The Gathering Place Incorporated

The Gathering Place is a non-profit, street level, community service centre that provides a primary health care collaborative to persons who are homeless or precariously housed, through health and social supports in an inclusive, low barrier setting. We are rooted in respect, the promotion of personal dignity and care to all persons. The founding principle of respect for self, others and place translated into the concept of "guest" and this shared identity has remained at the core of all interactions and collaborative engagement. The initial introduction of a volunteer delivery model has enabled TGP to continue to create a safe and accepting place for persons who otherwise would re... read more The Gathering Place is a non-profit, street level, community service centre that provides a primary health care collaborative to persons who are homeless or precariously housed, through health and social supports in an inclusive, low barrier setting. We are rooted in respect, the promotion of personal dignity and care to all persons. The founding principle of respect for self, others and place translated into the concept of "guest" and this shared identity has remained at the core of all interactions and collaborative engagement. The initial introduction of a volunteer delivery model has enabled TGP to continue to create a safe and accepting place for persons who otherwise would remain outside of the positive community relationships that assist to build personal empowerment and belonging. Over the past three years the guest registration has grown from 697 in 2015 to over 2000 in 2018. We average 18 new guests a day, with daily totals as high as 28! No one is turned away. In a given day, there are 13 fulltime and 3 part-time staff with 100-150 volunteers who together partner with collaborators from Eastern Health (multiple departments), Mobile Response, AESL, RNC, NLHC, Canadian Mental Health Association, NL Dental Association. Collectively this translates into five pillars of support for the most marginalized persons in society. Pillar 1: Addressing profound hunger. People cannot function if they are starving. The first essential level of support is to provide hot health meals. Each morning at 8am there is a hot breakfast followed at 11 with a hot lunch. All meals align with chronic illness management for maximum nutritional value. Pillar 2: Harm Reduction. We meet drug addictions and chronic mental illness head on every day. Severe mental illness and addictions contribute to self-harm. Stabilizing situations is critical to providing effective support. Pillar 3: Critical Health Supports Providing on-site primary health care that will soon welcome dental services. Far too often, this demographic go untreated. This is due to either an unwillingness or the inability to seek medical supports. The proven and evidence- based solution within Canada's urban centers is to bring these critical services to the places where people reside and feel safe. Pillar 4: Supported Living We advocate on behalf of the guests and assist them navigate through existing supports within the NL system. We work collaboratively and provide office space within TGP for many of the housing and supportive living resources necessary to address the homelessness crisis witnessed through this demographic. Pillar 5: Helping the whole person. We provide a sense of hope through ability enhancement programs, literacy classes and computer access. Hope is therapeutic and offers a lifeline to a more stable existence. As a result, programs such as the community garden, art, bike repairs and music lessons, guests are empowered and they are able to gain dignity and self-respect. The Primary Dental Clinic The dental clinic is an extension of chronic disease management. It is designed for persons within the community who are challenged receiving or accessing regular health care services. It serves youth (in collaboration with staff from Choices for Youth) and adults within the community who reside in shelters, on the street or have difficulty with self-care and self-management. Dental care will be provided to guests with dental first. The dentists and the hygienists will donate their time. The invitation to Choice for Youth to avail of the service without a payment request, is a clear indication that TGP believes that all persons who are caught in a cycle of extreme poverty, addictions, mental illness and homelessness need to have timely access to dental services. The required infrastructure for the clinic is being funded through a private donor. The Dental Association has provided the oversite and TGP assumes responsibility for the space, and all utilities.