Stratford Perth Shelterlink is looking for a few new board members.
Barb Cottle is the Co-Chair of the Board. She says Shelterlink has been around in various forms since the 1990s, providing shelter to young people between the ages of sixteen and twenty-four, and she says the need for what they do has grown considerably over the last few years.
“COVID hit us hard and we're still coming out of that. This year the board has come up with a new strategic direction, a new strategic plan. We're very excited we're going to be focusing on housing first and diversion, so we're pleased with the direction Shelterlink's going," Cottle said.
Cottle says they partner with community agencies.
“We partner with community agencies to offer wrap-around support for the youth so that we can help them be supported in whatever their needs are to become permanently housed. The idea of diversion is that, if possible, we keep them from the shelter by finding them a family member or a friend," explained Cottle.
She says that way they can be supported without having to use the shelter, but if they do need the shelter, it's there for them. She says their ultimate goal is to get the roof over their head and then support them so they can become independent.
Cottle says they're hoping to add a few new directors to their board.
“Whether they are compassionate about what we do or about their community and want to be part of what we do or we're specifically looking for people, if possible, who have expertise in HR, or legal or financial," Cottle stated.
Cottle says the best way for anyone who is interested in sitting on the board is to go to their Facebook page and there is a link there to the Google form they fill out.
