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The Citizen, 2018-03-08, Page 9THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, MARCH 8, 2018. PAGE 7. Huron's Out of the Cold now in second year Doing their part Rev. Kate Ballagh-Steeper of Lakeside United Church, left, and Lieutenant David Hickman of the Salvation Army are just a few of the volunteers who help run Huron Out of the Cold in Goderich, an emergency shelter for Huron County's homeless. (Lisa B. Por photo) Continued from page 6 committed "wanderers" get cold. So where can the homeless go at night when businesses are closed and temperatures dip? For many years, there wasn't a place they could go and police would drive the men to the Men's Mission in London. "They didn't always want to go to the city," says Greer. "If they grew up here, they want to be here." The county does not have a designated homeless shelter, which is why a homeless shelter pilot project at Lakeside United Church was created thanks to the work of Huron County Council and the Goderich Ministerial. Huron Out of the Cold, as the pilot project is called, is an initiative organized by the Salvation Army, Lakeshore United and First Baptist churches in Goderich to offer food and shelter in the Sunday school classroom at Lakeside United Church. "The shelter was used most nights during the latest cold season and this winter we have had a minimum of three and as many as six to seven guests every night," says Rev. Kate Ballagh-Steeper, the minister at Lakeside United. Lakeside is one of the largest churches in Goderich. Located close to The Square in Goderich, it was seen as an ideal, accessible location for the pilot project to serve all of Huron's homeless. The shelter is also open to women, however, they tend to access the services available at the Huron Women's Shelter in town. There isn't an equivalent for men. Helping out Huron OPP officers Dave Greer, left, and Jamie Stanley have been working closely with Huron County's homeless population for years. Greer works as the unit's community mobilization/mental health co-ordinator, while Stanley is Huron's community safety officer. (Lisa B. Pot photo) Huron Out of the Cold emergency overnight shelter operates seven days a week from 9:30 p.m. to 8 a.m. Everyone who comes in gets a warm meal (something purchased and heated, as the church's kitchen is not licensed to serve homemade foods) and a mattress with clean bedding. Guests are also fed XElections Ontario breakfast and can pack a lunch when they leave. The mattresses come from a campground and are placed on the floor, side by side, in the Sunday school classroom. Salvation Army Lieutenant David Hickman, administrator and co-ordinator for Huron Out of the Cold, says guests also receive shower vouchers to use at the YMCA because the church does not have shower facilities. The pilot project is proving there is a need for a emergency shelter and maybe even a 24-hour shelter in Huron County. "As I interact with the homeless, I think they would like a space where they don't feel like they have to move on," says Hickman It's hard to know how necessary a permanent shelter would be since every homeless person's case is different, says Ballagh-Steeper. "Some are wanderers and will never go to a permanent shelter by choice," said Ballagh-Steeper. "Some have significant mental health issues, which goes hand in hand with addictions." Affordable housing is a huge issue as well. "The housing market is now out of reach for many people in a way that wasn't true 20 years ago," said Ballagh-Steeper. When governments close halfway houses, that also forces the less - fortunate onto the streets. As Greer stated, men aren't as keen to go to city shelters either. "It was common practice for agencies to transport homeless to London or Kitchener, but there's been a pushback from those shelters," said Hickman. "They are so full and I think there's the thought that communities should take care of their own." Martin agrees. "These are our people. It's up to us to look after them." The crowded conditions in city shelters aren't appealing to the homeless either. "If you are a paranoid schizophrenic, then you definitely do not want to be in a room with 50 other guys," Ballagh-Steeper said. Smaller numbers at Out of the Cold means there is more chance for the homeless to create relationships with each other as well as church representatives and service leaders. "Relationship is very important. It takes time and trust before they will let you come alongside. You have to earn a level of trust so you can begin to guide some of their decision-making and hopefully point them in the right direction," says Hickman. Hickman says some of the men realize they have hit rock bottom and are seeking a better future, but they face significant obstacles. Mental health in particular is difficult to overcome. Huron Out of the Cold, at the very least, can provide a warm, safe place to help get these men stabilized. The church community at Continued on page 8 By the time you finish reading this, you could've confirmed your voter info online. elections.on.ca March is Provincial Voter Registration Month. Be ready to vote #GetONit on June 7, 2018.