More than 100 Islanders access 'client-centred' social services pilot in 1st month

A pilot project to bring social services closer to thepeople who need themis attracting a crowd in downtown Charlottetown.

In January, theprovince announced plansto create a space to bring together government and community services such as help with employment, financial assistance counselling, food and housing and make them more accessible to Islandersstruggling with issues including homelessness, poverty or mental health.

The province reports 133 people have used the rented space at 211Euston St. since its doors opened Jan. 15.

"It's client-centred, so it means that services that the clients need on an everyday basis, they don't have to go looking for them, they're actually there,"said Mike Redmond, organizer of the Community Outreach Centre.

"They don't have to phone someone, they don't have to navigate a system."

'Opportunity to avert crisis'

The centre is located in a former retail space on a corner lot in a busy downtown residential neighbourhood. The people who drop in are looking for help with theday-to-day challenges of making ends meet:securingemployment, finding housing, getting social assistance benefits, and ensuring food security, among others.

The pilot is a collaboration between theP.E.I. Department of Social Development and Housing and local community groups and service providers. Redmond saidthere are anywhere from 10 to 15 partners offering services in the shared space.

A working group consisting of service providers, government and local community activists isworkingto ensurethe Community Outreach Centre better serves the people who drop in.

This includes highlighting and addressing gaps in their sharednetworks, like ensuring clients have somewhere to go between the homeless shelters closing in the morning and reopening in the evening, as well as transportation to and from those spaces.

Redmond saidhousing is acommon topic among clients coming in the door.

"Whether it's addictions, mental health, or seeking jobs, if you don't have a home or a roof over your head, it's hard to address the other area of concern," he said.

"We have the opportunity to avert crisis and sometimes do some mediation with tenants and landlords and we found that quite [an] effective way of keeping people in long-term, stable housing."

Frigid weather in recent days has increased the activity in the centre. On a cold day, Redmond saidthey could get anywhere from 40 to 50 people.

Pilot evaluation

The pilot project runs until April 1, and then there will be an assessmentof whether a centre like the temporary storefront on Euston is a long-term need for thosein thecity.

The province has provided an initial budget of $50,000 for the program this winter, whichcovers rent and other expenses for the site.

The space also serves asa warming centrewith laundry, phone and computer access for clients.

More from CBC P.E.I.