Since the transition of shelter services to 310 Division Street, Cobourg just over one month ago – and the opening of the ground floor Warming Room two months ago – the facility has already begun to make a meaningful difference in the lives of individuals experiencing homelessness.
Over 160 unique clients have accessed Warming Room and shelter services since doors opened.
Approximately 25% of clients have indicated they were living rough prior to accessing shelter services.
And 4 couples and 3 people with pets have been among those accessing shelter spaces – groups that were previously unable to be accommodated.
“We are encouraged by the positive impact we’ve already seen at 310 Division Street,” states Northumberland County Warden Brian Ostrander.
“This is a critical step in the journey towards long-term solutions for homelessness in our community.
The progress made in such a short period speaks to the power of collaboration and the community’s commitment to creating lasting change. As we continue to work together, we are focused on building on this momentum to ensure that those facing homelessness have the support and opportunities they need to rebuild their lives and integrate back into the community.”
Other highlights have also marked the early days of this service.
· Transition House has established partnerships with Hope and Light Outreach Services, who is serving lunch onsite twice a week, and with the Salvation Army, serving dinner one night a week. Including those coordinated by staff, over 456 meals have been served to clients during this period. These meals offer not just nourishment, but a sense of care and community to clients during a difficult time.
· 6 other community organizations have begun offering onsite services, improving access to these critical services for clients and increasing opportunities for life-stabilization. This includes:
· Northumberland County Community & Social Services
· Northumberland Paramedics Community Paramedicine Program
· Northumberland Hills Hospital Community Mental Health Services
· The Help Centre
· The Legal Centre
· Four Counties Addiction Services Team (Fourcast)
· And, through collaborative efforts with system partners, 7 individuals have transitioned to permanent housing, marking a significant milestone in their journey toward stability and independence.
All of these developments underscore a central tenant of Transition House’s mandate – to help individuals rebuild their lives and re-enter the community in a positive and sustainable way.
“We are gratified to see the impact this new facility is already having on our clients’ lives,” says Ike Nwibe, Executive Director of Transition House Coalition. “This is more than just a place to stay – it’s a space where individuals can find safety, access support services, and begin to build a better future. We are grateful to community members and partner agencies for joining us in this work to provide critical services and supports to people living unhoused in Northumberland. This support will continue to be vital to helping us meet the diverse needs of the people being served, and to ensure successful integration of the shelter within the community.”
Community engagement
Northumberland County has been working closely with Transition House and community members to ensure ongoing collaboration. This includes the launch, in December, of the 310 Division Community Liaison Committee (CLC) – fulfilling a key recommendation from public consultations held in early 2024. Two productive meetings have taken place, to date, with a focus on developing a communications protocol and creating recommendations to improve community safety and well-being.
· To view CLC meeting agendas and minutes, visit Northumberland.ca/ShelterModernization.
· To contact the CLC, email ShelterCLC@northumberland.ca.
How to help
· One significant way community members can support successful shelter services is to share accurate information with their networks. Northumberland County and Transition House Coalition regularly share information and updates with the community through channels such as social media (Facebook) and websites (Northumberland.ca/ShelterModernization and THShelter.ca). Please consider re-sharing this information – expanding its reach and helping to get this information into the hands of more community members.
· Transition House plans to engage volunteers in different aspects of shelter services, in the future.
Interested persons can express their interest by emailing info@thshelter.ca. Transition House will reach out as they become ready to start engaging volunteers.
· Donations are always appreciated and helpful:
· Financial: to Transition House (www.canadahelps.org/en/ dn/79494) or to other agencies in Northumberland delivering services to vulnerable members of the community.
· Food/clothing/materials: Transition House faces different needs at different times. Currently, Transition House is collecting donations of new or gently used adult winter clothing, including jackets, boots, and socks, as well as specific food items such as coffee and sugar. Donations can be dropped off at the shelter during regular business hours. Members of the community interested in making this type of donation in the future are encouraged to contact the shelter about specific areas of need.
Contact Information
· More information about the 310 Division Street shelter is available at Northumberland.ca/ShelterModernization.
· For non-emergency security inquiries, along with waste inquiries, related to Northumberland County’s Emergency Care Establishment License (ECE03CN-2024) under the Town of Cobourg by-law, please call 1-877-770-2564.
· For questions about shelter operations, please contact the Transition House team at 905-376-9562.
· For information about Town of Cobourg bylaws, please visit Cobourg.ca/en/our-government/Bylaws.aspx or call Municipal Clerk/ Legislative Services Department 905-372-4301.
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
