Wednesday, September 22, 2021
Southpoint Sun - 7
Findings of homelessness project in Leamington announced LEAMINGTON — The Leamington Homelessness Project is an initiative that began to come together in 2019 and last week, after months of work and collaboration, the findings of the project were announced. On Friday, September 17, the South Essex Community Council (SECC) brought together representatives of the munic-
ipality, Family Services Windsor-Essex Housing Connections. “We’ve learned a lot over these past months and as a collaborative, we’ve gained a better understanding of the challenges in accessing local services,” said Carolyn Warkentin, Executive Director of SECC. “The project report offers some excellent recommendations
to move our community forward in its efforts to end homelessness in Leamington and the surrounding area.” This past June and July, staff from local service organizations interviewed people who were experiencing homelessness or were at-risk of homelessness at Leamington food banks, meal programs and outdoor settings.
Leamington Mayor Hilda MacDonald, left, stands with Homelessness Project leader Alissa Enns, Housing Information Services representative Lisa Bezaire, SECC Executive Director Carolyn Warkentin, and Family Service Windsor-Essex co-ordinator Colm Holmes as they present ‘Finding Home’, a look at housing and homelessness in Leamington. SUN photo
Community Calendar
ONGOING Wellness Together Canada offers FREE, 24/7 MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE USE SUPPORT WITH NO WAIT TIMES for Canadians of all ages, in every province and territory and in both official languages. Funded by the Government of Canada. More info at https:// wellnesstogether.ca/en-CA. Phone counselling available 24/7 at 1-866-585-0445.
MIRACLE MOBILE MARKET - The Mobile Market is a weekly travelling fresh produce market that offers packages of fruits and veggies. The suggested donation is $5 ( all donations go back into purchasing local produce for the Market project.) Join us in Wheatley on Tuesdays from 12:30 - 1:00 pm at the Wheatley Arena. Visit www.mobilemarketck.com or www. facebook.com/mobilemarketck for the latest info. ERIE SHORES TOASTMASTERS Meeting online at 6:00 p.m. every other Wednesday. Develop your Communication and Leadership Skills in a positive, friendly environment. Meeting dates in September are the 15th and 29th. Visit a meeting and see how you like it! For more info Email: ErieShoresTM@yahoo.com Facebook: Erie Shores Toastmasters or go to ErieShores.toastmastersclubs.org and click on Contact Us. COMMUNITY TAKEOUT IS AVAILABLE at Leamington United Church, 4:00 - 5:00 pm every Monday. St. John’s Anglican Church also has takeout meals available every Wednesday from 4:00 5:00 p.m. Food is available from St. Vincent De Paul at St. Michael’s Parish 226-340-7233, Salvation Army Food Bank, The warming Cross at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Food Cupboard at St. John’s Anglican church, The Bridge (ages 1424), Food Pantry at Parkdale Variety, neighbourhood pantry at Erie South and Marlborough and the Angel Pantry at St.
John’s Anglican Church. All are free. All are welcome.
ARE YOU CONCERNED ABOUT SOMEONE’S DRINKING? Al-Anon Family Groups meeting information: 519-790-7739 or www.alanonwindsoressex.com IF YOU WANT TO DRINK, THAT’S YOUR BUSINESS If you want to stop, we can help. Call Alcoholics Anonymous: 519-999-1234. RANDY ATKINSON FUND provides money for extras that OHIP doesn’t pay for or to help with unexpected expenses for cancer patients (e.g. hospital parking etc). If you, your group or organization would like to have a speaker explain the fund and its availability in this area, call 519-682-2580. PLAY ROTARY TV BINGO GAMES - Tuesday nights, live on TVCOGECO from 7:00 - 8:00 p.m. Can only be viewed in Chatham-Kent viewing areas. Support the community and purchase your cards from Adamson Guardian Drugs, Wheatley. Pick up your cards early! Play 5 different games on 3 faces in 1 hour. $3 for 15 ways to win and $2000 in prizes. MELO CLINIC & PREGNANCY CENTRE, 75 Erie Street South, Unit 103, Leamington, offers free and confidential services provided by registered nurses. Pregnancy tests, STI testing & treatment. Call 24/7 for confidential support 519-326-0612. Business calls 519-3263821. www.pregnancycentre.net. DONATE BLOOD - Leamington Blood Donor Clinic - at the Leamington Lebanese Club, 447 Hwy. 77 Leamington. 1:00 - 7:00 p.m. Book ahead. Book now. Visit: blood.ca or call 1-888-236-6283.
To place your event in the Community Calendar Phone: 519-398-9098 Email: sun@southpointsun.ca or drop off at 194 Talbot St. E. Unit 5, Leamington
Mayor Hilda MacDonald applauded the efforts of the SECC and local ministers for bringing the homelessness issue to her attention. “I was eight weeks into the job when I was approached by a group of local ministers,” she said. “That group now has 30 members, including seven churches and 13 services clubs being involved.” MacDonald said that once the group found out there was a need, there was no turning back. “It’s a matter of people coming together,” she said. “The team has been working together since 2019 to develop a made-in-Leamington solution.” Alissa Enns, project leader spoke of the results of the survey that was done this summer and said that out of 72 people surveyed, just over half of them had housing, with 17 of them having no shelter at all. Another 14 had limited shelter and were doing ‘couch-surfing’, staying with friends and family. “Overall data shows a
trend of long-term and cyclical homelessness,” she said. Enns and her group made recommendation based on the results of the survey, which included a drop-in service to be established, housing services located in Leamington and the county and said it’s essential that a long-term solution be found in Leamington. The report from the homelessness project can be found at secc.on.ca/ findinghome. Lisa Bezaire from Housing Intervention Services joined Colm Holmes, Coordinator from the Windsor-Essex Housing Connections (WEHC), as they both spoke to the need of safe, affordable housing
all across the county. “Homelessness often goes unnoticed because it’s largely hidden,” said Holmes. Holmes said that WEHC has staff onsite at SECC in Leamington during regular business hours and has a hotline to call after hours. “This will really help people and really will improve their lives,” he said. For Warkentin and her staff, they are elated and expect to make a big announcement this week to further the results of the project, but there is still work to be done. “Five people have been housed since June of this year,” she said. “But there’s still a lot to do.”
ANNOUNCEMENT
Dr. Robert McCormick Optometrist, Leamington Eyecare Dear Leamington, Wheatley and Tilbury patients, for the time being I am now only available at my Kingsville Eyecare Clinic to assist you with your eyecare and eyewear needs. We welcome you to call 519-325-0123 or 519-733-3560 to schedule an appointment or if you have questions.
Thank you for your continued support.
375 Main St. E., Kingsville www.kingsvilleeyecare.ca
519.733.3560
