It will be a shelter from the cold hard rain.

A place to rest in comfort with a warm bowl of soup, watch a little TV, maybe play a game of cards.

Bermuda's street people yesterday received a much needed harbour with the opening of the Salvation Army's new day centre, located adjacent to the Emergency Housing Complex on Parson's Road in Pembroke Parish.

The project, a joint effort between the Salvation Army, the Corporation of the City of Hamilton, and the Ministry of Health and Social Services, is designed to provide emergency day shelter for those needing a meal and will act as a gateway to community services and counselling.

With two scruffy elderly gentlemen parked at their usual Parson's Road perch -- oblivious to the brass band playing Christmas carols -- Divisional Commander Major Alfred Richardson told a small crowd of mostly politicians and civic leaders gathered to cut the ribbon that the project was inspired by the words of Salvation Army founder William Booth: "Do something. We have taken up the challenge and we pray this will become a place of refuge; a place of hope.'' The centre he added, was conceived only two weeks ago and with the cooperation of the City of Hamilton and Government, minor modifications were made to an existing building.

Meanwhile the City of Hamilton's Gina Hook and Alderman David White swung into action, finding sponsors and lining up donations to furnish the lounge area of the centre.

Hamilton Mayor William Boyle, singled out the efforts of the Salvation Army in kick-starting the effort and pledged to continue the cooperation.

"The Salvaion Army has been instrumental; they came to us two weeks ago and said, `we have the room, can you help us furnish it?' "It's a wonderful facility,'' he added, "but the big question is, are they going to use it?'' Minister of Health and Social Services Harry Soares pledged $20,000 to cover operating the centre, a cost he said, made substantially lower because of community cooperation.

Shadow Minister of Health Renee Webb and PLP MP Dr. Ewart Brown both praised the centre but cautioned more had to be done to help those living on the streets.

Since late November Dr. Brown has been spearheading efforts to bring the problems of the homeless into national focus.

The centre is a good start, he told The Royal Gazette , but it's not enough to meet the needs of the Island's growing ranks of homeless youth or psychiatric outpatients.

"We need to focus on two things. First we have to make that daytime activity more productive than recreational,'' he said. "Secondly, this country has examine what it is that leads to the condition of homelessness. What is it in the system that creates homelessness.'' "I salute the people whose energy has come together to create this effort, added Dr. Brown, "but we can't rest now.''