Orillia Lighthouse operators say 'help is needed more than ever'
The Orillia Lighthouse is marking its 30th year in operation.
During that time, the organization has been working to combat homelessness throughout the city.
However, with rising rents and inflation, its operators say help is needed more than ever.
"Right here in our backyards, it's an epidemic," says The Lighthouse Development Manager Janet Thomas.
"The population is growing. There's only a certain amount of houses being built each year. I think the government and the city of Orillia are trying to do our best," says Orillia Ward 3 Councillor Jeff Czetwerzuk.
Communities are seeing the issue become more extreme as more individuals struggle to make ends meet.
"There was someone seeking medically assisted suicide because he was homeless and couldn't find housing. It shows just one example of just how desperate the situation is getting," says Orillia Ward 3 Councillor Jay Fallis.
The Lighthouse says social services facilities like theirs need more financial support. This is why they hope to set a national record for attendance with 1000 participants at the "coldest night of the year" fundraiser walk on February 26th.
"We're putting ourselves in the shoes of people experiencing this, and hopefully we can develop compassion and really feel for these people so we can get support behind them," says Orillia Ward 2 Councillor Luke Leatherdale.
"It sends a message that we care, and we need to change. And this shouldn't be happening in today's world," says Thomas.
The Lighthouse began as a youth centre 30 years ago and has evolved into a shelter for everyone while providing supportive housing, trying to adapt and change like the need.
"We all could find ourselves in a place where we might be experiencing homelessness. It's not necessarily the stigma of someone who's homeless. It's that it's a person who is experience homelessness," says The Lighthouse Operations Manager Trish Holloway.
The Lighthouse says loneliness is also a big issue for their clients, which is why they keep in touch even after participants find housing.
Their on-site medical clinic served 987 people in 2022, which they hope can ease some pressure on local emergency rooms.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NEW After hearing thousands of last words, this hospital chaplain has advice for the living
Hospital chaplain J.S. Park opens up about death, grief and hearing thousands of last words, and shares his advice for the living.
BREAKING Police cordon off Iran consulate in Paris where man threatens to blow himself up: French media
French police cordoned off the Iranian consulate in Paris on Friday, where a man was threatening to blow himself up, Europe 1 radio and BFM TV.
Some Canadian families will receive up to $620 per child today
More money will land in the pockets of some Canadian families on Friday for the latest Canada Child Benefit installment.
BREAKING Iran fires at apparent Israeli attack drones near Isfahan air base and nuclear site
An apparent Israeli drone attack on Iran saw troops fire air defences at a major air base and a nuclear site early Friday morning near the central city of Isfahan, an assault coming in retaliation for Tehran's unprecedented drone-and-missile assault on the country.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Ottawa to force banks to call carbon rebate a carbon rebate in direct deposits
Canadian banks that refuse to identify the carbon rebate by name when doing direct deposits are forcing the government to change the law to make them do it, says Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault.
Ontario woman loses $15,000 to fake Walmart job scam
A woman who recently moved to Canada from India was searching for a job when she got caught in an online job scam and lost $15,000.
After COVID, WHO defines disease spread 'through air'
The World Health Organization and around 500 experts have agreed for the first time on what it means for a disease to spread through the air, in a bid to avoid the confusion early in the COVID-19 pandemic that some scientists have said cost lives.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.