E.A.G.L.E. Urban Transition Centre(Encouragement, Advocacy, Goal Setting, Language, Empowerment)

Addressing Homelessness during the COVID 19 Pandemic

EAGLE Urban Transition Centre

u Under the umbrella of Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs (AMC)

u The Eagle Urban Transition Centre continues to be a valuable resource to Manitoba’s sixty-four First Nations and Metis communities.

u It is recognized as a primary source of service and referrals to individuals re-locating to Winnipeg for reasons such as; housing, education, employment, addictions, legal, family, health

u The primary goal of the E.A.G.L.E. Urban Transition Centre (EUTC) is to assist First Nation people with transitioning into an urban centre and to assist with accessing the appropriate resources to become independent.

u The EUTC achieves this goal by providing a welcoming and culturally appropriate environment for our First Nation people;

New Beginnings (Non-Housing First)

u New Beginnings is the EUTC’s response to the complexities of homelessness to often encountered by First Nations individuals and families adapting to life in an urban setting of Winnipeg.

u New Beginnings serves indigenous individuals 18 to 65 years of age who are in imminent danger of entering into homelessness.

u The New Beginnings team serves:

u Individuals who are experiencing chronic and/or episodic homelessness.

u With priority of creating a welcoming and reliable environment for clients and partners alike

u All New Beginings community members must first complete an intake with Doorways. Doorways is the centralized intake and assessment office for all Housing First Projects.

u New Beginnings team roots themselves in compassion, understanding and respect with their goal of destigmatizing homelessness.

u Each person, family or case is approached in a holistic and collaborative manner in order to lessen the many contributing factors as possible.

u The New Beginnings team cooperates with clients on their journeys with a combination of traditional and contemporary healing which includes.

u Identification

u Adult & Youth Housing Counselor

u Mental Health Counselor

u Addictions Counselor

u Provide work equipment – Boots, safety glasses, safety vest, gloves etc.

u Resume workshops, interview skills

u Employment workshops

u WHIMIS

u First Aid/CPR

u Food Handlers

u Flag Staff

u The New Beginnings team cooperates with clients on their journeys with a combination of traditional and contemporary healing.

u Cultural Retreats

u Naming Ceremonies

u Sweats

u Medicine Picking

u Pipe Ceremonies

u New Beginnings Team

u Brian Campbell - Team Lead

u Leah Spence – Youth Housing Transition Councellor

u Marcy Raven – Adult Housing Councellor

u Barry McPherson - Manufacturing Transition Counsellor/Employment Supports

u Monique Curci - Mental Health/Addictions Counsellor/Counselling and Advocacy

EUTC Addressing Homelessness during COVID-19 Pandemic 2020-21

u The New Beginnings team worked with 475 community members via by email, phone calls and meeting safely in the community while practicing the Manitoba COVID Health Restrictions

u 335 Individuals has safely secured housing in both private and subsidized housing, complete with damage deposits

Fresh Start (Housing First)

u Fresh Start Program is build on the rights-based principles of Federal Housing First program.

u Fresh Start assists individuals 30 to 65 years of age experiencing and/or:

u Chronic Homelessness – individuals have a total of at lease 6 mths (180) days of homelessness over the past year; they have recurrent experiences of homelessness over the past 3 years, with a cumulative duration of at least 19 mths (546 days)

u Episodic Homelessness – individuals who are currently homeless and have experienced at least three periods of homelessness in the previous year

u The Fresh Start team works with clients (community members) and offers choices to where they would like to live within their financial means and services they would like and wish to access

u All Fresh Start community members must first complete an intake with Doorways. Doorways is the centralized intake and assessment office for all Housing First Projects.

u Fresh Start Resources:

u Damage deposits

u Rent top ups

u Start Up furniture

u Essentials – Cleaning supplies, bedding towels etc.

u Access to an Elder

u Rent SMART workshop

u Repairs to residence provided by program (Helps to acquire a residence)

u Max on repairs needs to be implemented.

u The Fresh Start team's ultimate goal:

u Clients to reach a successful exit from the program

u For each of their clients to be self-sufficient and contribute to their income towards rent even if their source of income is EIA

u Fresh Start provides a $200 monthly subsidy on top of clients’ personal contributions

u Follow-up Support Workers work respectfully, collaboratively and assist with navigating with several community and government supports ie: EIA, Justice System, Child Welfare System, Manitoba Housing, Winnipeg Housing and SAM Management

u Fresh Start Team:

u Brian Campbell – Fresh Start Team Lead

u Corinne Edwards – Follow-up Support Worker

u Bobby Muswagon – Follow-up Support Worker

u Trevor Stevens – Follow-up Support Worker

u The Fresh Start Team has a case load of 10 community members. (40 community members)

u Each case worker keeps detailed notes to monitor the housing and length of stay

u Each member of the Fresh Start team connects with their community members via by email, phone calls, and meeting safely in the community while practicing the Manitoba COVID Health Restrictions

u HIFIS system helps track where Program participants are accessing services and keep all care givers informed

EUTC Addressing Homelessness during COVID-19 Pandemic 2020-21EUTC Addressing Homelessness during COVID-19 Pandemic 2020-21

u Four annual intakes for three months.

u Support youth who are going to age out of care.

u Explores employment and education opportunities.

u Culture is a major component of the program

u Food is medicine

u Harvesting food

u Pipe ceremonies

u Naming Ceremony

Wichiioskiaga – Youth Aging Out of care program

u Coordiated Access

u Tax Preparation – Option C letter needed for housing

u Clothing Drives – Summer and winter

u Community dinners – Summer and winter

Additional Resources

u Purchase and renovation of Marlborough Hotel to create 250 housing units.

u MB Housing project to evaluate co-habitation of homeless population.

u Partner in a Youth Hub to address Mental Health.

u Status Cards.

Projects pursued

E.A.G.L.E. Urban Transition Centre(Encouragement, Advocacy, Goal Setting, Language, Empowerment)

Eagle Urban Transition Centre presentation of resources for the homeless population prepared by Jarred Baker.