(L-R) Janet Bonello - Ontario Works, Dara Meades - Hearts to Home, Kathy Dellow - CMHA Thames Valley, Andrea Loohuizen - Volunteer Coordinator at the Connection Centre
The Lunch and Learn event held at the Connection Centre on Friday, (October 13), proved to be a resounding success, drawing the attention of individuals from the community to the vital work carried out by this center.
The Connection Centre plays a crucial role in assisting unhoused individuals in our community. It provides a safe space for them to access essential services, such as meals, showers, laundry facilities, and support for programs like Ontario Works and CMHA Thames Valley. In addition to these services, the center distributes up to 130 food hampers each week, comprising staple items, home-cooked frozen meals, and toiletries.
Common themes surfaced during the presentations of service workers, highlighting barriers to access, including the absence of government identification, the cost of housing, and the lack of childcare services, making it difficult for individuals to secure employment. These obstacles were acknowledged by all participants.
Janet Bonello, Case Manager for the County of Huron Ontario Works Department, pointed out that Ontario Works has not grown sufficiently in relation to inflation since the 1990s, underscoring the need for more support.
Loohuizen shared her experience with many clients in the centre.
She also mentioned that lack of childcare is a huge barrier for people seeking jobs, with many people missing out on work opportunities due to lack of options for their families.
Andrea Loohuizen, Volunteer Coordinator at the Connection Centre expressed that the Connection Centre serves as a hub for many services, including mental health and government support – with the interconnectivity of service providers allowing for a seamless transition.
Ryan Erb, Executive Director of United Way Perth-Huron, addressed the challenges related to access and the shortage of affordable housing options in the area.
Erb spoke of systemic barriers to care that are being addressed on many levels of government.
Erb emphasized that it is more cost-effective to house people than to provide support, but there is a lack of political will to pursue this approach.
He also shared an uplifting story of an unhoused individual who sought help at the center after being sprayed by a skunk on the day of a job interview. Thanks to the center’s assistance, he cleaned up, received clean clothes, took a shower, and secured his job.
If you’d like more information on the centre, they’re always looking for volunteers, and they also host community lunches every Thursday – you can meet the people served by the centre, service providers, and other members of the community. Food is completely by donation.
Written by: B. Shakyaver