The Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Sudbury/Manitoulin is set to open doors to the Off The Street (OTS) Emergency Shelter on November 1st, for the season.
The City of Greater Sudbury has awarded CMHA Sudbury/Manitoulin a 5-year contract for the operation of the Off The Street Emergency Shelter. The permanent home of the shelter will be at 200 Larch Street. Updates are planned to be made to the building in order to accommodate the needs of the shelter and are anticipated to begin in the spring of 2018 so that it will not impact the shelter season. The shelter will open November 1 at 8:30 p.m. and offers individuals in need, in the community, a temporary bed and warm place to sleep each night.
“We’re happy to be providing the Off The Street Emergency Shelter once again this year. As an organization we look forward to working closely with our partners to provide this low barrier shelter for some of our downtown citizens that have nowhere else to go. Assisting people in finding the help they need, some nourishment and a warm place to stay ensures that we continue to be a caring community,” said Marion Quigley, CEO of CMHA Sudbury/Manitoulin.
As a low-barrier operation, OTS Emergency Shelter aims to remove as many barriers as possible in order to help as many people as possible. The shelter will not turn away people who are under the influence.
CMHA Sudbury/Manitoulin has continued to develop and maintain the close connections it has to health and social service organizations and can provide individuals with referrals and connections to other local supports.
“L’Association des jeunes de la rue’s Community Outreach Program is looking forward to continuing to provide direct services, including Homelessness Network intakes, referral services and individual support, to a population they currently serve, » said Lise Sénécal, Executive Director of L’Association des jeunes de la rue. « This will be achieved by providing a Community Outreach Support Worker to the existing OTS team, therefore enhancing existing services.”
The OTS Emergency Shelter will run until April 16, 2018. Doors open nightly at 8:30 p.m. and 30 cots are available. Operational information about the shelter is also available online at sm.cmha.ca.
The shelter is also seeking donations of non-perishable food, canned goods, coffee, tea, toiletries (e.g. toothpaste, deodorant, shampoo) and gently worn winter clothing for adults of all genders and ages over 16 years (e.g. sweaters, coats, hats, mittens), as well as new socks and undergarments. CMHA Sudbury/Manitoulin will also be using part of the donations from now until December 8 to make Christmas Wellness Stockings for individuals accessing the shelter.
Fast Facts:
- Last season, between Nov. 28, 2016, and April 16, 2017, an average of 28 people per night used a cot for sleeping and an average of 27 people accessed the shelter for evening and referral services only.
- Through referrals to other community agencies, 36 individuals accessing the shelter obtained permanent housing throughout the last shelter season.
- OTS Emergency Shelter is an enhancement to the existing 64 emergency shelter beds that the City of Greater Sudbury funds for men, women and children, and youth.
For more information or to arrange a media interview, contact:
Cindy Rose
Manager, Off the Street Emergency Shelter & Harm Reduction Home
Canadian Mental Health Association——Sudbury/Manitoulin
T: (705) 561-0445
E : crose@cmha-sm.on.ca