“If our community works together, we will see an end to homelessness.”
This from Leona Doerksen, Founder and Board Chair of The INN (Initiative for Neighbourly Nights) – a shelter that will provide immediate low-barrier transitional housing for up to 18 months.
“That’s a big vision,” she admits. “But that’s what visions are. If we work on prevention, I believe we can do it.”
Of course, The INN is just one piece of the homelessness puzzle, but she is confident that the other pieces will come together.
Doerksen reveals that Hillside Construction, together with Lisa Clark Design, have put together a beautiful building concept.
“Now, we need to raise funds to build it!”
That’s why The INN and their growing number of supporters are now launching their capital campaign, called 100/1000.
“It’s a grassroots community campaign meant to show our capital investors that the people of the Southeast are standing with us in addressing homelessness,” states Doerksen. “So our goal is to raise $100,000 towards the build. It’s so doable! All it will take is 100 people or groups to donate $1000 each, or 1000 people to donate $100 each.”
Why a goal of $100,000? Because that’s approximately the number of people in the Southeast region of the province.
“That’s our reach, and that’s why we have this goal – we’ll be providing service for the entire region. It represents a dollar per person. And as of first day of fundraising, today, we are well over fifteen percent of the way there.”
Of course, Doerksen notes they will gladly accept any amount, but the point of the campaign is to demonstrate just how realistic their goal really is.
Individuals, small groups, family groups, small businesses… people are learning about The INN, are getting behind the cause, and are showing their support.
Momentum is building.
“We’ve had several churches provide seed funds and now they’re coming on board with the build as well,” she adds. “Person after person is stepping up and saying, ‘What can we do, how can we help?’”
As Doerksen and the Board of The INN have shared from the beginning, they will be looking to the provincial government to help with staffing costs, which is the bulk of their operational budget. She believes that the community and its churches will help offset other operational costs.
“But the bottom line is, we need to go into this mortgage-free,” she emphasizes. “It’s really the only way any kind of supportive housing can afford to operate.”
Doerksen points out that almost everyone they’ve interacted with agree that the Southeast needs a shelter. And the Board of The INN is leaning on well-established expertise.
“We’re not reinventing the wheel. Housing security is our focus; we’re using the National Housing First Strategy. It’s the right approach to helping people without homes. Because regardless of their needs, once they’re given a roof over their head, they can get back on their feet.”
Doerksen explains that part of The INN’s strategies is diversion.
“Basically, this means that if people come in from outside the region looking for shelter, we will help them safely return to wherever they came from. We also hope to offer mediation services to those who need help maintaining their current housing if it becomes insecure. If it is safe for them to stay where they are, we will offer to help work out solutions.”
“We are all learning,” she continues.
“If homelessness doesn’t touch your family and the people you know, you may not understand how someone could find themselves in that situation. Homelessness has many roots including childhood abuse or abandonment, illness, unemployment, addictions, unaffordable housing, or all the above. It gets to be really complicated. That’s the nature of homelessness. And we know that a big part of the solution is a housing-focused strategy.”
Doerksen says that staff at The INN, who will be trained in Addictions and Community Outreach, will use a person-centered approach. Or, in other words, will support what people innately know will work for them.
“For example, when it comes to addressing addictions, people will be empowered to access the help they want.”
Whether it’s Adult Teen Challenge, a community 12-step group, treatment through healthcare services, or a combination of these, staff at The INN will help guests get connected to services.
“We will be offering space for service providers to come in, or will be referring people to services in our community. Either way, we will collaborate, without duplicating existing services. As other shelters in the Province have shown, this can mean less visits to the ER and less police involvement, which are very, very expensive ways to address homelessness. “
The INN has already seen tremendous support from people who agree that something needs to be done, and that something can be done.
“I’ve personally been so encouraged by individuals, and they know who they are, who have stepped up and given so generously from the resources they have. A project like this can’t be done without these folks.”
“It’s in giving that we receive, right? Sometimes we can think that the more money you have, the happier we’ll be. It’s not that money can’t buy fun, but that’s not what ultimately gives meaning and purpose to our lives,” reflects Doerksen. “Investing in people pays off for generations to come.
When I see people give, that touches my heart – people who use what they’ve been given to bless others.”
“Homelessness does not equal hopelessness. We invite everyone to join us and be part of the solution, because it’s what love requires.” To learn more about The INN or to donate, visit their website: steinbachinn.ca.