- by Michelle Solaro
“ Generosity could be as contagious as the zombie plague as long as enough people were willing to be carriers” – Jonathan Maberry.”
Homelessness is pervasive. Food prices are rising, housing costs have risen faster. As temperatures drop, so have the places one can come in from the cold. How do you spend your day when it’s -25 degrees Celsius, and you are sleeping in a stairwell or on someone’s couch? You are cold, hungry, and weary. You are tired of scrambling daily to find a place to sleep, food to eat, warmth, and help with your problems. You can’t pull yourself up by the bootstraps when you have no boots. That’s when Safe ‘N Sound Grey Bruce is there to help with support services and a listening ear.
Safe ‘N Sound provides Crisis Intervention, Emergency Phone Line, Transitional housing, harm reduction, onsite nursing staff every Tuesday, Grab ‘n Go bags, coffee, showers, laundry, clothing, computers, phones and companionship.
Winter can be brutal for those struggling with poverty, housing, and mental health struggles. The issues are compounded when you add in the pandemic. The usual places to warm up and chat with friends have not been an option. Agencies that people have relied on in the past have had to change how they deliver services during lock-downs. However, Safe ‘N Sound has remained open throughout the pandemic while adhering to Public Health and Provincial regulations. The drop-in has continued to be the only open Warming Station for most of this winter.
At Safe 'N Sound, we believe that when a person’s primary needs are met, they can focus on future planning, dealing with their problems, and working on hopes and dreams. When people are ready, Safe ‘N Sound is there to help. Nursing services are available on Tuesdays for people who do not access other community health service providers for various reasons. Referrals and networking with other agencies, harm reduction, access to computers, and Peer Support workers help people move out of their present situation and look to a better future.
The exciting news is that the Drop-In location now has a permanent home. Through community support and generosity, the building has been purchased and will continue to operate at 310 8th St. E, Owen Sound, providing a safe space for a long time to come.
The Board of Directors has also had some changes. Trisha Wright has stepped down as Chair and continues her work in a new capacity as the Administrator. Sharon Maddock joins Sarah Pinch as Co-Chairs of the Board, and Sarah Carmicheal continues in the Vice-Chair role.
How YOU can help:
Feb. 26 is Coldest Night of the Year, a national homelessness fundraising initiative with proceeds from each community staying in that community. Safe N Sound is proud to be the host agency in Grey Bruce. Coldest Night of the Year, Safe ‘N Sound’s primary fundraiser. This year it will be a virtual event so you and your team can walk wherever and whenever it is convenient. Teams can be registered online at https://cnoy.org/location/owensound.
If you don’t feel like walking, donations can be made on the same link by donating to a registered walker.
Food: Non- perishable foods can be dropped off at 310 8th St, Owen Sound
Ongoing support: And finally, donations can be made at any time during the year online at: https://safensoundgreybruce.ca
Charitable giving tax receipts will be issued
And finally, a HUGE thank you to the past, present, and future donors in Grey Bruce for making our community a place where compassion lives.
