A full day of events is planned to mark World Homeless Day.
Oct. 10, the Homeless Coalition of Timmins and community partners are holding a number of events to shine the light on homelessness locally.
Everyone in the community is invited to attend the workshops throughout the day.
A session in the morning will reveal the results of a homelessness enumeration study from this past spring.
KayLee Morissette, Cochrane District Social Planning Council outgoing regional coordinator, said it will give an idea of “who is actually experiencing homelessness in Timmins, what their living circumstances are and why they feel like they are homeless.”
The session will also have a Feed It Forward update and a presentation from the Homeless Coalition of Timmins.
After hearing the evidence available, attendees can make recommendations to combat homelessness in the city.
An overnight event had also been planned for students at Gillies Lake, but has been cancelled due to the weather.
“All of the events check off the boxes of the purpose of World Homeless Day, but it’s really important that we get the feedback from the community on how we can address local issues moving forward,” Morissette said.
Year-round, there are ways for people to help out in the community.
Cochrane District Social Planning Council incoming regional coordinator Madison Mizzau said volunteers are needed at places like Living Space, the food banks, Project Love, or Hope Comfort Kits and Community Outreach.
“As a community member, I think one of the best things that you can do is just educate yourself first and foremost about the issue in Timmins,” she said.
Tomorrow’s schedule in Timmins includes:
• 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., Community Feedback Forum at the Porcupine Dante Club.
• 3 – 4 p.m., Soup and Sandwich Making workshop at the Timmins Native Friendship Centre.
• 3 – 4 p.m., Living Space grand opening, donor recognition and memorial.
