Shelter Now
Maureen introduced Cassandra, the development officer at Shelter Now. She's a graduate of the fund raising program, is a first aid instructor and volunteer with St. John's Ambulance, and Sonia who has been the community support worker since 2009 but is currently acting Executive Director. She's a Midland natvie and the mother of two sons.
Sonia said we have an image of homelessness - bums on the street - but it is more complicated and pervasisve than that. Many people are at risk of losing their homes or are inadequately housed. Shelter Now has 20 units that offers a transition to people from Penetang, Midland, Tiny and Tay and Christian Island. They get referrals from all over as well as walk ins. They house men and women, families and single parents with children, whether men or women. Many have mental health issues, some are just burned out. Prospective residents have to be ready to work with the team - they have to be dry and sober and getting healthy because someone drunk can be a trigger for others.
Staff help clients identify their concerns, assist them with finding funding and dealing with mental health issues, work with families on their individual needs and developing their life skills and do case management. They encourage clients to work on personal development, to be accountable for themselves, to work towards healthy living through opportunities at the Y. They do outreach with people on the waiting list to try to get them settled before they have to move in - proactive - and do outreach to graduates to help them maintain their new status and stability. They are trying to develop more community awareness - both by educating the community about their work and by introducing their clients to the bigger community and its opportunities.
Cassandra explained that the facility is very structured - there are rules that create a supportive environment. Usually it takes more than 6 months to really get someone thinking differently - a client can stay for a year - but over the 5 years they have been there they have 'transitioned' 118 people into better circumstances, people who are now able to support themselves. A few are asked to leave - only two so far this year - if they present a risk to others.
They do receive funding from a variety of sources but they do fundraising too. This year will see the 2nd annual Bowl for Beds where school children participate in a session that informs them a bit about the problems some people face and then they decorate a clay bowl which is fired and sold filled with soup. 15 restaurants are participating by providing the soup on Sunday, April 27. There will be a silent auction, live music and etc. Their goal is $20,000.00.
A couple of years ago they bought the land next door for a Phase 2 but anticipated government funding fell through so they are still working on that. They are already the largest such facility in Simcoe - they have 20 beds and the next one has only 8. They would be glad to welcome visitors and if you phone ahead you can schedule a tour. Meet the team and some of the two dozen or so residents on site. Now's not the best time but the community garden, which Rotary contributed to and which Home Depot supports with plants and training, is well established and supplies a lot of food. The hope to build a greenhouse, they have a park like sitting area and residents participate in gardening, shopping, planning and preparation of meals.
They thanked the Club for its support and encouraged members to visit.