Shelter to end addictions support services in spring
The Bridges will partner with other groups on supports so it can focus more on housing needs
Cambridge’s homeless shelter, the Bridges, will stop offering addiction counselling services next spring.
The shelter’s board of directors concluded that the corporation wants to instead partner with other local addiction support services, allowing the shelter to focus on housing demands, it said in a news release Friday.
The board explained the organization will end its addictions services portfolio following an analysis of the overall demands and alternative services available in the community.
“After careful review of the addictions services available within the region and local community, we have determined that there is an opportunity for Cambridge Shelter Corporation to partner with local funded addiction service agencies rather than continue on as an addictions supports provider,” board chair Julie Watts said in the news release.
“This change will allow those we support continued access to addiction support services through partner agencies and Cambridge shelter the opportunity to focus more resources toward the emergency shelter, supportive housing units, and community centre located at the Bridges.”
Currently, the shelter’s addictions support and counselling programs are offered at its Simcoe House annex, located across the street.
Watts said there were few addictions support options available when the Bridges launched its own support services.
More options are becoming available in the region now, she noted.
“We recognize that when we began offering addiction services in Cambridge, there were very limited options available for community members.
“That is no longer the case today and we are an organization that flexes around developments in the sector,” she said.
“The addiction services offered by partner agencies will allow Cambridge Shelter Corporation to focus on the Bridges and our vision for a positive future.”