Helping Sudbury’s homeless through the winter

The Samaritan Centre in Greater Sudbury said it served more clients than ever this winter, its first operating as a 24/7 service.

The Samaritan Centre in Sudbury says it’s been a challenging winter, serving more people than ever, giving them a place to get warm, eat and access essential services.

Officials said their building is owned by New Hope Outreach Services and has the Blue Door Soup Kitchen, Elgin Street Mission and Teen Challenge as tenants.

It also operates an overnight warming centre and daytime drop-in centre

“In the big picture, our goal is to build relationships with our clients to be able to provide a safe environment so they can actually make life changes,” said Mark Dennie, the executive director of the Samaritan Centre.

Dennie said it’s a big challenge dealing with behaviours related to illicit drug use.

The Samaritan Centre helps homeless people over the age of 18. There is a no drugs or weapons policy in the building. This is the first winter it’s operated as a 24-hour facility and there are more than 200 individual visits each day.

Attitude changes

“People, when they are under the influence, their attitudes change,” he said.

“Their patience levels change and some of them … they have an increase in protecting themselves, so they want to carry weapons around. So, we have actually done a fairly good job -- a really good job -- at being able to manage the change in behaviours, you know, as a team.”

There is a faith-based room where clients can access counselling. Dennie said it has helped change some people’s lives.

“Over the last 18 months, there has been 650 different individuals coming through our drop-in centre alone,” he said.

“And we have had the opportunity to influence 60 people positively. Either they have gone into rehab (or) they have taken part in Teen Challenge, which is faith-based rehab program. And really, it’s about giving them the opportunity to change their lives.”