A new temporary day shelter reserved for women opens its doors on Monday in the Downtown Eastside.

The shelter, developed by the United Gospel Mission with the help of the Downtown Eastside Women’s Centre (DEWC), will be open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. for 12 single women and women with children.

UGM spokesperson Keela Keeping said the three-month pilot project aims to keep the women from the DEWC 412 shelter — a nearby emergency night shelter for women — off the street during the day.

UGM will also provide support services and follow-up.

“Being able to give these women the rest, safety, meals and the tangible help that they need is going to be big,” Keeping said, adding that the UGM centre is also transitioning from a drop-in model to a wrap-around model.

This will allow UGM to help women become independent and competent.

Keeping said that if the shelter is successful and funding can be raised, UGM plans to keep the day shelter open year-round.