United Way Perth-Huron with the support of the Canadian Mental Health Association Huron Perth (CMHA HP) is launching a fundraising campaign to establish the Goderich Connection Centre: a welcoming space where people experiencing homelessness, housing instability, poverty, mental health challenges, addictions and social isolation can access supports.

Building on the success of existing connection centres in Exeter, Stratford and Wingham, the project is being led by United Way with support from CMHA HP, which will operate the centre.

The proposed centre will be housing-focused and voluntary. It will offer access to basic needs including food, showers, laundry facilities, warming and cooling relief and a safe place to spend time. Trained staff will also help connect participants to on-site and longer-term supports including housing resources, health-care services, mental health and addiction supports.

“Connection centres work because they remove barriers to access and meet people where they are,” said Ryan Erb, CEO of United Way Perth-Huron “People can walk into a connection centre and find a sense of belonging, along with access to supports that can help them move toward permanent housing and stability.”

CMHA HP has played a key role in the development of the project, drawing on more than five years’ experience operating United Way Connection Centres in Stratford and Wingham.

In addition to operating the centre, CMHA HP will also have their offices in the building to offer services alongside their work through the connection centre. Having CMHA HP and connection centre services under one roof reduces barriers, simplifies referrals and strengthens coordination. Clients can access a broad range of supports as their needs change, building trusted relationships and creating a more seamless pathway out of homelessness.

“We are excited about another opportunity to partner with United Way to support the most vulnerable citizens in our communities,” said Catherine Hardman, CEO of CMHA HP. “This is an excellent opportunity for CMHA to have a space to support all our programs and integrate care for all our clients.”

Collaboration is critical for the Goderich Connection Centre to succeed. UWPH has consulted with local partners including the Town of Goderich, Huron County, Lakeshore United Church, Artemis Huron, Huron Safe Homes for Youth and Alexandra Marine and General Hospital. These partnerships are intended to ensure the centre complements existing services.

“No single organization can address the complex barriers that contribute to chronic homelessness,” added Erb. “This project is built on collaboration and reflects our shared commitment to helping vulnerable local people.”

To open the centre, a total of $906,000 is needed to renovate the building and support its first year of operation. Renovations include adding private meeting rooms, staff offices, accessible showers and washrooms, laundry facilities, storage areas and a small commercial kitchen.

Homelessness and housing instability continue to be growing concerns across Huron County. According to the community’s By-Name List, 74 people are currently experiencing homelessness in Goderich, although local partners believe the actual number may be higher because some people living rough or precariously housed are difficult to reach. Nearly 40 per cent are considered high acuity and may require intensive, wraparound medical, mental health, substance-use and psychiatric supports.

In addition to fundraising, UWPH is also looking for community support as it works to secure a Learning and Engagement Accelerator Fund (L.E.A.F.) grant from The Commonwell Mutual Insurance Group.

Since 2021, the L.E.A.F. program has supported community-led projects that strengthen learning, engagement, capacity and resilience across Ontario. The program has invested more than $2.6 million in 88 projects since its inception.

To support UWPH’s efforts to secure L.E.A.F. funding to help with project development, people are encouraged to visit the UWPH website to learn more about the grant itself, along with instructions on how to support the connection centre project.

Ways to support the Goderich Connection Centre grant application include:

• A story sharing how someone you care about could benefit from the centre.
• A photograph representing how the centre would help people connect.
• A comment about why the Goderich Connection Centre deserves a grant.
• Share on social media why the connection centre is so important to the community.

“The Goderich Connection Centre will be a critical resource in addressing issues around housing, homelessness and social isolation in Goderich and Mid-Huron,” concluded Erb. “The L.E.A.F. grant is another resource we can try and access to help this important project reach our fundraising goal. We hope people in the area vote to demonstrate how important the Connection Centre is to them.”