Rest a Bit Inc. opened its doors for the first time last night.

It's been a long time coming, but with the Community Foundation of Portage and District awarding Rest a Bit Inc. with a $10,000 grant, as well as gracious donations of beds and bedding by Principle Supply, having a homeless shelter in Portage is now a reality.

Miriam Turyamwijuka is the Board Chair, and she explains the purpose of Rest a Bit Inc. is to fill in the current gaps in services that currently available in Portage.

The shelter is located at Prairie Vineyard Church, at 107 Duke Avenue. Its capacity is six, and anyone wanting to stay there must be referred by either the Canadian Mental Health Association, Youth for Christ, or the Portage Learning and Literacy Centre. Turyamwijuka shares the referral process is easy, adding, the shelter is first come first serve.

Turyamwijuka outlines the shelter is currently open Monday, Wednesday, and Friday evenings. Doors open at 8:00 p.m. and close by 9:00 p.m.

"We would love to be open every single day, but at this time it's just kind of a trial to see what our needs are and how big our needs are," says Turyamwijuka.

She adds, two overnight staff, have been hired. Rest a Bit Inc. is currently only going to be running until mid-August.