For Justine Schramek, a resident of the Rainbow Park encampment, Tuesday’s public forum on homelessness and housing was a small victory.
The 38-year-old from Sarnia had an opportunity to plead for understanding in front of a near-capacity crowd of about 350 at the Dante Club.
“We are people. It’s not as easy as people think and we are not all drug addicts,” said Schramek who later explained she found herself homeless after leaving an abusive relationship.
“We are not all criminals,” she said tearfully. “We don’t kill people. We want to help each other…we’re looking out for each other because a lot of people won’t look out for us.”
While at the microphone during a Q & A session, Schramek requested washroom facilities for the encampment, something city council approved weeks ago. She said the ones that were brought in are usually locked. Coun. Brian White offered to follow up.
Schramek said she also spoke to Mayor Mike Bradley who attended the forum but did not speak publicly.
“He said he’d do something about the washrooms tomorrow,” she said. “I am happy about that. We’re not animals.”
The forum was organized by members of the Sarnia Rotary Club and a number of local residents frustrated by how long it is taking to find local solutions to the housing and homeless crisis.
Volunteer John Barnfield said after the two-hour meeting that he felt everyone remained mostly respectful. Homelessness and what to do about it is a contentious issue that creates a lot of anger and frustration, Barnfield said.
“So this is a proud moment for me,” he said. “So many people came from so many different sectors of our community with so many different perspectives.”
Barnfield told the crowd he is disappointed that politicians at every level don’t appear to be working together to fix the housing problem and solve the homeless emergency.
“I look to the city and county to do the right thing and work together in the spirit of collaboration,” he said. “I challenge you, the leaders, to step up and be leaders with our support.” Volunteer groups are trying to get new housing projects off the ground but “we also need strong leadership,” said Barnfield.
He promised there will be another public event in the months to come to continue community engagement and search for solutions.
The first hour of the forum featured presenters from agency and government groups that work with the local homeless.
They talked about current and future affordable housing projects as well as police, medical and mental health supports already in place for the homeless.
Ian Hanney who heads up Lambton County’s homelessness prevention unveiled a new campaign designed to educate the public about the many programs already out there and invite members of the community to help find solutions.
“Be Part of the Solution” is an attempt to “shift the local conversation on homelessness to one of solutions through learning, understanding and taking action,” Hanney said.
He urged everyone in the community to go to the new website (www.lambtononline.ca/bepartofthesolution) to become better informed, discredit myths, share information and get involved by volunteering or donating.
“We hear anger and frustration from folks who want change,” he said. Yet there are many local agencies and staff working exhaustively with “tremendous” outcomes, especially for a community this size.
“Of course if individuals aren’t acutely aware of what’s happening around human and social services, they see the dozens of households that are living unsheltered and they may think nothing is happening.
“Just the opposite is true,” said Hanney.
The Inn of the Good Shepherd’s Myles Vanni and a number of social service administrators, reinforced Hanney’s comments.
The Inn’s shelter beds are augmented by 19 transitional beds where life skills are taught and residents who were once homeless pay a small amount of rent.
“We’ve had great success with that…I’m excited to say four of those transitional folks entered college,” Vanni said. “And that’s the next step. Once you get them stabilized, and once their immediate survival needs are looked after, then you can start to focus on education and employment,” he said to applause.
The Inn, which already operates about 80 shelter beds and serves 120 hot meals a day, hopes to build a 60-unit affordable housing project once rezoning is approved for the land.
Seven of the city’s nine council members attended Tuesday’s forum – Terry Burrell and Dave Boushy were absent – and MPP Bob Bailey answered a few questions from the crowd.
Graham Schofield was one of several residents who wanted Bailey to explain where the $12.5 million in provincial funding is to establish a withdrawal management facility at Bluewater Health.
“The drawings are in the final stages of being approved by the Ministry of Health,” said Bailey. “I know Bluewater Health is anxious and I hope to have a more fulsome answer by the end of this week.”
As the two hour event wrapped up, The Journal asked several attendees: What did you think of Tuesday's public forum?
Cathy Hockin (former nurse and therapist) – “I think we have a lot of work to do to help people understand it all. This was very worthwhile. I hope it encourages others to get involved.”
Greg Jones (local resident who says he frequently shelters the homeless) – “Tonight I heard a lot of talk. There are a lot of people being paid a lot of money to come up with answers and it isn’t getting done quick enough.”
Jim Curran (volunteer at Nightlight drop-in) – “Tonight was about community engagement and we accomplished that. This is a baby step, just the beginning of something that should involve the whole community.”
Heather Martin (organizer and Rotarian) – “I think as a community we are becoming more informed and understanding of the situation. There are many people doing a great deal and people need to know about them.”
Justine Schramek (Rainbow Park resident) – “I got up because one person said there were (homeless) people defecating in the park, so I had to tell them we have no washrooms. I also want people to come talk to us and learn who we are. There are people who are not drug addicts who need help at Rainbow Park.”
John Barnfield (organizer) – “It was a respectful exchange and I’m delighted with the turnout. Now the big work begins.”
Sharon Docherty (Rainbow Park neighbour) – “It was frustrating for those of us who already know about all the services. It’s hard to keep hearing they are doing so much when there are still so many living in the park.”