What moves you? The Ride for Refuge, a family-friendly fundraising bike + walk in support of local charities serving people seeking hope, safety, and freedom. Join us Saturday, Oct 5, 2024!
Thrive’s Street Reach program in St. John’s, NL, established in 2004, is a barrier-free outreach service based on harm reduction and community collaboration. It has two main components: Outreach and Individual Support, serving individuals aged 16 and above through evening drop-ins and outreach walks. Annually, Street Reach assists over 1500 participants, providing basic necessities and fostering a sense of belonging and support.
Thrive is seen as a leading social serving organization within the province of Newfoundland and Labrador, and since its inception, this organization has created some of our provinces most innovative services.
Join us for the Ride for Refuge fundraising event to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Thrive’s Street Reach Program!
Street Reach currently offers the following services:
DROP-IN | SUPPORT COORDINATION | STREET OUTREACH
Program Overview:
DROP-IN
Drop-in is provided Monday – Friday. Individuals 16 and older can come to Street Reach to access a variety of resources and support, including:
What we provide:
- Access to phone & internet
- Sterile drug supplies
- Outerwear (coats, footwear, hats, mittens, etc.)
- Meals and snacks
- System navigation & referral
- Crisis intervention
- Transportation support
- Personal care/hygiene supplies
- Condoms
- Naloxone training & kits
- Point-in-time care and support
Outreach Walks:
Outreach walks occur four times per week. Staff, community partners, and volunteers walk the downtown core with backpacks to support individuals on the streets. These walks offer many of the same services as the Drop-In space, except for internet access and coats/footwear.
Street Reach partners with the Harm Reduction team and St. John’s Status of Women’s Council, which provides staff for these walks.
Hot Meal and Programming:
Every Thursday evening, Street Reach provides a hot meal, programming, an outreach walk, and typical drop-in supports. Activities include movies, live music, haircuts, and art.
The evening outreach programming is supported by Street Reach staff, volunteers and community partners.
Support and Connecting People Sleeping Outside:
When individuals, community agencies, businesses, and government entities identify someone sleeping outside, Street Reach is often called to provide support and services.
These calls have significantly increased over the past two years. Street Reach collaborates with the End Homelessness Outreach Team and the Harm Reduction Team to respond to these calls.
STREET OUTREACH
Street Reach has expanded to include a full-time street-based outreach service. Two Outreach workers are on the streets of downtown St. John’s generally from Monday to Friday from 10:00 AM – 12:00 Noon and 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM (with the exception of Friday mornings).
Services Provided:
- Crisis Interventions
- Harm Reduction supplies and overdose prevention
- Referrals to services (community supports, food banks, health services etc.)
- Housing & Homelessness Prevention specific supports
- Assistance to eliminate barriers to access supports (i.e. obtain ID’s, open a bank account)
- Pick up improperly discarded drug use supplies
- Assistance with applications
Resources Available to People:
Resources may vary depending on donations and funding, but generally, outreach workers will make available:
- Snacks & water
- Sterile drug use supplies
- Naloxone Kits
- Access to outerwear
- During extreme weather, staff will make every effort to provide supplies that would minimize risks
Supporting Citizens and Businesses in the Downtown:
If you live and/or work in the downtown core and identify someone who may need support you can call the Outreach Workers to request assistance.
Outreach Workers provide Person-Centered Care – What does this mean?
At Thrive, we believe in the inherent dignity and value of every person and that people have the right to access services that respect their autonomy and ability to make decisions about their own lives.
This means:
- All interactions with outreach workers are voluntary;
- Outreach workers will not pressure individuals to move locations;
- The individual determines what services or supports are most important for them
SUPPORT COORDINATION
Street Reach’s core funding supports two Support Coordinators, while End Homelessness St. John’s funds two additional positions. Each staff member provides comprehensive, wrap-around support to approximately 12 individuals with complex needs and significant barriers.
The positions funded by End Homelessness are exclusively for chronically homeless individuals identified through the Coordinated Access to Homes process.
Case Management Services:
- Support to secure and maintain housing
- Coordination of care
- Accompaniment to appointments
- System navigation
- Provides resources for basic care items
- Referrals to external services
- Support completing applications
- Goal setting
- Transportation support
This route starts at City Hall, brings you up Waterford Bridge Road to Bowering Park, down Southside Road, along the harbour front, Water Street and back to City Hall
This walk starts at City Hall, takes you along the harbour front, water street and back to City Hall
The RIDE Team Participant & Donor Services
Toll Free 1.877.743.3413 / Phone 519.603.2250
Email stjohns@rideforrefuge.org