The manager of an area homeless shelter is hopeful others will follow the lead of a local family who has kept a man from being forced out onto the streets.
Earlier in the month, Chatham Hope Haven, a shelter for men dealing with homelessness, announced that they would be ending overnight accommodations on April 25 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, the 15 men currently staying at the shelter would have nowhere to go.
According to Wanda Bell, general manager of Hope Haven, a family from Chatham heard the call for help and volunteered to welcome one of the men into their home.
Bell said the Dodwell family saw a recent Facebook post about the closure of the shelter and wanted to do whatever they could to help.
"Within a day we got it together. I chose the best candidate according to what they had said. I met him the next day and now he's been in there [several] nights," explained Bell.
One member of the family, who asked that Blackburn News refrain from using her first name to protect the identity of their new lodger, said they recently moved to Chatham from Orangeville. She said she had become a frequent volunteer at Hope Haven, however, this is the first time she has let someone stay at her home.
With the unique set of challenges the pandemic is bringing to those who are already facing hardships, Dodwell said she felt compelled to step up and do something.
"I personally have always had a passion for helping poverty individuals, whether they're homeless or low income... When Wanda put out a call for help saying that these men have nowhere to go, we felt really bad and really wanted to help with the situation," said Dodwell. "These guys have nowhere to go. All the stores are shut down so they have nowhere to use the bathroom, all these places that can't deliver food anymore. It's become really hard for these gentlemen, not just finding a place to stay overnight but also during the day."
Dodwell said the man will be staying in a room in the family's finished basement. The room was originally used as a playroom for her children, however, the family cleaned it up to allow space for him to come in.
"Of course talking to our kids beforehand [was a priority] and getting everyone on board with what's going on and cleaning up the room as a joint family mission. We cleaned up the space for this gentleman to live. I know he's very grateful for the space," she said.
In addition to the man taken in by the Dodwell's, another man has been taken in by his own family and one has been placed in a hotel room. Bell knows that the clock is ticking to get safe accommodations for the remaining 12 men and she's hopeful the Dodwell's act of kindness will inspire others to do something similar.
"It means that you're going to work out things with the male I hook up with you, you have a space for him, a place to sleep, access to a private washroom would be nice," said Bell. "Food can be decided. They do have money of their own but that can all be decided between the person and the family that steps forward."
Bell is also putting a call out to any landlords who might be able to offer affordable accommodations to help the men during this time.
Dodwell said she recognizes that the decision might not be for everyone, but for anyone who has the means to do it, she encourages them to at least give it a try.
"A lot of people have some preconceived notions. It's a barrier that we have to break. A lot of these guys are just genuinely trying to make do or make better for themselves. They're doing the best they can," Dodwell exclaimed. "If you try it once and you don't like it, you don't have to do it again. It's very rewarding to know that the gentleman is very, very thankful that he has a place to be and not have to worry about where he has to go during the day."
Bell is asking that anyone who wants to do something similar to the Dodwells get in touch with her by calling 519-351-4010.
