Local care organizations meet to talk about homeless support

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Leah Pierce is dedicated to assisting North Bay’s growing homeless population.

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On Wednesday night at Trinty United Church, Pierce, through his role as chair of the Compassionate Homeless Committee of North Bay, hosted a public meeting with many different stakeholders. Many of those in attendance run different organizations but have a similar goal of helping the city’s homeless population.

“We thought it would be great to find some guest speakers who are with frontline organizations for peer outreach. We have people here who have lived experiences and are peer outreach workers. Some guests are peer workers with lived experiences. ” says Pierce.

“We want community partners to tell the North Bay community how we can work together to help people experiencing homelessness.”

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Pierce believes part of the purpose of the meeting was to explain to people what it’s like to be homeless.

She says the public stigma faced by homeless people is a major burden.

“There is a misconception about why people end up homeless. The last count (of homeless people in North Bay) is about 316 people. There are probably 316 reasons why a person is homeless,” says Pierce, who wants audiences to see the homeless on a more personal level.

“We have to understand the person and consider them as such. What better way than through education. I believe that education fosters compassion. We compassionately treat people experiencing homelessness as individuals with their own unique needs.”

Tracy Clement was one of the guest speakers at the meeting.

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Clement is the operator of Hearts and Hands, a mobile outreach program that provides donations to those living on the streets. Even more interesting is the fact that Clement is self-funded. She receives donations; people paying for “care packages” and grocery store gift cards.

Clement believes this meeting got the ball rolling somewhat in the right direction.

“I see some networking happening and I’m happy to see that,” says Clement. “We always support each other when we’re together,” Clement says, adding that he helps other charities that help the homeless with additional donations.

Pearce says those who are homeless need the rest of society to understand the reasons behind their situation and believes this will help those less fortunate to survive and thrive.

The Compassionate Homeless Committee is hosting its Winter Boot campaign in the garages across from Assumption Cathedral on Saturday from 10am to 2pm.

You can leave items there to help the homeless in the area.

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