TORONTO The loss of services to homeless persons will be the subject of a Cabbagetown-area community meeting on Saturday, April 26.
“Hundreds of people sleep in the streets, shelters and rooming houses of this neighbourhood,” said Kelly O’Sullivan, president of Canadian Union of Public Employees Local 4308. “There’s been no affordable housing built and now we risk losing some of the services that do exist.”
Cuts are planned effective May 26 to the drop-in program operated at 60 Richmond Street by Central Neighbourhood House because of insufficient funding from the city, O’Sullivan said. The drop-in serves almost 200 homeless women and men every day. However, the hours of operation are going to be cut and the hot breakfast program dropped without an increase in funding.
“This neighbourhood is under attack,” O’Sullivan said. “We have to bring community and service providers together to make sure this neighbourhood is for all people, not just for those with money and privilege.” Even with an immediate funding increase, there is a need to look at the long term and other issues, such as the city’s new shelter by-law, that are having an impact on services for homeless persons, she said.
CUPE Local 4308, which represents workers at Central Neighbourhood House and the 60 Richmond Drop-In, is sponsoring the community meeting along with the Toronto Disaster Relief Committee and the Ontario Coalition Against Poverty. A free meal will be served from noon to 1:00 p.m.
- What:
“Keep the Doors Open” Community Meeting - When:
12 noon to 3:00 p.m., Saturday, April 26
(Free meal served from 12 noon to 1:00 p.m.) - Where:
Central Neighbourhood House,
349 Ontario Street
For more information, contact:
Kelly O’Sullivan, President, CUPE Local 4308
416-929-2116 (home) - 416-966-8595 (work)
Pat Daley, CUPE Communications
416-292-3999 ext 222
416-616-6142 (cell)