
10/25/2021
Tackling the homeless and at-risk-of homeless issues in a more effective way.
As everyone has no doubt heard by now, the Ga Beh Shoo In Men's Shelter has closed its beds. Although it was an emotional moment for all of us who have devoted the blood, sweat, and tears to build the shelter up over the last 15 or so years, rest assured, we are still here to provide necessary services to the ever-growing numbers of homeless or at-risk-of homeless in our area.
The downside of operating a Men's shelter is the fact that all of our funding, resources, and staff were focused solely on maintaining 5 beds while we are being forced to leave many out in the cold who are escaping an unlivable situation, couch surfing, or sacrificing the necessities of life in order to pay rents that Ontario Works or ODSP in no way can come close to covering. Not only men, but women and families as well.
After a lengthy review of our operations, it was decided in September that we should focus more on the entire homeless population rather than only men. We are focusing on assisting our homeless by supporting some of the basics while clients are temporarily in a shelter-type situation or staying with friends or family until more acceptable housing becomes available.
Say hello to The Reaching Home Program. This program still provides the basics of what we've been doing all along. We supply emergency food supplies, emergency clothing, a temporary mailing address, phone usage, computer usage, access to district housing services, referral to shelters if needed, outreach, and more.
We focus on why our clients are homeless and assist in removing barriers that keep clients from getting a place of their own. We also follow up regularly to ensure that everything is going well once a client is housed.
Our new approach will also focus on homelessness prevention. Many of our fellow community members are dangerously close to becoming homeless for a plethora of reasons. We now have the opportunity to assist with that.
As COVID-19 restrictions loosen, we will eventually begin healthy meal services such as soup and sandwiches during certain days, access to donated clothing when need be, or transportation supports for those meeting program criteria.
And, as with every other Ininew Friendship Centre Program, once you are signed up with us, you'll have access to so many other Ininew Programs such as Apatisiwin, Health Outreach, Life Long Care, Family Support and so much more.
This is a new approach to how we combat homelessness and we appreciate all of the support that we have recieved from when the homelessness program began almost 15 years ago.
Rest assured, we are still here, and we're still fighting homelessness. Help us put an end to homelessness once and for all.