Community4Connection

2014

Community4Connection

A BIG thank you to all of the agencies, volunteers, service providers and donors for this year’s Community4Connection.

We had over 200 visitors, 50 volunteers, 16 agencies, 20 flu shots given and around 10 haircuts. And lots of lasagna shared!

The following agencies were present: Four Directions, Salvation Army, Soul’s Harbour, All Nations Hope, Pro Bono Clinic, Aboriginal Family Services, Addictions, Street Project, SEARCH, First Nations Employment Centre, Regina Anti-Poverty Ministry, Carmichael Outreach, Regina Food Bank, AIDS Program South Saskatchewan, Queen City Tenant’s Association, Indian Metis Christian Fellowship and Eagle Moon Health Office.

This year’s meal will be catered by Street Culture and sponsored by Saskatchewan building Trades and Sask NWT Allied Council---LASAGNA!

Coffee and Muffins was supplied by Salvation Army. Winter clothing will be provided by Indian Metis Christian Fellowship and North Central Community Association. Four Directions Community Health Centre provided flu shots and Street Survival Guides. Soul’s Harbour will be providing underwear and free haircuts. North Central Community Association provided foot care

The event takes place with help from Indian Metis Christian Fellowship, Project People, Salvation Army, Knox-Metropolitan United Church and the University of Saskatchewan Nursing Students.

Thank you to Wayne Mantyka for covering the event on CTV.

What an amazing phenomenon it has become.

FYI – Saskatoon is putting on their first ‘Connect ‘ event this spring.

2013:

This was our third year. Community4Connection is a one day, one stop shop of services for people who are homeless, experiencing housing or hunger issues or at risk of being homeless. It is modeled after “Project Homeless Connect” that takes place in other cities.

165 visitors came to connect with almost 20 agencies. Sandwiches were supplied by PR Investments and Subway. This was arranged by Business 100 students from our University of Regina. Regina Food Bank, Soul’s Harbour Rescue Mission, Indian Metis Christian Fellowship and Project People supplied clothing and personal hygiene items. Four Directions Community Health Centre performed 50 flu immunizations.

BIG thank you to all of the volunteers, donors and agencies who make this possible.

2012:

The second annual Community4Connection event was hosted by Knox Metropolitan United Church, Salvation Army, Regina Qu’Appelle Health Region, Carmichael Outreach, Nursing Education Program of Saskatchewan, Regina Food Bank, All Nation’s Hope, and Project People.

Community4Connection is a one day, one stop shop of services for any person in need, whether they are absolutely homeless or at risk of being homeless. It is modeled after “Project Homeless Connect” that takes place in other cities.

2012’s participating agencies included Partners in Employment, Queen City Tenant’s Assoc., Dumont Technical Institute, SIAST Dental Hygiene Clinic, AIDS Program South Saskatchewan, SEARCH, Esperanza Development Corp., Indian Metis Christian Fellowship, North Central Community Association, Soul’s Harbour Rescue Mission, Human Resources & Skills Development Canada, Regina Anti Poverty Ministry.

The Regina Qu’appelle Health Region was well represented with Sexual Health, Mental Health and Addictions, Four Directions Community Health Centre, Eagle Moon Health Office and Primary Health Care. RQHR provided 40 flu immunizations, health information, sessions with traditional healers, oversaw the kids’ station and handed out Street Survival Guides. Four Directions and the Nursing Education Program lead the planning and coordination of the event.

This year’s event saw approximately 150 people come in the door. Volunteers offered coat check service and a welcome bag. Coffee, muffins, soup and buns were available through out the day. In the giveaway area there was underwear, secondhand clothing, food items and self care items. Some participants were treated to foot care and haircuts. Volunteers and agency staff were on hand to help with housing and identification applications.

Holding a smaller event than last year was a positive because those who came in the door were welcome to take their time and hang around. Host agencies are already planning next year’s event.

Community4Connection

Saturday, September 10, 2011

Knox Metropolitan Church

2330 Victoria Ave.

On Saturday, September 10, the first Community4Connection event was held at the Knox Metropolitan Church. This gathering was inspired by the Project Homeless Connect events held in other Canadian cities. The initiative brings together free services, and volunteers to reach out to the homeless or those at risk of being homeless.

Regina’s homeless population is unique. Unable to survive our winters outdoors, our homeless are living in overcrowded conditions, couch surfing, in poor housing or even garages and vehicles. Therefore, Community4Connection offered an open door to anyone who felt they were in need.

Planning began in the spring with Salvation Army, Carmichael Outreach, Four Directions Community Health Centre, North Central Community Association, Common Weal, Knox Metropolitan Church and Project People.

Service agencies like Regina Food Bank, Social Services and Mental Health and Addictions set up booths with information, giveaways and a person to connect with. There was also a “free store” offering school supplies, hygiene items, second hand clothing and a few household items. The centre of the room was dedicated to enjoying a coffee and a hot meal. Volunteers were able to serve people and even take time to sit down to chat. One agency decided to dedicate their presence to this café style of connecting rather than having a booth.

One gentleman was given a Street Survival Guide with contacts highlighted for him to track down a bed frame. Another lady was given housing applications for her daughter who is a single mother. A couple of people were lined up with shelter for that night. Other people enjoyed massages given by the Regina Native Outreach Ministry.

The amount of donated items that were given away was astounding. A mountain of soaps, shampoos, lotions etc were given away by Sandman Hotel employees. Boxes and boxes of groceries were put out by the Regina Food Bank. REACH handed out 3 boxes of apples.

Agencies were also able to network with each other throughout the day.

Over fifty volunteers took part in the day, serving soup and bannock, welcoming people into the building, guiding people through the maze, offering childcare and often lending a sympathetic ear.

It is estimated that 400 people came through the door.