COMMITTEE SEEKS PROVINCIAL FUNDING TO HELP HOMELESS

08 January 2008

Posted By DAVID NESSETH, STANDARD-FREEHOLDER

A report proposing the development of an emergency homeless shelter for local men, women and children, now rests in the hands of the Cornwall Public Inquiry's commissioner.

The project, known as Shelter 2015, secured research funding early in 2008 through the provincial government's contribution to Phase 2 of the inquiry, which aims for "Building Hope, Trust and Pride: Prevention and Community."

Now the Shelter 2015 committee will be looking for $285,000 in startup costs, plus an annual budget of $490,000 to make the emergency shelter a reality.

Normand Glaude, inquiry commission, will have to decide if the project is a worthwhile one for the Cornwall area.

"Once it has received his approval, it will be up to the community to support this project in order to secure funding from the province," states the report, authored by project lead Jamie Marsolais, who is also a sex abuse survivor who has testified at the inquiry.

Details of the report reveal that the Shelter 2015 committee is aiming to have the shelter operate through the Agapè Centre.

"They have a long history of working with those in need," the report states.

"They also have an impeccable reputation in the community. This situation would reduce the amount of time and money needed to start up the shelter.

"They have a number of the crucial items in place."

The Agapè Centre, however, is currently looking for cash for its own needs.

Executive director Judy Dancause recently asked city council for a one-time grant of $225,000 to help cover the $450,000 the centre owes on its new location at the former St. Columban's Hall.

Part of the proposed shelter's target demographic will be residents under 18, who do not qualify for Ontario Works assistance except in special circumstances.

Marsolais' report tells of a 17-year-old boy from Cornwall who approached the Ontario Works office for help earlier this year.

A bad situation at home meant his school performance was hurting. In his last year of high school, he just wants to finish so he can move on to college. He was told to book an appointment to apply for assistance.

"When he asked what to do in the meantime, because he had no money, he was told there was no shelter in Cornwall, so there was nowhere for him to go," Marsolais wrote.

"He had to follow the process and wait five days for his appointment. These stories are all too familiar in this area."

The shelter would also serve adult males and females.

Marsolais said there's a "gap in services" when it comes to emergency shelters for males. Although women currently have services available, the report suggests that overcrowding is often an issue.

Five 24-7 Ottawa shelters were studied for the proposal, but the report offers no statistics related to the area's need for the shelter.

NUMBERS MORE THAN SUFFICIENT

It states: "Discussions with the department (social housing) and with agencies who serve the homeless in Cornwall show that they feel that the numbers are more than sufficient to establish the need for the shelter."

Proposed staff for the shelter includes one manager and one counsellor, as well as six staff for admittance and supervision.

Glaude has approved other Phase 2 pilot projects like The Gatehouse Adult Support Network, which matches volunteer mentors with survivors in an attempt to make them more resilient and better able to find their place in society.

Shelter 2015committee members:

* Glen Grant, Retired Supervisor Social Services

* Judy Dancause, Executive Director Agapè Centre

* Wayne Kyte, Executive Director of Laurencrest Group Home

* Murray MacDonald, Crown Attorney (on leave)

* Claude Legault, Probation and Parole Manager

* Raymond Houde, Executive Director of Family Counselling Centre of SD&G

* Mark MacDonald, City Councillor

PRICELESS!

Directly to the needy in Cornwall???

Think again. WHO'S Managing this place???