March 11, 2002

Homeless in Kingston to receive emotional support

KINGSTON, ONTARIO - The Ryandale Shelter in Kingston will soon be increasing the services available to its clients, with the addition of an Emotional Support Worker to their staff. The Honourable Peter Milliken, Member of Parliament for Kingston and the Islands, welcomed the announcement of funding of $20,000 under the Supporting Communities Partnership Initiative (SCPI), of the National Homelessness Initiative, by the Honourable Claudette Bradshaw, Minister of Labour and Federal Co-ordinator on Homelessness. The funding will help the Ryandale Shelter for the Homeless to offer this much-needed service.

"Meeting the needs of the homeless population in Kingston is the primary mandate of organizations like the Ryandale Shelter," said Mr. Milliken. "Providing emotional support, in addition to the already existing physical services, highlights their strong commitment to fulfilling this mandate. I am delighted that the Government of Canada is a partner in this endeavour." 

The Government of Canada's contribution will enable the Ryandale Shelter for the Homeless to hire an Emotional Support Worker to help clients who are dealing with emotional crises. The responsibilities of this position include crisis intervention, intensive counseling, referral to appropriate resources, case management, and follow-up. In addition, this individual will prepare a training plan, which will be used to train shelter staff in how to deal with clients who suffer from mental illness.

"This position is unique in that it is a collaboration of shelters working together to support the homeless within the shelter environment rather than relying on the services of the hospitals and the police," said Terri Fleming, Executive Director, Ryandale Shelter. 

The SCPI enables communities to bring together various partners to develop local solutions to their particular homelessness needs and issues. The $305 million SCPI is key component of the Government of Canada's $753 million National Homelessness Initiative. Through the SCPI, communities in Ontario will receive over $99 million to prevent and alleviate homelessness.

The National Homelessness Initiative is making a difference by using a community-based approach to help develop solutions that work for communities. Funding for the Initiative was provided for in the December 2001 federal Budget and is built into the existing fiscal framework.

For more information on the Government of Canada's National Homelessness Initiative, visit our web site at www.hrdc.gc.ca/homelessness

For more information, contact:

Bob Howsam, Government of Canada: (416) 954-7810 

David Klug,  Minister Bradshaw's Office: (819) 953-5646

Terri Fleming, Ryandale Shelter for the Homeless: (613) 548-8466