Campbellton mobilizes to support homeless in city

A Campbelltonorganizationis hoping to deal with the northern city'sgrowing homelessness problem as winter draws closer and living without a home becomes even more difficult.

"It seems to be more evident than it used to be. I'm hearing more stories, especially in the couch surfing area," said Bob Ewing, president of the Restigouche Community Inclusion Network.

The organizationisdevelopinga plan for a drop-in centre in the city of 8,000 in northern New Brunswick.

"We're not ready to move to something like a shelter yet because that's a far more complex project," said Ewing.

I think we need to make it clear to people:you're only just this far off being in the situation yourself.- Bob Ewing, Restigouche Community Inclusion Network

Campbelltonalready has an emergency women's shelter, but men without a permanent home have no place to go. With winter approaching, Ewing says this project is top priority.

"At least they could come to a safe place. It would be warm, it would be dry," he said.

A drop-in centre would also provide access to resources for people without a home. Without a shelter or enhanced social services, it is impossible to gather accurate information on the number of homeless in the city.

"The problem comes from the fact that it's the homeless that we don't see. Particularly the people that are couch-surfing," said Ewing.

He notes that many new faces in town are young people, living as transients.

Few have family connections in the areaand many spend their days in the local shopping centre or library.

A committee meeting last week to discuss the drop-in centre project attracted only two people.

Invisible problem

In the 30 years since he opened his business, Yves Dumais, a grocer in the city, said hewas oblivious to homelessness in the city.

"Then, one morning last summer I looked and saw some sleeping bags and some stuff, but nobody. I would like to remove that, but I waited," said Dumais.

The blankets in the alleyway beside his business weren't bothering him, so he left them. Eventually, they were moved, and he hasn't seen anyone in the area since.

He still reflects on the memory, though, especially as the temperature plummets. He hopes a drop-in centre can be created.

"It's cold. Winter will come inand it's not easy," said Dumais.

Some resources exist for the needy in Campbellton, including a soup kitchen and food and clothing bank.

The RestigoucheCounty Volunteer Action Association helps 500 families a month.

"Compared to 10years ago, Iwould say it went up 10 per cent," said executive director Rachelle Ouellette.

"They come here for lunch and then they leave."

While the organization is open to the hungry, it is not a place to stay.

Ouellette says the transient community in Campbellton is growing, and the numbers are hard to pinpoint.

Time for action

RestigoucheCommunity Inclusion Network'sEwingsaid he is disappointed with the two-person turnout at the community inclusion network's first meeting regarding the drop-in centre.

But he said he believes the community's apathy stems from a lack of understanding.

Loss of employment, family disputesand illness can all result in poverty and homelessness. He said he believes if the people of Campbelltonrealize the perilousness of theirownsituations, they may be more inclined to help others.

"Do you wanna wait until you're there to help develop the services, or do you want to do it before you get there?" said Ewing.

In a promotional video for community inclusion network, Ewing speaks alongside Paul Savoie,a formerly homeless man from Campbellton.

"I've come to the point now where it literally is one day at a time," he says in the video.

"Idon't look beyond that because it causes worry and stress which is an extra burden I can't deal with at this point."

Ewing says the drop-in centre would provide relief to people like Savoie, and human connection that many living on the streets are unable to get anywhere else.

Once a working group is formed, funds will be collected to rent a facility.

"I think this is a problem that affects us all," said Ewing.

"There's no reason for anybody in this country to be homeless, hungry, or living in poverty."