By Lindsey Harren [1]
BELLEVILLE– Loyalist College students were among the many people who slept outside last week to raise awareness about the tolls of homelessness.
Students in the social service worker program were among those who gathered together for the “Sleep Out! So Others Can Sleep In” at Market Square.
The event,organized annually by the Canadian Mental Health Association- Hastings and Prince Edward branch [2], raised $13,000. Their goal each year is to raise $10,000. People participating in the overnight event were encouraged to collect donations through pledges.
That money will go towards the CMHA’s four transitional houses located in Belleville’s west end. The branch has 20 beds in total and rent is charged. Counsellors are offered to tenants to help them secure economic stability so they can move out of transitional housing.
Mark Gallupe, the co-ordinator for the social work program said the students who were out were mostly in first year. He said this event helps bring people together.
“It’s part of their commitment to our field of recognizing the needs in our community and helping out,”said Gallupe
Donald Rioux, a first-year social service worker student, said that they were not staying outside to prove anything. They were there to raise awareness about homelessness to the community.
Sandie Sidsworth, executive director for CMHA-Hastings and Prince Edward said that she is amazed that so many people continue to show up after 10 years.
“We always hope for $10,000 because that allows us to really do some amazing things,” she said.
Sidsworth said that some of the money this year is going towards replacing over 20 electronic locks for their clients doors. Each person in the CMHA’s transitional houses has their own secure room. She said that this ensures that they feel valued in that environment.
She said transitional housing is all about providing people in need with a safe and comfortable place. An atmosphere where they feel respected. She said without this event they would not be able to create a place for their clients where they would feel dignified.
“It allows us to paint, it allows us to purchase new mattresses,” said Sidsworth.
However, providing dignified housing is becoming increasingly difficult. She said that events such as the pending close of Bel Marine [3] Retirement Residence has caused a “bottleneck” for housing.
“We usually refuse between five to nine people a day because our beds are filled. So the need hasn’t gone away,” said Sidsworth.