Our objectives are:

	to promote, encourage and foster self esteem within our street youth
	to prepare our street youth for referral to the appropriate agencies, to develop and implement life skills, advocate further education, employment training and job re-entry programs
	to assist in providing peer counselling services with family crisis, alcohol addiction, drug addiction and homelessness
	to liaise with other charitable, nonprofit community organizations and social services.

 

The Relevant Outcomes of our Youth Advocate 2011CHPP Funding Program are as follows:

	24 youth experiencing homelessness moved to temporary accommodations
	16 youth experiencing homelessness moved to permanent housing
	375 individual hard-to-serve youth accessed our centre
	6,424 visits and meals were provided at our drop in centre
	While at the centre laundry and bath/shower facilities were provided
	17,865 youth hours of accessible service were provided to youth accessing our dropin centre
	11,000 volunteer hours were provided by our valued volunteers
	Street Connection continues to developed ‘trusting relationships’ with our vulnerable youth
	Street Connection assisted with improving relationships between at-risk youth and the agencies and/or services our youth access
	Street Connection continues to recognize our youth who have effectively learnt to self-advocate

 

Our services include:

outreach

life skills groups

supportive counselling

advocacy

basic needs

These involve in centre programs to meet basic needs of youth service provision prevention education parenting education baby food when supplies are available bath and shower facilities hygiene supplies are available laundry facilities -laundry soap, bleach, ‘bounce’ when available health and safety information are available condoms available first aid supplies assists youth in finding housing, food, emergency shelter, medical/health care, education, legal aid, counselling offers meals - Sunday and Monday 5:00 pm to 6:30 pm; Friday and Saturday 8:00 pm to 9:30 pm; coffee served while centre open

Our youth advocacy program serves one of our most vulnerable population - youth ages 16 -24

Street Connection, its’ Board of Directors, staff, volunteers and youth accessing the centre wishes to thank The Corporation of the City of London for its’ continued support of our organization and efforts.

Respectfully yours,

Dick Rastin,

RSSWExecutive Director

LONDON COMMUNITY ADDICTION RESPONSE STRATEGY

(LONDON CAReS)

STREET CONNECTION provides Street Outreach – providing community based street level outreach. Provide services that meet the individual’s immediate needs and connect them to additional services that will improve their health outcomes.

STREET CONNECTION provides Peer Engagement – providing syringe recovery to community members within the geographical boundaries of London CAReS. To build trust and relationships with injection drug users in order to serve their immediate needs and enhance their quality of life.

Project Description

London CAReS is London’s Community Addiction Response Strategy designed to improve the health outcomes of the addicted homeless, thereby reducing the incidence of homelessness and improving the quality of life and business prosperity in the downtown/priority areas.

London CAReS takes a comprehensive approach to substance abuse, integrating and coordinating services, based on the five pillar model of prevention, harm reduction, treatment and enforcement initiatives, along with Community Integration in partnership with the Governments of Canada and Ontario, community partners, local businesses and residents.

The guiding principles of London CAReS are as follows:

	Individuals: The system meets them where they are at and recognizes each person for his/her potential and value;
	Integrations: Integrated management, implementation, and monitoring are key to the success of the strategy;
	Investments: Strategic and sustainable over time (5 year plan); and
	Results: Value for money and outcome evaluation processes are included in the strategy.

STREET CONNECTION supports London’s strategy in taking a comprehensive approach to substance abuse, integrating and coordinating services, based on the five pillar model of prevention, harm reduction, treatment, enforcement initiatives and community integration.

STREET CONNECTION agrees with the vision for a “continuum of care” for the homeless - one that provides ongoing street level contact, outreach and delivery of services, including places to refer the homeless to get off the streets “Safe Haven”, even if for a short time; a pathway to a home, with appropriate wrap around services, including addiction counselling and access to Ontario Works.

STREET CONNECTION concurs with the public consultations heard that our downtown community wants and expects criminals to be dealt with. We also heard the downtown community wants and expects a caring response for the homeless.

STREET CONNECTION understand that outreach will take place at point of need and will include recently released incarcerated individuals acknowledging that an atmosphere of trust will take place over time which will allow outreach to present to and support individuals through the following options:

1.		Referral to a London CAReS “Safe Haven”
2.		Referral to a London CAReS “Outreach van”
3.		Referral to Ontario Works London’s Addiction Services A-Team initiative
4.		Referral to London’s “Hostels to Homes” team
5.		Engaging in the provision of immediate services to the homeless, mentally ill and addicted
6.		Engaging in the immediate provision of services to those in crisis, as a result of their lifestyle of active addiction(s) which requires some form of immediate intervention for the individuals’ safety
7.		Engaging with law enforcement officers as needed
8.		Assisting in a referral process for the incarcerated (youth & adults) leaving EMDC with NFA
9.		Distributing information and making referrals to harm reduction services
10.		Intervening in public disturbances/nuisances as requested

Experience has prepared STREET CONNECTION well for assisting people in different and difficult circumstances.

STREET CONNECTION is committed to enhancing the lives of the individuals. We serve and am able and wishing to work in such a challenging and demanding environment.

STREET CONNECTION operates with a common sense attitude and works effectively within a team environment.

STREET CONNECTION does its' best to empower individuals with the least amount of intrusion within their lives while holding each responsible for their choices.

STREET CONNECTION respects the worth, rights, privileges and privacy of individuals