NEWS RELEASE
NORTHERN COLLEGE
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Northern College will be partnering with Living Space and the Cochrane District Social Services Administration Board (CDSSAB) to provide emergency accommodations for overflow clients of the downtown homeless shelter.
Effective Thursday, March 26, a portion of the residence at Northern College’s Timmins campus will be opened to those who cannot currently be housed at Living Space’s downtown location. This move is being made to ensure that protocol directives for social distancing from all levels of government and health authorities are being met in the midst of the COVID-19 outbreak.
“We are pleased to be able to offer up some of our residence capacity to help alleviate the stress currently being placed on local homeless shelters and social service providers,” stated Dr. Fred Gibbons, Northern College President and CEO. “This is a trying time for all of us. It is also a time for togetherness, understanding and charity. Northern College is proud to uphold these values and open its facilities to the most vulnerable populations of society.”
Living Space employees will also be working on-site 24 hours a day, seven days a week to ensure that individuals are provided the support and resources required to continue making progress on Housing Plans. Additional community resources are being deployed to provide support as needed, including additional security to accommodate the increased attendance in the residence.
“The barriers facing our most vulnerable populations are considerable, and they are exacerbated at a time like this. Decisions have to be made to quickly mobilize members of our community as we recognize our College and community’s social obligation to provide for those who do not have housing options and need to be well,” stated Gibbons. “We are balancing our ability to be there for our region with those of our neighbours, and we thank everyone for their patience and understanding as we undertake the steps necessary to respond to the need for increased social distancing and self-isolation for this vulnerable population.”
Northern College will be administrating the recommended sanitization, disinfection and hygiene precautions public health has outlined throughout this time, along with enforcing close monitoring and restricted access points required for self-isolation and social distancing protocols to ensure the safety of both community residents and this vulnerable population.
“Northern College has often been a destination for those who need temporary housing, including flood evacuees from Kashechewan in the past, and are willing to step up and respond to the need for a short-term, temporary solution for those who cannot live elsewhere to live,” stated Gibbons.
Individuals requiring this support are required to call or attend Living Space to complete the intake and screening process. Please contact the 24/7 Feedback Line at 705-531-7233 Ext. 0 or visit 27 Cedar St N, Timmins, Ont., if you require help.
"We would like to express our immense gratitude to Northern College for providing temporary housing for the homeless in our community. This partnership is vital to ensure that those who are experiencing homelessness or at-risk of experiencing homelessness are able to follow the self-isolation directives provided by the Porcupine Health Unit and Ministry of Health during this pandemic period, stated Jason Sereda, Executive Director of Living Space. “This partnership allows a vulnerable population to do it's part to flatten the curve and ensures all our community members have access to the resources required to stay safe."
The residence rooms have been newly equipped with televisions and supplies generously donated by local businesses to help these new residents stay busy during their self-isolation. Northern College takes pride in the communities it calls home and part of that pride includes providing the supports necessary to contribute to the safety and well-being of all residents, not just those connected to, or attending classes at its campuses.
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