GLACE BAY, N.S.
The doors were open at the Ally Centre of Cape Breton’s new supportive space located in the Glace Bay Food Bank, during an open house on Friday.
Christine Porter, executive director of the Ally Centre of Cape Breton, said supportive spaces are important.
“To open the door for a place people can connect with themselves and connect with other people. People need people.”
Dave MacKeigan, chair of the Glace Bay Food Bank, said there is a great partnership between the Ally Centre and the food bank.
“Our clients can use the services and (its) education component.”
MacKeigan said the open house provided the public an opportunity to learn about the services provided by the Ally Centre.
Jennifer Huntington, job developer with the Department of Community Services in Glace Bay, was at the open house with three of her colleagues.
“We’re here gathering more information about the programs offered,” she said.
Amy MacDonald, career counsellor with Community Services, said it’s great seeing the Ally Centre with support services in Glace Bay.
“It’s an excellent resource for the community,” she said. “Someone needs to take over where we leave off.”
MacDonald said she and her colleagues were also at the open house to share details about Community Service programs as they deal with some of the same clientele.
The open house was an opportunity for residents to learn about the services offered but also to clear up a misconception that the supportive space was a safe injection site. The supportive space is described as a place where people can get out of the cold, have a snack, have someone to talk to or get information on resources available in the community.
Porter said it’s hoped the supportive space can act as a contact point to bring health care to people in need or arrange to get them help when needed.
There are two primary care physicians at the Alley Centre in Sydney and a nurse practitioner will begin work there in June.
Eventually Porter said they hope to have a mobile outreach street health-care program in Cape Breton, similar to one which has been operating in Halifax for a few years.
The supportive spaces — another is located at the Community Cares Centre in Sydney Mines — are funded by the Canadian Homeless Initiative.
Porter said funding is only for 14 months.
“Sustainability may be problematic, I don’t know,” she said. “For the most part they are being well utilized and serving a purpose.”
Porter said things like employment support can be offered.
“When you have a situation where you’re really down on yourself and reach out to places like this for support, you start to feel better about yourself, especially if you’re around the right people.”
Sandra MacPherson, a co-ordinator at the food bank, said they are happy to have the Ally Centre in the building. The Ally Centre utilizes the building after food bank hours.
MacPherson hopes the services offered by the Ally Centre will take some of the burden off of the food bank workers who attempt to help clients with medical issues and housing.
“We know we have issues in our community and the more agencies like the Ally Centre and food bank can partner (the more we) can make a bigger difference.”
