General Meeting – Monday, January 9, 2012 – Minutes
GENERAL MEETING MINUTES
Monday, January 9, 2012
10: 07 am – 11:35 am
1. Call to Order – Jens Stickling, Chair
2. Mission Statement
The London Homeless Coalition exists to advise, shape and coordinate community responses to homelessness, and related needs for the London area.
3. Introduction of and welcome to those in attendance
Jens Stickling, Westany Holdings Inc (Chair) Gordon Russell, Mission Services
Jan Richardson, City of London Helene Diesbourg, Sisters of St, Josephs
Darlene Ritchie, At Lohsa Doreen Hodgkinson, Elizabeth Fry Society
Dick Rastin, Street Connection Deb Peckham, LHAC
Nancy Powers, Centre of Hope Melissa Hardy-Trevenna, LSTAR
Jeremy Jeresky, ArkAid Shelley Yeo, WCH
Neil Watson, City of London Isabel Rocho
Josh Brown, City of London Keri Wheatley, RHAC
Jesse Huntus, RHAC Sue Tobin, LIHC
Andrea Allen, LIHC Katy Harold, Sexual Assault Centre
Bob Sexsmith Jan Regan, City of London (recorder)
The details of the attendance sheet related to committees will be provided to the Steering Committee.
4. Approval of Agenda
Motion: To approve the agenda for January 9, 2012
Moved: The agenda was moved for approval by Melissa Hardy-Trevenna
Seconded: Dick Rastin
Carried.
5. Approval of Minutes
Motion: To approve the minutes of December 5, 2011
Moved: The minutes were moved for approval, noting the correction of spelling to ‘Hungry’ under section 8.3, by Deb Peckham
Seconded: Melissa Hardy-Trevenna
Carried.
6. Standing Items
6.1 Homelessness Partnering Strategy – Jan Richardson
The Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) HPS Sub-Project has been delayed. The project, in partnership with the Salvation Army will commence April 1, 2012. The Review Committee will be informed and an update will be provided at the next meeting regarding the allocation of the variance.
Jan Richardson, City of London, and Jens Stickling, Chair, London Homeless Coalition will attend the HPS Forum scheduled from January 31 – February 2, 2012. Youth Opportunities Unlimited (YOU) Cornerstone Project will be featured. An update will be provided to the general membership.
6.2 Updates – Jan Richardson
i) The Homeless Partnering Secretariat has issued a new call for proposals for:
- Aboriginal Outreach
- Youth Homelessness: http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/eng/homelessness/funding/knowledge_development/index.shtml
ii) Copies of the Emergency Shelter Guidelines, approved February 2011, were distributed. The guidelines were developed in collaboration with the Salvation Army Centre of Hope, Unity Project, Mission Services of London and the City of London.
iii) Stationary Needle Bins
Five new stationary needle bins were installed in December 2011; three along Bathurst and 2 in municipal parking lots at Adelaide and Lyle and Queens and Dundas.
Approximately 130,000 needles were collected through the stationary needle bins in 2011.
iv) The London CAReS Outreach Team is providing “feet on the street” outreach services, meeting individuals where they are at. Interviews are currently being conducted for the Housing Stability Team who should be in place by early February. The London CAReS phone service continues to be provided through the Salvation Army Centre of Hope. London CAReS drop in centres are available through At Lohsa and My Sisters’ Place. The London CAReS office is operational at 186 King Street.
Information will be forwarded outlining the location of other drop-in centres and their hours of operation and where meal programs are offered.
v) Louise Stevens, Director, Municipal Housing will attend the February general meeting and will be able to provide an update on the committee structure.
6.3 Community Plan on Homelessness – Jan Richardson
Year 2 strategy
Direction 3.8: Develop a community plan for street involved sex workers
An advisory group will be formed to establish the criteria to retain a consultant to develop a focused report and community plan for street involved sex workers.
Jan will continue to provide updates to the Steering Committee on the development of directions for Year 1 and going forward into Year 2 and will then update the general membership.
6.4 Report from the LHC Steering Committee – Jens Stickling
i) The December 2011 steering committee meeting was cancelled. The following items will be discussed at the next meeting:
· Various agencies hosting general membership meetings; and
· Bi-annual Soup ‘N Bread - The Steering Committee will continue to discuss ways to enhance the efforts of the bi-annual Soup ‘N Bread to continue to raise awareness of homelessness in London.
ii) Efforts continue for inviting the Mayor to attend a general meeting.
iii)No update regarding the strategic planning process for the London Homeless Coalition.
8. Other Business
8.1 Memorial Update - No update
8.2 Regional HIV/AIDS Connection (RHAC) and London InterCommunity Health Centre (LIHC) – Hepatitis C Care Team – Presentation
Sue Tobin, Nurse Practitioner, Andrea Allen, Social Worker, Jesse Huntus, HCV Outreach Worker and Keri Wheatley, HCV Peer Support Worker provided an overview of the joint partnership project Hepatitis C Care Team between RHAC and LIHC. A copy of the presentation is attached.
A Hepatitis C Peer Social group meets Thursdays from 2:00 – 4:00 pm at the RHAC office located at 186 King Street.
8.3 Health and Homelessness
No report
9. Announcements
Ø An invitation for agency presentations was put forth. Interested agencies can contact Jens Stickling, Chair of the London Homeless Coalition to arrange.
Ø Jeremy Jeresky – “New School of Color” – January 16, 2012 at 1:40pm to film students at Western.
Ø On behalf of the Salvation Army, Nancy Powers thanked members for any contributions they provided to the Christmas Hamper program. Approximately 5,900 families received assistance.
There was discussion on the supply and demand of services through food banks and meal programs. Jan Richardson will contact the Meal Calendar for information and trends and will report back.
Ø Sexual Assault Centre London has relocated to the Goodwill Industries building, 255 Horton Street, 3rd floor - 519-439-0844
Ø Women’s Community House – Second Stage Housing – Open House – January 20, 2012 from 1:00 – 4:00 pm at 1416 Ernest Ave.
Ø Street Connection – Harley Davidson raffle – For tickets contact Dick Rastin
10. Next Meeting: Monday, February 6, 2012 – 10:00 am – 11:30 am, Committee Room 2.
11. Meeting Adjournment: 11:35 am
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