The pandemic is still making it difficult for people to gather together. However, through a combination of social media and low-key in-person event, United Way Perth-Huron launched the 2021/2022 campaign with an ambitious goal of $2,002,061 and a commitment to work even harder to help address #UNIGNORABLE issues such as poverty, mental health and homelessness faced by vulnerable members of the Stratford and area community.
“Every campaign kick-off is special,” said Ryan Erb, United Way Perth-Huron Executive Director. “But for Stratford and area, this kick-off also marks the beginning of an important journey. Besides working to raise funds for existing programs and services across Perth-Huron, we’re helping fund projects addressing homelessness in new ways along with our partners at the City of Stratford and Choices for Change.”
A major focus of this new approach to homelessness is the Stratford Connection Centre. Final discussions are currently underway with a downtown partner to host the centre, providing a safe place for vulnerable people, empowering individuals to move toward a better life by connecting them with allies and supports. This includes access to basic needs such as a shower and laundry facilities, building social ties and trust with volunteers and staff and connecting clients to additional social services through volunteers and staff.
As part of the project, the City of Stratford is providing funding for two staff members with a focus on working in Stratford’s downtown core and with the homeless population who are sleeping rough. They will also provide a resource for concerned community members to reach out to when they find someone in need, as well as collaborating with Stratford Police Services and their outreach vehicle to attend local encampments and deliver food and other supplies, along with providing transportation.
“This is an important project for vulnerable local people,” added Choices for Change Executive Director Catherine Hardman. “The centre provides an opportunity beyond offering a warm place to sit or take a shower — although those aspects are certainly important — the centre is really offering the possibility of longer-term change for people in need. We’re happy to be working together with our partners to make this plan a reality.”
“The City of Stratford is proud to be working with UWPH and Choices for Change on this project,” said Kim McElroy, Director of Social Services for the City of Stratford. “We see the challenges faced by local people in need. The Stratford Connection Centre is a collaborative approach from community partners that allows us to address the ongoing issue of homelessness in an innovative way. Ideally, we will see long-term permanent housing solutions through these efforts.
“As part of our 10-year Housing and Homelessness plan this program will support the efforts of our By-Name list — a dynamic list of everyone who is experiencing homelessness that enables service providers to prioritize those based on need — as well as the Coordinated Access program that brings every social service housing provider together to collaboratively meet the needs of clients.”
In addition to the connection centre collaboration, United Way has an even longer-term vision to address significant local housing and community service infrastructure needs through a planned Huron Perth Community Renewal Company. The renewal company will focus on acquiring and developing land to address social purposes including supportive, affordable and attainable housing and human services hubs. The aim is to have a positive impact on the community by addressing pressing needs such as housing shortages, social isolation and challenges facing vulnerable populations from mental health and addiction to poverty. More information will be released in the coming months.
“Every year we look at the needs of our community and asks what we have to do to address issues facing local people,” added Erb. “I know some people may look around and see our community is doing well, and we are, but we can always do more and do it better. Our goal of $2,002,061 looks like a lot, but we ask because we engage with our partners and communities first to understand what has to be done. These are incredibly important issues to address in Stratford and area and United Way is determined to be part of the long-term solution.”