November 28, 2002

Homeless youth to benefit from expansion to drop-in centre in Kingston

KINGSTON, ONTARIO-Project Reconciliation has plans to expand the services and hours of The Other Side Youth Drop-In Centre, a program helping to alleviate the hardships faced by homeless youth in Kingston. The Honourable Peter Milliken, Member of Parliament for Kingston and the Islands, welcomed the announcement of $10,500 in funding through the Youth component of the Supporting Communities Partnership Initiative (SCPI), under the National Homelessness Initiative (NHI), by the Honourable Claudette Bradshaw, Minister of Labour and Federal Coordinator on Homelessness. The funding will help Project Reconciliation meet the objectives of their proposed expansion.

"For 24 years Project Reconciliation has been providing counseling and support to inmates, ex-inmates, victims, and their families and friends," said Mr. Milliken. "Expanding the services provided by The Other Side is indicative of this continuing commitment to improving the lives of homeless people in Kingston, especially our youth."

The Government of Canada's contribution will enable Project Reconciliation to expand the hours of operation of The Other Side Youth Drop-In Centre from three to five evenings a week. This will result in the provision of more regular services to youth, including shower and laundry facilities, as well as counseling and referral services. In addition, increased outreach efforts will enable the volunteers and staff at The Other Side to establish trusting relationships with young people who need support and assistance. 

"This financial support comes at a critical time as our street youth face the winter months ahead. At the same time, it provides a much needed encouragement to our two young, dedicated youth workers and their volunteers," said Cameron Clark, Board Chair of Project Reconciliation. "The Kingston community will welcome this expression of Government support for homelessness."

The Supporting Communities Partnership Initiative enables communities to bring together various partners to develop local solutions to their particular homelessness needs and issues. The $305-million SCPI is a key component of the Government of Canada's $753-million National Homelessness Initiative. Through the SCPI, communities in Ontario have received over $120 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.

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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:

Brian Groat 
Government of Canada 
(416) 954-7810 

David Klug
Minister Bradshaw's office 
(819) 953-5646

Cameron Clark
Project Reconciliation 
(613) 549-8899