Homelessness in Perth County a topic of conversation at upcoming public event
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With the holiday season in full swing and generosity on the minds of many, Stratford’s social services officials want to shine a light on their efforts to assist those in the community experiencing homelessness.
A education session about homelessness is taking place at the Pyramid Recreation Centre in St. Marys on Tuesday beginning at 6:30 p.m. The event, organizers said, is an opportunity to learn what homelessness is, what’s being done to address it, and what community members can do if they’d like to help.
“We’re looking for a supportive response from businesses and residents,” said Kim McElroy, the director of social services in Stratford, the Perth County city that oversees those programs throughout the region. “I think in general people want to help. I want to ensure that people do have an overview of the services and programs that are available. Sometimes that gets missed, educating the public about what we are doing locally.”
There are signs that cost of living increases driven by high inflation and other economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic are being felt in Perth County as they are elsewhere across the province and the country.
A Stratford food bank reported last week, for example, a 30 per cent increase in demand this year compared to data from January to November of 2021.
“This has a different feel to it than it has in the past,” Stratford House of Blessing director Theresa McMurray said Thursday, a couple of days before launching the not-for-profit’s holiday food drive. “The increases that we’re seeing this year are overwhelming a little bit on an emotional level, never mind the tangible level of it.”
Demand for the social services Stratford offers in Perth County is also up, McElroy said.
“Yes, we are seeing an increased need for life stability services as a result of the pandemic,” she said. “Many matters are quite complex and so, sometimes, it does take a multi-team collaborative approach to address their needs.”
Some of the homeless response programs that will be outlined at next week’s event include a short-term emergency accommodation program, a prevention program that provides funds to assist eligible residents with moving costs, and efforts to provide outreach to individuals and families at risk of or experiencing homelessness.
In St. Marys specifically, the town recently announced the hiring of Brittany Petrie, its new community outreach worker. That position – created last year through partnerships with various social services providers – is designed specifically to help the town’s most vulnerable people navigate the region’s social services network.
“As the weather gets colder, homelessness is becoming more apparent in St. Marys,” Petrie said this week. “One of the first steps in creating change and challenging stigma around homelessness is to be educated.”
Despite logistical issues that put the community outreach worker role on pause following the departure of Petrie’s predecessor, many officials have considered the pilot project a success.
“We are looking at whether this initiative will benefit other areas of the county,” McElroy said.
In the meantime, she’s hoping Tuesday’s event is informative.
“Hopefully it’s well attended and (residents) learn more about the services that are currently available and what they can do to support these individuals,” she said.
The event will be recorded and shared on the Town of St. Marys YouTube channel for anyone who isn’t able to attend.
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