Mission cuts services, reduces number of staff
Social agency forced to scale back hours, programming because of money issues
Clients of the Downtown Mission will soon have to find a new place to hangout between meals as the organization tightens its belt through program elimination and a reduction of staff and hours. An underwhelming giving season coupled with an ever-increasing demand for services is forcing the mission to cut back on its 24-hour-a-day operation, as well as its dental services and some mental-health support.
As of Feb. 17, the mission will shift to a “housing-first model,” which will restrict visits to the Victoria Avenue location to by appointment only, with the exception of drop-in times around each of the three free meals offered there, according to executive director Ron Dunn. Staffing at the community dental services program will be reduced from five workers to two-and-a-half.
“The reality is we have to cut back on programming in order to live within our ability to raise money,” Dunn told the Star on Wednesday. “We’re doing the work that we’re called to do and we’re pleased and blessed to do it. We’re doing it supported by our community, but unfortunately the need is bigger than that now. We need all levels of government to step up.”
The mission exceeded its budget by $750,000 in 2019 and fundraised $3.5 million, “a shortfall in donations and an increase in expenses,” he said.
Keeping clients out of the Victoria Avenue building for several hours each day will allow the mission to reduce some staffing costs, he said. But the mission is encouraging individuals to make an appointment with its staff to “deal with housing issues” and “try to get people out of the shelter, try to move the needle on ending homelessness in our community.”
The mission will save about $81,000 by halting the text and chat service at its Distress Centre, Dunn said. Individuals in crisis can still send an SMS text to 258258 or an online message through Ontario Online and Text Crisis Services to receive mental-health support, but the person responding won’t be mission-based. The Distress Centre will retain its helpline at 519-256-5000 between noon and midnight seven days per week.
The half-staffed dental centre will be able to treat fewer patients, and the wait list for dental services will grow, Dunn said. The program, which has about 1,500 active patients — only three of them homeless — receives daily calls from people in municipalities across Ontario who are willing to travel hours for free dental care.
Operational changes in the mission’s kitchen will also see some changes. The daily “big meal” will take place at suppertime instead of lunch. Once a seven-course midday feast, lunch will now consist of soup and sandwiches, while supper will be more significant and varying. The shift will also allow for reduced staff hours, Dunn said.
The mission’s Fresh Food Recovery Program will continue this year thanks to three business leaders who stepped forward to fund the $126,000 operation. Annually, the food program brings in and cleans 1.5 million pounds of produce from the county otherwise destined for disposal, and redistributes it to other food banks, charities and schools in the region. The mission picks up another 500,000 pounds of food from restaurants and grocery stores in the city.
“We are no longer Downtown Mission the homeless shelter. We are Downtown Mission providing services for people experiencing homelessness and poverty,” Dunn said.
The mortgage closing date on the mission’s new home, the former Windsor Public Library Central Branch building on Ouellette Avenue, is Feb. 28. Renovations to that building would see nearly 30 affordable housing units built on the second floor.
Dunn said some oppose the organization’s move to a main street location. He invited people to “check out” the mission and ask questions.
He emphasized that donations to the Downtown Mission’s Building Hope Campaign to fund the library building’s purchase and renovation contribute to a capital budget, while donations for current programs and services go into the operational pot. The library campaign has not been doing as well as he had hoped, he said.
“I really want people to understand we are intending to be good neighbours, but people who are experiencing difficulties need a place to go.”
Dunn said he thanks the community for its continued support, and renewed the call for donations of time and money. Eighty per cent of funds raised by the mission come in at less than $100 apiece, he said.