On Nov. 27, the community was able to express its concerns on the subject of adding a transition shelter as well as a new men's shelter on Mississauga Avenue and Lawrence Avenue.
The Something More Project, run by the Elliot Lake Women's Group, hopes for a winter opening for those who are need. Presently, there isn't a men's shelter available for those who are displaced and need help.
Maple Gate House for Women Director Melody Rose explained that the project has been in talks for a few years and the plans to move forward are finally set in motion.
"We need to be part of the solution, not part of the problem," she said. "Currently, there is no place for men to go to if they need help. This project started when a man came to the shelter asking for help. Our staff felt very disheartened when they had to say no because it's strictly a women's shelter."
The project consists of two houses, purchased by Maple Gate with support from the Algoma District Services Administration Board, will have the transition house for women on Lawrence Avenue and the men's shelter on Mississauga Avenue. The men's shelter will be run by Maple Gate.
Sergeant Mart Van Kessel explained that at the present moment, displaced men have been camping out in the bushes behind Esso because there is no place for them to go.
"Right now, for displaced men, there's no where for them to go," he explained. "We can give them the option of staying in a motel in Blind River but a lot won't go because their families are here and their kids go to school here so they would rather stay in the bushes. We are struggling to provide services for them. It's not solving the problems."
The men's shelter will have five beds available. With around the clock video surveillance, residents will also have access to a garage in the back of the house to work on projects and for social activities. This house is situated down the road from Maple Gate and will have resources available to them by Maple Gate when needed.
Presently, Maple Gate has applied to the city of Elliot Lake for zoning on the two houses. This matter will be brought to council next month.
"We want to be good neighbours and we want to work with you," Rose explained, addressing neighbourhood concerns. "We want you to feel comfortable and to approach us with any questions, comments or concerns you may have."
This project, according to Rose, is aiming to help 50 men, or more, each year.
"We want men to come here and have a safe home with warm food to help them get back on their feet," she explained.
The Something More Project on Lawrence Avenue will consist of a six-bed transition home for women who are experiencing housing issues. This home will include security cameras on the premises and will feel like a communal setting, where women are living amongst themselves. This house will rent rooms to women for $400 a month. Women living at this house will have access to transitional outreach programs. Also, occupants will have heat and hydro, basic cable, basic telephone access, laundry facilities and if communal areas are kept in a respectable manner, unlimited internet will be provided.
"We want to provide a safe space for women and their children," expressed Rose. "This project will help women accomplish tasks, such as cooking and cleaning, to help them prepare for when they find a place to live."
At the moment, volunteers are needed to help maintain evening support for the men's shelter. If interested, Rose is asking for the public to contact her either by phone at 705-461-9868 or through email at [email protected]. For more information about the projects, visit here.
"We are looking for overnight shelter volunteers to help from 7 p.m until 7 a.m," she explained. "We're also looking at starting a Friends Program, where an adult will come and interact with an occupant to keep their spirits up."
"Let's do it together. You have more answers than we do."