Northumberland County is pleased to announce the launch of the Community Liaison Committee (CLC) for the 310 Division Street shelter facility. This initiative fulfills a key recommendation from public consultations conducted earlier this year, ensuring continued collaboration and engagement with community members in the effective integration of shelter services within the neighbourhood and broader community.
“Northumberland County and Transition House extend their heartfelt thanks to the incredible community members who applied to be part of the CLC,” says County Director of Housing and Homelessness, Rebecca Carman. “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.”
Committee members met for the first time on the evening of Tuesday, December 17, where they established shared goals, identified focus areas, and reinforced their commitment to action-oriented outcomes. The CLC brings together 21 members representing diverse perspectives, including neighbours in the immediate vicinity of the shelter, residents of the broader Cobourg community, and individuals with lived experience of homelessness and housing insecurity, along with delegates from local businesses, the faith community, and community agencies, members of Northumberland Paramedics and the Cobourg Police, and Town, County, and shelter staff. Members will provide valuable guidance and feedback as the County and Transition House work to deliver the best possible support to vulnerable community members while ensuring strong neighbour relations.
“This committee will be instrumental in building connections between the shelter and the surrounding community, addressing concerns, and fostering a sense of shared purpose,” states Transition House Executive Director Ike Nwibe. “Through ongoing dialogue and collaboration, we aim to ensure the success of this modernized shelter, creating opportunities for clients while strengthening community relationships. We are grateful to the committee members for contributing their time and expertise to this important initiative.”
Community Liaison Committee members include:
Community Members
· Chloe Craig
· Erisa Katona
· Rob James
· Kendra Simmons
· Bob LeDrew
· Catherine White
· Hillary Allen
· Kim Gay
· Sheri Syer
· Beth Bellaire
· Liz Greaves
· Brenda Whitehead
Delegates
· Carolyn Rutherford, Community Health Centres of Northumberland
· Emma Taylor, Northumberland Hills Hospital Community Mental Health Services
· Jennifer Bogart, Cobourg Downtown Business Improvement Area
· Daniel Gaito, Trinity United Church
· Kim Wilkinson, Northumberland Paramedics
· Janice MacDonald, Cobourg Police Service
· Chris Challenger, Town of Cobourg
County and shelter representatives
· Ike Nwibe, Transition House
· Meaghan Macdonald, Transition House
· Bill Smith, Northumberland County
· Rebecca Carman, Northumberland County
The creation of the CLC builds on best practices, and was established in partnership with OrgCode Consulting, experts in homelessness system transformations. Monthly committee meetings will provide a forum for sharing information, resolving challenges, and advancing solutions to support the local integration of shelter services.
The next CLC meeting will be in January 2025 (date to be determined). Agendas will be publicly available at Northumberland.ca/ ShelterModernization, along with minutes once they are approved by the CLC. Community members who would like to reach out to the CLC can email ShelterCLC@northumberland.ca.
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
