Timmins will be highlighting the homeless community today.
A number of local organizations will be working together to celebrate World Homeless Day by educating the community on the struggles, issues and supports for people in Timmins. Tomorrow will feature a number of events including:
● Community Feedback Forum – 10 am to 2 pm (Porcupine Dante Club): This event will feature presentations on the latest homeless enumeration data in Timmins, developing a community plan to address homelessness, and progress updates for the Youth Wellness Hub. A free lunch will be provided.
● Soup and Sandwich Making – 3 pm to 4 pm (Timmins Native Friendship Centre): In this workshop, public health dietitian Victoria Hall and chef Yves Duguay will teach participants how to make a delicious vegetable soup and sandwiches.
● Living Space Grand Opening, Donor Recognition, and Memorial – 3 pm to 4 pm (Living Space): Join funders, government officials, Living Space staff and committee members in this grand opening ceremony and memorial for lives that have been lost due to homelessness.
● Homelessness Experience Sleepover – 6 pm to 6 am (Gillies Lake soccer field): Students and chaperones are invited to attend this event, alongside service providers, in order to experience homelessness for one cold night. Students will take part in a scavenger hunt activity to build their own shelter. Soup and sandwiches will be served in the evening.
Homelessness has been a hot topic in the community over the past few weeks and was even brought up at the Timmins mayoral debate last week. The Cochrane District Social Planning Council says people will learn about rising number of people who are homeless due to a host of intersecting issues, including an affordable housing crisis and drastic increases in the cost of living in Timmins.
The Cochrane District Social Planning Council says all of the events planned are free, however food and money donations will be accepted at each event.