Agency lends Hand in Hand Support
Transitional housing group holds event at its west end facility
A new non-profit care agency offering transitional housing in Windsor showcased a host of wraparound services at its west end home Thursday morning.
Located at the former Brentwood Recovery building at 3020 Sandwich St., Hand in Hand Support invited several other agencies involved in mental health and addictions treatment, among others, to meet with residents and let them know what services are available to them.
“It's important to understand that we're dealing with human beings. The idea that we're horrible people isn't what the reality is,” said Robert Sandwith, Hand in Hand Support's director of housing and programming.
“The idea is not reinventing the wheel,” he told the Star during the backyard event, which saw several dozen home residents and members of the general community in attendance. “It's to be open in the community and say we can give you that safety, we can give you housing, we have in-house meetings and programs, but we're also going to work with all these other organizations and go specifically to your needs.”
House of Sophrosyne, Cross Roads Centre for Personal Empowerment, Aegis Health, and Re/act Windsor-essex each had a table set up in the yard with representatives giving out information, as well as naloxone kits. A Windsor police officer and a social worker who works with law enforcement were also on site to speak to guests.
About 20 men live in the Sandwich Street home, which has undergone renovations over the last several months, Sandwith said. The facility's true capacity has not been determined.
Those who want an opportunity to help are able to take on leadership roles, while those who have progressed far enough in their recovery can graduate to a smaller, “more advanced” transitional home set up elsewhere in Sandwich Town “and take on some more responsibilities.”
Dylan Macdonald, a resident with Hand in Hand Support, said he's been in recovery for years after struggling with substance addiction. Although he's only been living at the Sandwich Street home for a few weeks, it's “absolutely” made an impact on him.
“They've welcomed me with open arms and I'm genuinely grateful for them,” Macdonald, 42, said. Without the organization's support, “it's quite possible I'd be dead or sitting in a jail or institution. If you don't get recovery, that's where you end up.”
They've welcomed me with open arms ... (I'm) grateful for them.