Newly renovated space at Old St. Paul’s Anglican Church in Woodstock expands the number of people served through Operation Sharing’s homeless shelter

More than 25 new beds have added to Oxford County’s emergency overnight shelter through an initiative between Operation Sharing (The Inn), Old St Paul’s Anglican Church and Oxford County, helping more people in crisis.

The expanded space at The Inn at 723 Dundas Street Woodstock opens its doors today, offering 25 additional emergency overnight beds in the community, along with meal, clothing, shower and washroom access between the hours of 4:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m.

The emergency shelter uses space in the church that was renovated and is being rented and staffed through Operation Sharing with additional funding from Ontario’s Homelessness Prevention Program.

The expansion doubles the number of people who can be sheltered at The Inn in Woodstock. In 2023, The Inn hosted an average of 24 guests each night, with 237 individuals overall using the service last year.

Oxford’s community partners are working together to address the roots of homelessness to reduce the number of those experiencing homelessness and the need to access emergency shelter. This includes:

• Work by Operation Sharing and The Inn at Old St. Paul’s to provide a safe and supportive environment for individuals who are experiencing homelessness, and to reduce the number of people to who need to access emergency shelter.
• Work through Safe and Well Oxford’s Oxford Housing Action Collaborative, a coalition of community partners that is building an Affordable Housing Action Plan.
• Oxford County’s 10-Year Shelter Plan and Master Housing Strategy that: focuses on programs to increase Oxford’s social housing options, such as transitional, supportive and affordable housing; works with community partners to support unhoused people through a range of services and supports, including funding a 24-hour/7-day-a-week shelter; and, advocates for increased funding from provincial and federal governments.  

Operation Sharing also provides emergency overnight shelter at Out of the Cold in Tillsonburg at 60 Harvey Street from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m. in partnership with Avondale United Church and with additional funding from Ontario’s Homelessness Prevention Program.

Anyone in need of emergency shelter should register in person at The Inn in Woodstock starting at 4:00 p.m. or at 7:00 p.m. at Out of the Cold in Tillsonburg.

Comment

“We are so pleased to be able to offer an additional 25 emergency beds and expanded space at The Inn. This will allow more Oxford County residents that are experiencing homelessness a safe, warm, and dignified place to sleep. We are thankful for the partnership with Oxford County and Old St. Paul’s Church in bringing this to fruition.”

   Sheri Vindasius, Executive Director, Operation Sharing 

“On behalf of Old St. Paul’s Anglican Church, we are pleased to be a partner in the expansion of this critical ministry for the residents of Oxford County.”

   John Maddox, Churchwarden, Old St. Paul's Anglican Church Woodstock

“The needs of vulnerable and unhoused populations can only be met by working together, with thanks to The Inn and Old St. Paul’s for their tremendous leadership. This project marks a significant service expansion that will allow us to offer emergency support to more people, with more opportunities for people to access other services.”

   Warden Marcus Ryan, Oxford County

Images

Photo 1 - The INN expansion March 2024  
Photo 2 - The INN expansion March 2024  
Photo 3 - The INN expansion March 2024

Quick facts

Effective April 2022, all municipalities providing housing and homelessness services are required by the Government of Ontario to maintain a By-Name List of people experiencing homelessness to better connect them to the services and supports they need. The following facts are from Oxford County’s By-Name, List updated to February 2024.

• As of February 2023, a total of 230 individuals had been on Oxford County’s By-Name List as experiencing homelessness.
• An average of 10 first-time individuals per month were added to the By-Name List each month over 2023.
• Since April 2023, 47 individuals from the By-Name List have been moved into more permanent housing.

About Operation Sharing 

Operation Sharing is a non-profit organization that provides services to the homeless community through a donation-based homeless shelter. Its mission is to help those in need by providing a safe and supportive environment for individuals who are experiencing homelessness. The shelter provides a range of services, including meals, clothing, hygiene items, and access to medical care. Operation Sharing is able to carry out its work through donations of money, food, clothing, and other items. Volunteers are also needed to help with various tasks, such as serving meals, sorting items, and assisting with fundraising events. For more information visit www.operationsharing.ca.

About Old St. Paul’s Anglican Church 

Located at 723 Dundas Street in the City of Woodstock, Old St. Paul’s is celebrating its 190^th anniversary in June of this year, offering outreach ministries and, over the past two decades, focusing efforts on assisting the homeless, hosting Oxford County’s first homeless shelter. Old St. Paul’s church at 723 Dundas Street in Woodstock is an early example of the Gothic Revival style in Ontario church architecture. The exterior of the building and select elements of the interior, as well as the scenic character of the property, are protected by an Ontario Heritage Trust conservation easement (1986) and is also designated by the City of Woodstock under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act (Bylaw 5256-76). For more information on Old St. Paul’s activities visit https://oldstpauls.com/outreach/.

About Oxford County 

Located in the heart of southwestern Ontario at the crossroads of Highways 401 and 403, Oxford County has a population of approximately 135,000 people across eight area municipalities that are “growing stronger together.” As a partnership-oriented, two-tier municipal government, Oxford County’s Strategic Plan commits to Promoting community vitality, Enhancing environmental sustainability, and Fostering progressive government. Oxford County is situated in one of Ontario’s richest areas for farmland, with an agricultural industry that supports innovation, sustainability and a diversified local economy. Oxford County offers a thriving local arts, culture and culinary community, as well as conservation parks, natural areas and more than 100 kilometres of scenic trails. The Oxford County Administration Building is located in Woodstock, Ontario. Visit www.oxfordcounty.ca, follow us on social media, or download our Facts and Stats to learn more.