A new report on poverty in the North Island has revealed some eye-opening numbers.
The region’s sobering and assessment overnight shelter program has seen a staggering 431 per cent increase since 2014 — from 455 stays to 2,417 last year. The overnight shelter program — “a safe place for intoxicated adults” — runs throughout the year and includes a rapid response nursing team, clinical care and comfort and care.
Meanwhile, the number of visits to the Lighthouse Resource Centre increased by 40 per cent since 2016, with a total of 13,964 client visits in 2017. Meals provided have also increased from 14,848 to 24,189 meals from 2014 to 2017, a 63 per cent increase. From 2016-2017, the meals served increased by 17 per cent.
Michael Winter, Community Ministries Supervisor at the Lighthouse Resource Centre, released the report Nov. 11, which broke down the service, resource and program usage in the Mount Waddington service region, which includes communities like Port McNeill and Port Hardy.
“We provide a lot of services, resources and programs. Our centre is open five days a week, but we have a shelter that runs year long. Anywhere from breakfast, lunch to food bags, clothing, hygiene supplies to advocacy, it’s provided year long,” said Winter during an in-person interview.
Day programs open Monday through Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. include front desk services (referrals, faxing, or providing information on resources) and client services by drop-in or appointment. The client services, Winter added, included providing food bags, laundry services, showers, and bus tickets.
The Salvation Army also runs a hot lunch program, which runs during noon-hour. A breakfast club, facilitated by Island Health and Salvation Army employees, also runs through the centre, which has a mission of providing a “holistic client care approach,” stated the report.
The centre also hosts alcohol anonymous meetings every Tuesday and Friday at 12:00 p.m, healing circles every Tuesday at 2:00 p.m., which is facilitated by local Indigenous Elders, and legal services for those involved in the judicial system.
The Salvation Army Mt. Waddington Community Ministries addresses homelessness, addictions, abuse, food security, and advocacy for the region.
“The purpose of all our programs and services is to meet people ‘where they are at’ without judgement. We offer these programs and services,” the report stated, “in a warm, friendly and safe environment that helps us to foster relationships that are nurturing and loving.”
The centre serves the whole Mount Waddington region, which has roughly 12,000 people in the entire area.