A new day centre provides a haven for intoxicated homeless people in Val-d’Or
A daytime drop-in centre for homeless people dealing with substance-abuse issues in Val d’Or opened its doors just before Christmas with the assistance of several local organizations, including the city’s Native Friendship Centre.
Willie’s Place welcomed several people December 22 to informally celebrate the achievement, including Elder Oscar Kistabish (who gave the blessing), Val-d’Or Mayor Pierre Corbeil, a number of project partners, friendship centre staff and, perhaps most importantly, 25 homeless people now surviving the city’s mean streets, many of whom are Aboriginal.
Native Friendship Centre Executive Director Edith Cloutier said there will be a formal ceremony on January 20, but the most pressing objective was to open the doors to those most in need of the centre’s services throughout the holidays.
“Right now we are concerned with the fact that it is winter and that when people leave La Piaule (emergency shelter) or even if they don’t make it there, they are downtown because they don’t have anywhere to go and end up in the entrances of businesses and banks. It creates a difficulty in cohabitation and since many of them are Native, there is also that stigma and racism,” said Cloutier
Substance abuse impedes access to services or even frontline workers who can help people suffering from addiction, Cloutier noted. Willie’s Place is intended to be a quiet haven for these individuals during the day.
The new drop-in centre is in the former Chateau Louis bar. People can go there to rest and get warm. The facility does not for the moment serve food since meal services for the homeless are available elsewhere.
“The place is named for Willie Hester who passed away a year ago,” said Cloutier. “He had been on the streets for seven years and was known here by everyone. When he passed, it created a huge commotion among the homeless as he was like their leader. This place is a symbol of protection, peace and somewhere to show respect towards others.”
According to Cloutier, Hester’s family was contacted for their blessing in using his name for the establishment. She said they were pleased by this honour and especially by the fact that his tragic end will ultimately mean others in his situation can be helped. Cloutier said Hester’s family attended the ceremony that was held in the park where he used to hang out. His children later contacted her to say they had been collecting warm clothes and other items for the homeless.
Other partners in this project include les Centres de santé et de services sociaux (CSSS), La Piaule, Centre Normand (which provides services for those with substance-abuse issues) and the Kitcisakik First Nation.
“This place is for homeless people, both Native and non-Native, but many of them are Cree and Algonquin. The problems that we are having with the homeless is that at La Piaule, people can go and sleep there when they are intoxicated but at 8 am, just like every other emergency shelter, they close and send the people out. But, unlike other major cities, Val-d’Or has had a void in services for people on the street,” said Cloutier.
According to Cloutier, the project obtained funding from several municipal, regional and federal sources but more is needed.
Cloutier said Willie’s Place is still looking for $7,500 to meet an initial annual budget target of $45,000.