SFCSC receives $20,000 Grant

Jeff Green | Jul 21, 2011

An infusion of cash for a province-wide initiative to combat homelessness will allow Southern Frontenac Community Services (SFCS) to solidify some programming, provide counseling and make it easier for families facing poverty and housing challenges across Frontenac County to access support programs.

The $20,000 grant is coming from an unusual source, the Greater Simcoe County United Way, which came forward with a Request for Proposal process for homelessness prevention projects throughout the province. SFCS answered the request for Frontenac County, and received the $20,000.

“This funding will greatly improve the ability of SFCSC to deliver our community services, including the applications and processing for programs such as Rent and Utility Banks, Food Security Programs (Good Food Box, Food Bank, and Meals on Wheels), Community Caring Fund and Consolidated Homelessness Prevention Program,” said David Townsend, SFCSC’s Executive Director.

According to Kate Hulton, Family Services Coordinator for the agency, the funds will be used to combat rural homelessness in three key areas:

The Rural Women’s Group, a monthly support group, will be re-instated in August of 2011. This program aims to combat the isolation of rural living and provides support and informative educational sessions on topics such as: mental health, budgeting, healthy eating, parenting, and helping to break the cycle of abusive relationships;

Specific housing pages will be added to the www.sfcsc.ca website, providing timely and accurate housing information for both potential tenants and landlords;

The Hydro LEAP Program (a low-income Energy Assistance Program) will be expanded, making accessing LEAP much easier and effective for SFCSC’s clients.

Ongoing case management from SFCSC’s staff will ensure that recently housed and at-risk households remain housed, preventing further setbacks. Additional services will include the provision of six-months to one-year of follow-up and case management for the agency’s recently housed clients, through advocacy, referrals, assistance with filling out forms, applications, budgeting and other individualized support.

All three project components will be operational by September 1, 2011 and will be ongoing. This funding will provide direct access to more than 200 families each year.

While most of SFCS’ programming is focused on residents of South Frontenac and North Kingston, the homelessness initiative is a county-wide project.

For more information regarding the above services and programs, people can contact Kate Hulton directly at 613-376-6477 ext. 31; Residents living north of Verona in the catchment area of Northern Frontenac Community Services (NFCS) can call 613-279-3150 for a referral.

In other news from SFCS, programming for seniors will begin being delivered at the Grace Centre on August 8, as the agency gradually centralizes its operations in its new home.