Funding ensures shelter's survival

By David SkelhonWednesday, June 28, 2006 http://www.dailycourier.ca/article_314.php
Okanagan-Vernon MLA Tom Christensen announced yesterday that the Province would provide an additional $110,657 in funding for emergency shelter beds at the John Howard House. “Howard House is an important community resource to assist people in the Vernon area who would otherwise likely be homeless and I’m pleased that the province is helping the Society to continue its good work,” said Christensen.Howard House emergency shelter staff are delighted with the announcement. They said this will ensure the survival of the facility.“It changes everything,” said shelter executive director Barbara Levesque.Levesque said the shelter has been in financial trouble since the federally funded halfway house section closed. The shelter has 24 beds and last month served an average of 19 men per night and was full on several nights.“When the halfway house was shut down we only had funding for 10 emergency shelter beds left,” Levesque said. “Consequently we were losing a significant amount of money each month.” Blair Peden, president of the society’s board of directors, said “It’s wonderful. It’s something we have been trying to acquire for some time . . . it means we are going to survive.”Levesque said that potential donors were put off by the huge debt. “The hole was just too big but now I know other funding is going to come forward as well.” Levesque said this funding would come from private donors and other government programs. Ultimately, she said, “This isn’t about charity, it’s about creating opportunities for people who don’t have many.”“More than 80 per cent of the men are working. Many, many have addiction problems, many have mental health problems and some have both.” she said. Levesque said she would like to see more projects with life skills and literacy. She said there are opportunities in trades at the moment but some of the men need guidance.See said that Howard House had recently seen an increase in young people, age 19 to 23, seeking help. “These are a vulnerable group, easily influenced, often from unstable backgrounds.” She added, “There is always room to inspire young people to have their own apartment, or car or go on a vacation in Mexico.”Howard House has a second floor with 24 bedrooms that have been vacant since the closure of the halfway house.Peden said he would eventually like to see these used as part of a transitional living program, “for people who are really motivated to make positive changes in their lives.”“Residents would have their own, comfortable rooms with a TV,” he said, and the facility would be alcohol, drug and violence free. He said that statistics show it takes three to 12 months of stability before these men can start making their own way. “There's no quick fix,” he said.Peden said part of the facility could also be used to house women. The building is based on a World War I hospital and is built in the shape of an “H” and there is an opportunity to create separate wings.