United Way Perth-Huron (UWPH) is proud to be working across Huron County to address the #UNIGNORABLE issue of homelessness.
“We are honoured to be part of the discussion around homelessness in Huron and to lend our expertise,” says UWPH Executive Director Ryan Erb. “The communities of Huron are committed to working towards making chronic homelessness a thing of the past and United Way is proud to stand with them and area service providers to help them work towards this goal.”
In addition to existing resources through Huron Safe Homes for Youth and the Huron Women’s Shelter, UWPH is collaborating on a number of initiatives across Huron County. In Goderich, UWPH is working with the Town and local service providers to continue ensuring emergency shelter stays in place during the cold months, a new Housing Advocate to find housing for those in need and provide ongoing support for successful tenancy and prevention and support services for youth and women. These plans are in addition to a previously announced initiative in South Huron where the Turning Point Home in Exeter is adding three beds. The Coldest Night of the Year — a family-friendly walk raising money to serve hungry, homeless and hurting people in the community — also happens on February 22 in Goderich and Exeter, joining more than 125 other communities across Canada. Anyone interested in fundraising, or becoming a team captain, is encouraged to register on the Coldest Night of the Year website, cnoy.org/register.
“We’re happy to have UWPH join us in working on solutions to homelessness,” says Vicky Parent, Executive Director of Huron Safe Homes for Youth. “As social experts with an in-depth knowledge of this pressing local issue, they are an invaluable partner. We are looking forward to continuing this journey with them to help people in need across Huron County.”
During the 2018 Huron Homelessness Enumeration, 100 individuals identified themselves as having experienced homelessness. Even more alarming is the statistic showing that 80 per cent of homelessness is hidden, meaning there are many more people in the community facing this #UNIGNORABLE issues every day.
“We know families, youth and children are homeless — efforts are being made to improve all services, for all people,” adds Erb. “No one should be without a home in Huron County. No one should have to live in a shed, on some else’s couch or out in the cold. It’s time to do what we can.”