Dodgeball game bridges gap between police, homeless in northern Ont.

A unique dodgeball tournament pitted West Nipissing's homeless community against police and municipal leaders over the weekend. Eric Taschner has more.

A unique dodgeball tournament pitting local homeless residents against police and municipal officials was held Saturday at Goulard Park in Sturgeon Falls, Ont., aiming to foster community connections and break down barriers.

The Backpacks vs. Badges event, organized by the No More Tears West Nipissing Society, saw members of the Ontario Provincial Police, West Nipissing Fire and Emergency Services and Mayor Kathleen Thorne Rochon compete in five games against individuals experiencing homelessness.

“One of our homeless came up with this idea to have a tournament against the OPP and we ran with it because it’s going to bridge gaps and bring them together in a community where they’re usually not on the same page,” said Delia Greenlees, the society’s executive director.

The OPP team ultimately won the series of matches, which was played before a crowd of about 50 spectators who cheered enthusiastically for the homeless participants.

Building trust through sport

The event was designed as a symbolic effort to improve relations. Greenlees explained that interactions between the two groups are often fraught with fear.

“The biggest fear for homeless is that every time they have any communication with the police, they think they’re being arrested or they’re being questioned,” Greenlees said. “Our OPP are amazing here. They really try to work with our homeless. But there is fear and the stigma of being with the police. So, this brings them together and it shows that the police are our friends.”

OPP Const. Serge Sicard, from the Nipissing West detachment’s Mobile Crisis Response Team, said the event aligned with the service’s community goals.

“Our job goes beyond just patrolling and calls for service,” Sicard said.

“It’s about integrating officers with the community, knowing that we’re there for everyone and we’re willing to help out in any way we can.”

Funds support growing need

The tournament raised $2,500 for the No More Tears Hub, a charity-based centre run by volunteers that provides breakfast and lunch. The organization is supporting a growing number of people and is now working with 52 homeless individuals compared to 30 last year – an increase they attributed to inflation and the rising cost of living.

Greenlees said the funds provide essential, practical support.

“We can get them showers. The showers are $4.50. We do their laundry. That’s $9.50 a load and buy food,” she said, adding the group also helps with housing shortfalls.

The society is also working to secure nine motel rooms through a district social services board initiative to house 18 people this winter.

Paul Montreuil, who is homeless and played on the dodgeball team, praised the organization’s work when speaking with CTV News.

“We wouldn’t be able to do it without No More Tears. They feed us every day and they’re there when there’s bad weather and they give us a safe place to go,” he said also noting his positive relationship with local officers.

“The police here have been great trying to help us out with whatever they can. They understand our situation,” he said.

Sicard acknowledged the value of connecting outside of his official police duties.

“A lot of calls for services to attend, include the encampments and part of our duties is to enforce the laws,” he said.

“So, when we’re off-duty, it’s great to see the homeless and police together.”