By Cecilia Nasmith

Cobourg

The Community Liaison Committee – organized to foster positive relationships between Northumberland County's modernized emergency shelter and the community – has begun meeting, its membership drawn from a wide variety of sectors.

As the shelter beds open at 310 Division St. in Cobourg, Northumberland County announces the launch of the Community Liaison Committee for the facility, fulfilling a key recommendation from public consultations earlier this year to ensure collaboration and engagement with members of the community in the effective integration of the facility into the neighbourhood and broader community.

On behalf of the county and Transition House, Northumberland Director of Housing and Homelessness Rebecca Carman extended thanks to all who expressed an interest in being part of the CLC.

“The overwhelming number of skilled, empathetic and committed individuals who expressed interest reflects the community's collective investment in finding meaningful solutions for those experiencing homelessness,” Carman stated.

At its initial meeting Tuesday, they established goals, identified focus areas and reinforced their commitment to action-oriented outcomes.

The 21 committee members represent diverse perspectives. Neighbours in the vicinity of 310 Division, residents of the broader Cobourg community, individuals with lived experience of homelessness and housing insecurity serve alongside delegates from local businesses, the faith community, other community agencies, representatives from emergency-response services, and municipal and shelter staff. Their valuable guidance and feedback will deliver the best possible support to vulnerable community members while fostering strong neighbour relations.

Transition House Executive Director Ike Nwibe – who helped guide members of the community through the facility when it had its open house Monday evening – sees the committee as instrumental in addressing concerns and establishing a sense of shared purpose between the shelter and the surrounding community.

“Through ongoing dialogue and collaboration, we aim to ensure the success of this modernized shelter, creating opportunities for clients while strengthening community relationships,” Nwibe said in the announcement.

“We are grateful to the committee members for contributing their time and expertise to this important initiative.”

The membership draws from several areas.

Community members are Chloe Craig, Erisa Katona, Rob James, Kendra Simmons, Bob LeDrew, Catherine White, Hillary Allen, Kim Gay, Sheri Syer, Beth Bellaire, Liz Greaves and Brenda Whitehead.

A number of members are delegates from significant organizations – Carolyn Rutherford of Community Health Centres of Northumberland, Emma Taylor of Northumberland Hills Hospital Community Mental Health Services, Jennifer Bogart of the Downtown Business Improvement Area, Daniel Gaito of neighbouring Trinity United Church, Kim Wilkinson of Northumberland Paramedics, Janice MacDonald of Cobourg Police Service and Chris Challenger of the Town of Cobourg.

Along with Ike Nwibe and Meaghan Macdonald of Transition House, Carman and Northumberland Homelessness Services Manager Bill Smith also sit on the committee.

The committee was established on best practices in partnership with OrgCode Consulting, experts in homelessness system transformations.

Monthly meetings, beginning in January, will provide a forum for sharing information, resolving challenges and advancing solutions. Agendas for these meetings will be available at Northumberland.ca/ShelterModernization, along with minutes (once they are approved by the committee).

As well, members of the community can reach out to the committee at ShelterCL@northumberland.ca