As the temperatures drop and more and more people are living outside in sites and encampments, the community can help support those without shelter by extending compassion, says the manager of the homeless shelter in Lindsay.
A Place Called Home (APCH) took to social media recently with a message for the public on how to help those living outdoors in the City of Kawartha Lakes.
As the number of people without housing grows in the greater Kawarthas region and elsewhere, APCH is also seeing a rise in community interest related to supporting those in need.
“I think the most important thing that we can ask our community to do is to be kind and patient,” APCH’s shelter manager Nicole Bryant told kawarthaNOW.
“Be kind and patient with those living outside and with the agencies trying to deliver services to support this group. We are in the midst of a housing crisis, and everyone is working really hard to try to piece together temporary supports while permanent solutions are worked on.”
Community members who want to make donations or help those living outdoors in other ways should connect with APCH to ensure what is being offered meets the need, Bryant said.
Many caring and concerned residents are aware that there are a number of individuals living in encampments/tents in our…
Posted by A Place Called Home on Wednesday, November 13, 2024
“There has been a huge response from the community, and we are incredibly grateful,” Bryant said. “Our storage is filled to the brim with warm blankets, sleeping bags, and tents so please don’t be discouraged if we aren’t able to accept your donation. It’s only because the community has come together and met the need, and that’s actually a great problem to have.”
APCH has asked residents to avoid dropping off items at local sites and encampments.
“I know that this request has rubbed people the wrong way — to be clear, we are not trying to gatekeep or control the situation,” she said. “We are trying to protect those living in certain sites or spots from being forced to leave or move. If a site becomes unmanageable, in terms of cleanliness or an abundance of items, bylaw (officers) will become involved and, if the individual has no way to discard the items, then their site will be taken down.”
“We know that the community is trying to be helpful, and we don’t want to discourage the outpouring of support — we just want folks to be able to remain where they are until housing options become available for them,” Bryant added.
Those living outdoors can stop by APCH at 64 Lindsay St. S. and access the shelter’s daily drop-in service from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. People can use the facilities, have a shower, do laundry, make phone calls, and stay for a meal.
Most importantly, Bryant said, people can connect with staff and work towards housing solutions.
“While APCH cannot offer a mobile service to attend to the sites or encampments where folks are living, we work with a team of other agencies who can and do make visits multiple times each week. They check in with everyone, assess their needs and direct them as appropriate,” she noted.
“It is imperative that folks living outdoors attach themselves to services for help with along their housing journey. We want to make sure everyone is on every housing list and has every opportunity to change their current living situation.”
APCH operates a 19-bed emergency shelter and provides homeless outreach and support programs in the City of Kawartha Lakes and Haliburton County. For more information about APCH and available services, visit www.apch.ca.
