North Shore Mayor Tony Moor has officially accepted the homelessness challenge that was announced earlier this week by Elliot Lake Mayor Dan Marchisella.
On Tuesday, June 14, Mayor Moor took the opportunity to visit the Maplegate shelter to speak with Theresa Hiuser, the interim executive director for the Elliot Lake Women’s Group.
“Absolutely flabbergasted by the fact that there is no (government) funding available specifically for Larry’s Place,” says Mayor Moor.
Hiuser had the opportunity to explain to Mayor Moor during his visit about the services available at Larry’s Place and the lack of funding.
Mayor Moor told ElliotLakeToday that “he wasn’t directly aware of the amount of homelessness” in our area and it was “surprising to learn the number of individuals who in fact, remain homeless.”
He also feels that both the provincial and federal governments have let the responsibility slide down to the municipal level.
Mayor Moor said he doesn’t understand why the government won’t provide some type of funding.
Hiuser and her team are grateful that members of the local government and community are recognizing the homelessness crisis we are experiencing in our local area.
Although Mayor Moor has accepted the challenge, he won’t be able to commit to the full week-long experience. With the short notice and scheduled business commitments, he will do what he can to actively support this awareness campaign.
His goal is to raise as much money as the Township of the North Shore can in order to assist with the continued operation of Larry’s Place in Elliot Lake.
With what Mayor Moor has learned since accepting the challenge, he is committed to creating more awareness on the homelessness issue. He plans to discuss new and effective ways to promote awareness along the North Shore with council.
He feels that as a government official he has an obligation to be a positive role model and that we all have a “responsibility one way or another to look out for each other.”
Mayor Tony Moor will be reaching out to businesses and community members along the North Shore for pledges. You can contact him directly at 705-849-4126 to donate or for more information.
Blind River Mayor Sally Hagman also reached out to Hiuser about the homelessness challenge. With regrets she is not able to participate due to prior commitments but has told Hiuser that she will support the challenge financially.
ElliotLakeToday reached out to Mayor Dan Marchisella to find out his reaction to hearing that Mayor Moor accepted his challenge.
“It’s awesome that he not only accepted the challenge but plans to extend the challenge to his council and community,” said Mayor Marchisella.
Marchisella hopes that “if enough local governments get involved our voices will be heard by senior government leaders.”
A GoFundMe page has been set up by the Elliot Lake Women's Group in support of Larry’s Place. You can help Mayor Marchisella reach his goal by donating here.