In terms of what we saw initially in Windsor-Essex during the first phase of COVID, it was quiet. Our crisis calls from women who were reaching out and wanting to access shelter were quiet—to the point where it was scary that they weren't reaching out. I think this was because there were so many unknowns and fear and the fact that they are being told to stay home, not knowing what was happening with COVID and the mixed messaging.
Once the restrictions started to lift, we did see a surge in calls and a surge in women accessing our shelter but also all of our outreach services. Obviously we had to suspend some of our outreach services in person, but we continue to provide them virtually. Our shelter has been open, and we continue.
The problem we're encountering is capacity. As you know, population-wise, we do not have enough beds to adequately accommodate women and children. We have 42 beds for all of Windsor-Essex County. The provincial government did help us access a hotel. At one point pre-COVID, we were turning women away because we didn't have beds.
This is where you can help me. Together in Windsor-Essex County, our population is over 400,000. When you look at the stats we are so underserviced. I know we're not the only community. I urge, in every community, all politicians and the government to provide more resources, not just for shelters and community-based services but for all services because there just isn't enough to meet the demand. We do everything. We safety plan with every women, but we cannot always provide adequate shelter space for them.
I hope I've answered your questions.