shelter stated they don't mind how far it is from downtown.
"It's a perfect location because there's not too many temptations for other people," said Tony Blyan, a guest at the shelter.
"I have found respite … most of our basic needs are met and that just allows you to pick yourself up and find the strength to get back on your feet," said Ferdinand Ferdinand, another shelter user. "Even though we're away from family and (at) our lowest points, just being part of something, that puts a holiday cheer in our hearts."
With files from CTV News Edmonton's Miriam Valdes-Carletti
Shopping Trends
The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING
BREAKING 5 rescued after avalanche triggered north of Whistler, B.C. RCMP say
Emergency crews and heli-skiing staff helped rescue five people who were caught up in a backcountry avalanche north of Whistler, B.C., on Monday morning.
Quebec fugitive killed in Mexican resort town, RCMP say
RCMP are confirming that a fugitive, Mathieu Belanger, wanted by Quebec provincial police has died in Mexico, in what local media are calling a murder.
Bill Clinton hospitalized with a fever but in good spirits, spokesperson says
Former President Bill Clinton was admitted Monday to Georgetown University Medical Center in Washington after developing a fever.
Trump again calls to buy Greenland after eyeing Canada and the Panama Canal
First it was Canada, then the Panama Canal. Now, Donald Trump again wants Greenland. The president-elect is renewing unsuccessful calls he made during his first term for the U.S. to buy Greenland from Denmark, adding to the list of allied countries with which he's picking fights even before taking office.
Pioneering Métis human rights advocate Muriel Stanley Venne dies at 87
Muriel Stanley Venne, a trail-blazing Métis woman known for her Indigenous rights advocacy, has died at 87.
King Charles ends royal warrants for Ben & Jerry's owner Unilever and Cadbury chocolatiers
King Charles III has ended royal warrants for Cadbury and Unilever, which owns brands including Marmite and Ben & Jerry’s, in a blow to the household names.
Man faces murder charges in death of woman who was lit on fire in New York City subway
A man is facing murder charges in New York City for allegedly setting a woman on fire inside a subway train and then watching her die after she was engulfed in flames, police said Monday.
Canada regulator sues Rogers for alleged misleading claims about data offering
Canada's antitrust regulator said on Monday it was suing Rogers Communications Inc, for allegedly misleading consumers about offering unlimited data under some phone plans.
Multiple OnlyFans accounts featured suspected child sex abuse, investigator reports
An experienced child exploitation investigator told Reuters he reported 26 accounts on the popular adults-only website OnlyFans to authorities, saying they appeared to contain sexual content featuring underage teen girls.
Calgary
-
Low Canadian dollar a 'double-edged sword' as more Americans travel north: economist
A Calgary economist says the low Canadian dollar is a mixed blessing, with data showing that more Americans are travelling north to make the most of their spending.
-
Taxpayers Federation unveils its annual spending 'Naughty and Nice List'
A media president and the Prime Minister have topped the Canadian Taxpayers Federation’s annual 'Taxpayer Naughty List' for 2024.
-
Roughriders acquire quarterback Maier's rights from Stampeders for '25 draft pick
The Saskatchewan Roughriders acquired the rights to veteran quarterback Jake Maier from the Calgary Stampeders on Monday for a 2025 eighth-round draft pick.
Lethbridge
-
'20 per cent increase': Interfaith Food Bank helps more than 900 households this holiday season
The last food bundles are heading out the door ahead of Christmas Day, as the Interfaith Food Bank nears the threshold of helping 1,000 households this holiday season.
-
Lethbridge Polytechnic announces new education and training opportunities for police
Lethbridge Polytechnic is taking steps to strengthen education and training opportunities for future police cadet graduates.
-
Milk River emergency department shuttered through Thursday
Alberta Health Services says the Milk River emergency department has temporarily closed due to a lack of physician coverage.
Saskatoon
-
'There are lines': In year-end interview, NDP leader says Moe went too far in election campaign
Saskatchewan’s two main political leaders had agreed before October's provincial election not to target the families of candidates during the campaign, says Opposition NDP Leader Carla Beck.
-
Sask. RCMP on the scene of rollover on Highway 40
The Saskatchewan RCMP said Highway 40 was closed Monday afternoon following a rollover just west of Hafford, a village just under 100 kilometres northwest of Saskatoon.
-
Saskatoon woman arrested following machete attack
A 55-year-old woman was arrested following a stabbing with a machete early Monday morning.
Regina
-
'A nice way to connect': Christmas card exchange between Sask. friends spans 60 years
What started out as a little holiday fun between two Regina friends has turned into a tradition that now spans six decades.
-
Dog lost in Saskatchewan during cross-country trip reunited with family
A family moving from Ontario to Alberta in November had a scare when their family dog got loose during a stop in Dafoe, Sask. and ran away.
-
Estevan police officer arrested following SIRT investigation
An officer of the Estevan Police Service (EPS) is facing several charges following an investigation by the province’s police oversight agency.
Vancouver
-
BREAKING
BREAKING 5 rescued after avalanche triggered north of Whistler, B.C. RCMP say
Emergency crews and heli-skiing staff helped rescue five people who were caught up in a backcountry avalanche north of Whistler, B.C., on Monday morning.
-
Court rules B.C. law to push through Vancouver housing project is unconstitutional
The B.C. Court of Appeal says a law passed by the provincial government to stave off opposition to a supportive housing development in the Vancouver neighbourhood of Kitsilano is unconstitutional.
-
Cleanup underway after rockslide derails train in B.C.
No injuries were reported after a rockslide derailed a freight train, sending railcars into British Columbia's Fraser River, on Sunday night.
Vancouver Island
-
BREAKING
BREAKING 5 rescued after avalanche triggered north of Whistler, B.C. RCMP say
Emergency crews and heli-skiing staff helped rescue five people who were caught up in a backcountry avalanche north of Whistler, B.C., on Monday morning.
-
Cleanup underway after rockslide derails train in B.C.
No injuries were reported after a rockslide derailed a freight train, sending railcars into British Columbia's Fraser River, on Sunday night.
-
Court rules B.C. law to push through Vancouver housing project is unconstitutional
The B.C. Court of Appeal says a law passed by the provincial government to stave off opposition to a supportive housing development in the Vancouver neighbourhood of Kitsilano is unconstitutional.
Toronto
-
DEVELOPINGDEVELOPING Parts of Ontario under snowfall warning Monday as holiday travellers hit the road
Holiday travellers and commuters could be in for a messy drive on Monday morning as a significant round of snowfall moves into the region. Here are live updates on the situation in Toronto.
-
Everything you need to know about what’s open on Christmas in the GTA
Here's what you need to know about what's open and closed in the GTA over the Christmas holidays.
-
Pedestrian taken to hospital after being struck by vehicle in Forest Hill
A male pedestrian was rushed to the hospital after being struck by the driver of a vehicle in Toronto's Forest Hill area Monday night.
Montreal
-
Quebec fugitive killed in Mexican resort town, RCMP say
RCMP are confirming that a fugitive, Mathieu Belanger, wanted by Quebec provincial police has died in Mexico, in what local media are calling a murder.
-
Guzzo Group says it wants to protect its 500 employees
Although the Guzzo Group is currently in turmoil, it is reassuring its employees and customers about the year ahead.
-
Snow on the way as Montreal is put under weather advisory
A weather advisory has been initiated for the Greater Montreal area, with 10 to 15 cm of snow expected to hit the ground.
Atlantic
-
Court of appeal certifies class action lawsuit against health authority, former nurse
A New Brunswick mother who is the lead plaintiff in a court case has received an early Christmas gift after the province’s top court certified her class-action lawsuit.
-
No need to dream, White Christmas all but assured in the Maritimes
An early nor'easter followed by a low-pressure system moving into the region all but ensure a Maritime White Christmas
-
CTV’s Katie Kelly solves decades old mystery involving “anchor” tattoo
It’s been almost two decades since a 21-year-old man from New Glasgow, N.S., got a tattoo of CTV’s Bruce Frisko, but it’s a piece of Maritime history that hasn’t been forgotten.
Winnipeg
-
An alleged sniper, pair of animal claims featured on MPI’s top five fraud list for 2024
From hitting animals that weren’t there to a sniper that didn’t exist, Manitoba Public Insurance has released its top five frauds of 2024.
-
Manitoba government to make permanent cut to gas tax
Manitobans can expect to see a permanent change at the gas pump as early as next week
-
Winnipeg police arrest corrections officer following sexual assault of a youth
A corrections officer at a “youth custody facility” has been arrested following a number of sexual assaults against a youth.
Ottawa
-
Traffic dispute threatens to dampen holiday spirit on Taffy Lane
A visit to Ottawa's Taffy Lane in Orléans is a staple this time of year, but a dispute amongst neighbours over traffic congestion is threatening to dim the magic of the holidays for one neighbour.
-
Ottawa mayor speaks on transit funding, federal turmoil in year-end interview
Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe spoke with CTV News on a variety of issues, including transit, the city budget and political turmoil on Parliament Hill in a year-end interview.
-
SNOWFALL WARNING
SNOWFALL WARNING Pre-Christmas storm forecasted in Ottawa with up to 20 cm of snow tonight
Environment Canada has issued a snowfall warning for Ottawa and parts of eastern Ontario with a snowstorm in the forecast Monday afternoon and into the evening.
Northern Ontario
-
Fatal snowmobile crash in northern Ont. near Parry Sound
A 30-year-old has died following a snowmobile crash near Parry Sound on Sunday.
-
Teen passed out at coffee shop with bottle of booze on the table, northern Ont. police say
A 19-year-old from Blind River is facing several charges following incidents at a coffee shop and in jail.
-
Man charged with damaging downtown Sudbury eatery
A man free on probation has been charged with causing significant damage to a restaurant on Elgin Street in downtown Sudbury over the weekend.
Barrie
-
Several collisions reported along Highway 11 as driving conditions deteriorate
Highway 11 was closed briefly in Oro-Medonte on Monday afternoon as driving conditions deteriorated, causing multiple collisions.
-
Theft, vehicle break-ins, and fraud top police reports during holidays
Police in Barrie are urging residents to be vigilant this holiday season, as theft, theft from vehicles, and fraud consistently rank as the most reported crimes during this time of year.
-
Student charged, firearms seized after threats against school: police
Police say officers found several firearms during a search at a teen’s home after he allegedly made violent threats against a secondary school.
Kitchener
-
Parts of southern Ontario under travel advisory
Anyone planning to travel today is being urged to be prepared as 5 to 15 cm of snow could hit a large portion of southern Ontario.
-
Beloved bookstore in Uptown Waterloo forced to close for months following fire
A beloved bookstore in Uptown Waterloo is bearing the brunt of some holiday misfortune.
-
Must-see moments of 2024: A superstar surprise, roundabout resident and CKCO studios come down
From a WWE surprise for a Guelph superfan, to the recovery of a lost aviation artifact, to a reporter getting the story right from the goose's mouth, here are some of our can’t-miss moments from 2024.
London
-
NEWNEW Blast of Ontario snow brings weather warnings, signs of white Christmas
A white Christmas is forecasted for parts of Ontario as winter weather and snowfall sweeps across the province Monday.
-
91-year-old harness driver victorious at The Raceway in London, Ont.
A 91-year-old harness driver raced his way to victory on Friday night with his horse, Willy Strike.
-
SIU concludes LPS was justified in striking a man in August arrest
Following an incident in August, the province’s police watchdog has concluded that a London Police Service officer did not commit a criminal offense.
Windsor
-
Restaurant staff aid in rescue of two men that fell into the frigid waters of the Detroit River
Windsor police say that shortly before 9:00 p.m. on Dec. 20, officers were called after a man fell into the water while standing too close to the marina wall. A second man jumped in to help him.
-
'It’s really an eye-opener': volunteers bring holiday meals to Chatham residents
For the second year in a row, a crew of volunteers is fanning out across Chatham, bringing holiday meals to those who need them most.
-
Child luring investigation sees Windsor resident charged
According to Essex OPP, 45-year-old Sean Oulette is facing charges of luring a person under 16 years of age by means of telecommunication.
