Paul Vanderlaan, who volunteers with a steering committee looking at what is needed to set up a replacement for LifeShelter, said following a tour of Harvest House in Moncton it was evident that everyone needs to be on board and involved to make this work.
Paul Vanderlaan, who volunteers with a steering committee looking at what is needed to set up a replacement for LifeShelter, said following a tour of Harvest House in Moncton it was evident that everyone needs to be on board and involved to make this work.
“We spoke to members of the Harvest House board who shared with our group the struggles and success of running a shelter,” he said. “ What was learned from this was that the community needs to be behind you 100 per cent and the community needs to own the shelter whole heartily in order to have success. A shelter needs to be accountable to the public and the public and business need to be on board not only financially but volunteering as well of their time.”
The committee was struck after it was announced in October the LifeShelter would not reopen. The emergency winter shelter cared for approximately 30 different people each season for various lengths of stay since it opened five years ago on Marsh Street, New Glasgow. It also offered a community breakfast program that served 30 to 60 people on any given morning. Declining membership at the host church, financial pressures and the recent resignation of its pastor were listed as contributing reasons.
Representatives from Harvest House recently attended a public meeting on issue and said it would be interested in opening its own faith-based shelter in Pictou County or assisting local people with setting up their own shelter.
Harvest House has been operating since 1997 in Moncton and was originally opened as a community drop-in centre. It has evolved into a community centre with programs that include emergency shelter, step-up housing, a six- to nine-month addiction recovery program, life skills, GED and daily biblical studies.
Vanderlaan said Harvest House was impressive because its serves many different needs in the community.
“There are the physical needs, life skills needs and as well as spiritual needs of people. Also on site is an addiction recovery house that has a program to help people with addictions of all kinds and assist them in having hope for the future,” he said. “There are emergency beds for a person to come off the streets and get a warm meal, shower and a bed. As well there are private rooms with common area kitchens and bathrooms that people can rent at a low cost that will assist persons in struggling times to get them going again. Persons who have completed their sentences coming out of a correctional facility could rent these as they are in the process of re-integrating into society as an example.”
As well, Vanderlaan said, Harvest House has caseworkers who will assess and discuss with people what their specific needs are and make a plan with them to fulfill their goals and what needs to get done.
There is also an emergency shelter section with bunk beds and linen where people could stay for a night or two. Anyone staying overnight did have chores the next morning as part of staying overnight such as cleaning, making beds, etc.
The steering committee also toured the step-up program where people can rent a one bedroom for low cost. Buildings had cameras and a person 24 hours a day for security.
He said the steering committee will meet next week to discuss what steps it will take next in regards to bringing a shelter to Pictou County.
