Homelessness is on the rise in Chatham-Kent and with greater numbers comes the increased probability of tragedy.
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Homelessness is on the rise in Chatham-Kent and with greater numbers comes the increased probability of tragedy.
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This has been seen by Chatham Hope Haven.
General manager Loree Bailey said in “our community of regulars” there were two deaths over the holidays.
“It really inspired us to think about the people left behind, the people that loved those folks that died,” she added.
Hope Haven is holding an Affirmation of Hope memorial on Jan. 31, with the candle light event beginning at 6 pm outside of its facility at 183 Wellington St. W. in Chatham.
“This is a memorial, really to celebrate the lives lost,” Bailey said, adding not just specifically the two people who died over the holidays.
“Just, generally, we know that people are dying from homelessness right in our community.”
The memorial is being called an ‘affirmation of hope,’ Bailey said, “Because we don’t want people to lose hope.
“We are out there trying to bring hope to what some people may call hopeless.”
It will be a very positive memorial to recognize all lives lived and all lives that have been lost, she said.
It will also reinforce the commitment of Hope Haven to keep doing what it’s been doing, she added.
“It’s just a wide open invitation, anyone can come,” Bailey said.
The plan is to follow up the first memorial with regular candle light events being held the first Monday of every month beginning in March, she said.
The need for services at the shelter is growing, Bailey said.
She points to last weekend when Hope Haven stayed open from 10 am Friday to 7 am Sunday to help people cope with the extreme cold weather.
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A total of 57 people came to the shelter seeking services provided by Hope Haven including a hot meal, a shower and access to a phone and the Internet.
“They needed a place to be or a place to eat or a place to have heat,” Bailey said.
Serving in her position, Bailey said she is well aware there are people living precariously across Chatham-Kent, but she was still shocked that some people have no heat.
“People were coming in wearing seven layers of clothes telling me, ‘We don’t have heat at home.’”
With winter in full force, Bailey anticipates the need will be even greater.
“Last year, we didn’t extend our hours until February, this year we’ve been extending our hours already.”