By Darren Handschuh Saturday, July 18, 2009
When International Trendsetters co-owner Ed Kendall heard a low-barrier facility for the homeless was opening next door to his salon, he had serious concerns. The Vernon businessman demanded he be on the board overseeing the project that opened in September 2008 so he could raise those concerns. Kendall feared the influx of homeless people and addicts would scare his clients away and destroy his business. Fast forward 10 months and Kendall‘s concerns are gone. “It‘s been fantastic,” he said of the facility earlier this week. Before The Gateway opened, drug deals and prostitution could be seen down the street daily. But the centre brought with it security cameras, on-site security personnel and a new neighbourhood. Kendall has even hired Gateway clients to shovel snow around his business. Kendall praised staff at The Gateway for working closely with the community and for taking care of any problems that arise. He knows the centre is making a difference to some, but he also acknowledges the problems he experienced just moved to a different part of town. Operated by the John Howard Society, The Gateway offers male and female addicts and homeless people a place to access the resources they need to turn their lives around. Mental health is a big focus at the centre, as the majority of homeless people have some form of mental illness. Gateway manager Kelly Fehr knew the facility would cause some concern when it opened, and he is diligently working with the business community, police, bylaw, community policing and other groups to address concerns that may arise. “We had a lot of opposition,” said Fehr, adding he holds neighbourhood council meetings on a regular basis to address concerns. “It‘s not focused on the shelter, but issues in the neighbourhood.”
Despite initial concerns the centre would destroy the block, few incidents have been reported. RCMP spokesman Gord Molendyk said police are “very happy” with how the centre is being operated. “When the word shelter came out, some were afraid people were just going to be hanging out, but it is run much differently,” said Molendyk. “It‘s giving people a hand up. You don‘t just go there and flop.” Fehr said people can stay for up to five days before they must develop a case plan outlining their goals. If they show they are truly trying to change their lives, they can be referred to Howard House for longer-term housing and programs. The Gateway has numerous programs aimed at helping people get off the street that include trained counsellors and medical staff. The key, Fehr said, is counsellors meet clients at the shelter, and that makes a big difference in getting the care they need. Molendyk said The Gateway and Howard House, which also acts as a single-night shelter, have benefited police by providing a place to send a person who may be sleeping in the park or an alleyway. “It‘s a step up and it is giving them a hand to start over again,” said Molendyk.
When Cardington Apartments opened last September on St. Paul Street in Kelowna, many of the same concerns were raised, with some people going so far as to declare it would create a dead zone around the building, but those concerns have also proved unfounded so far. Kelowna RCMP Const. Steve Holmes said police have had “very few calls of any significance” relating to the centre. Holmes said police have conducted some “well-being checks” and have responded to a few calls, which were minor in nature. “We know who‘s there and why they are there,” said Holmes. “For the most part, the people are there because they want to change their lives.” A stroll down the block shows it is no different than any other city street. Cardington is a 30-unit facility that also offers numerous programs to help people deal with addiction and mental illness with the goal of helping them return to mainstream society. Cardington is also operated by the John Howard Society. Central and South Okanagan executive director Shelley Cook said the centre has helped a number of people get off the street and into their own homes. “There was significant opposition and concern about what it meant to the downtown,” she said, adding those concerns were taken seriously by the society. Men and women can stay at the apartments for two years, but Cook said several only needed six months to get back on their feet. “We have one gentleman who was 22 years homeless,” she said. “It‘s a huge accomplishment.” The units are self-contained with a common area and a courtyard. “It‘s a very relaxing, very calming, very beautiful setting, but also a very secure setting, which is comforting for them,” said Cook. Along with around-the-clock staffing, numerous security cameras and other security measures are in place. “No one can get in or out without us knowing and seeing,” she said. Cardington works closely with the RCMP, businesses and community groups. The main floor of the building has been set aside for commercial use, but with the economic downturn leaving the spaces empty, officials are floating the idea of putting in a coffee shop that would employ Cardington clients.
Cook said there are no such facilities in Penticton, but that may change. “There is a recognition of a need there,” she said. “They are looking at some of the successful models.” Cook said there is also a need for the next stage of care, which would be transitional housing. A 49-unit apartment is in the works for Kelowna‘s Rutland district, but funding for the project has been put on hold by the province. New Gate Apartments will be designed for men and women who need support to maintain their housing because of health and social issues, and would provide clients with longer-term housing. A groundbreaking ceremony was held Wednesday for the homeless crisis stabilization project on Boyce Crescent near downtown Kelowna that will be operated by the Canadian Mental Health Association. Willowbridge is a 40-unit supportive-housing development for people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. The province is investing $7.8 million in capital infrastructure funding to develop Willowbridge through the provincial homelessness initiative. The initiative combines housing with support services to help people move beyond temporary shelter to greater self-reliance and appropriate employment. Willowbridge is also the result of an agreement by the province and City of Kelowna in March 2008 to provide more supportive housing. The city has provided land equity estimated at $564,400 for the development.
No comments:
Post a Comment