United Way Perth Huron (UWPH) has launched a fundraising campaign to establish a new Connection Centre in Goderich.
According to a press release from UWPH, the campaign has been launched with the support of the Canadian Mental Health Association Huron Perth (CMHA HP). The goal of the eventual Goderich Connection Centre is to make a "welcoming space where people experiencing homelessness, housing instability, poverty, mental health challenges, addictions and social isolation can access supports," according to UWPH.
There are already existing Connection Centres in Exeter, Wingham and Stratford. The Goderich centre will be housing-focused and voluntary. The goal is to offer basic needs at the centre including food, showers, laundry facilities, warming and cooling relief and a safe place to spend time.
Trained staff at the centre will help connect people to longer-term supports including housing resources, health-care services, mental health and addiction supports.
CMHA HP will operate the centre in Goderich and offer their mental health and addictions services within the space, as well.
To open the centre, a total of $906,000 is needed to renovate the building and support its first year of operation. Renovations will include adding private meeting rooms, staff offices, accessible showers and washrooms, laundry facilities, storage areas and a small commercial kitchen.
"Connection centres work because they remove barriers to access and meet people where they are," said Ryan Erb, CEO of UWPH. "People can walk into a connection centre and find a sense of belonging, along with access to supports that can help them move toward permanent housing and stability."
