The Cold Lake John Howard Society (CLJHS) is setting their sights on a community services hub, bringing agencies from across the city to one central location.
The idea for a community hub stems from discussions with various groups in Cold Lake, explained Leah Ferris, executive director for the CLJHS.
After taking on her role at the society in July, Ferris approached community organizations about what they offer, and what they would like to see from the CLJHS.
“What came out of that was this idea that there were some barriers still in place, and there were some disconnections amongst agencies, whether it was between agencies in the south and agencies in the north, or agencies in this area and the clients themselves getting there,” noted Ferris. “What I thought would help with those barriers is having somewhere everyone could be.”
The idea is nothing new to the area, Ferris continued, people just simply don't have the time to turn it into a reality.
“What I found when I talked to different people throughout the community is that they had been thinking of the same thing for a very long time; that it would be wonderful to have a place where every agency could come and go, where we could have outreach workers from various agencies.”
So far, Ferris has about five or six groups on board, all interested in working with the CLJHS on the project. What they are doing right now, is looking for a location, somewhere central and easily accessible to everyone.
Each organization involved would be given a time slot, so anyone in need of their programming knows when and where they are available.
Board chair for the CLJHS Phil Krump used the St. Albert hub as an example of what they would like to see.
“It provides daytime services for needy individuals and families, and the agencies that support it with their programs drop-in… There would be some kind of program schedule… they would send someone over (to the hub) at a certain time of the week.”
Ferris added, “The idea is to have an environment that is safe for everyone, and somewhere where they can come and learn life skills.”
This could include financial, health or literacy programming.
In order to meet their needs, the space would require laundry facilities, a kitchen, washrooms and showers.
“The vision is to have a space for homeless men during the day specifically,” Ferris explained, adding there is currently a location for men to go for the night, but some days are “just as cold.”
She continued that for those men who are unable to access that program in the evenings they want to be able to offer them some comfort during the day, while providing access to the services they need.
At this time, Ferris would estimate there are about 10 to 15 homeless men within the community; however that number does not include the “hidden homeless.” Of those men, the society has referrals for about six.
The CLJHS was created following a needs assessment completed in the city by the Men in Crisis Committee in 2012. It revealed men were in need of services they could be referred to with the help of a program similar to that of the John Howard Society (JHS) of Alberta. The committee approached the JHS about creating a chapter in Cold Lake, and in January 2016, announced they were setting up shop at the Cold Lake and District FCSS.
Now that they are up and running, the CLJHS would like to expand their space, and relocate from the local FCSS to their own facility, which they are hoping would also act as the community services hub.
“We are very grateful for our office space at FCSS, however, if we are wanting to build that community hub, we are going to need a bigger space,” noted Ferris. “For now it works, but our future direction is there.”
The CLJHS presented before city council on March 28, to provide an update and let them know they will be back in search of further funding.
