Struggling to meet rising demand, Resilience Montreal fundraises for unhoused community
Posted December 16, 2023 12:10 pm.
Last Updated December 18, 2023 9:50 am.
As grocery costs continue to rise and the housing crisis persists, Resilience Montreal called on the public to help raise funds, and collect food and winter essentials for the city’s unhoused community.
The fundraiser took place Sunday at Resilience Montreal.
“It’s starting to get cold. We need more clothing, sleeping bags, boots, specifically for men,” co-founder Na’kuset told CityNews.
“There’s been an overflow of people coming to Resilience. We need more money.”
Staff at the day shelter say they are struggling to meet the needs of the unhoused community. In the past year, the organization reports the number of people using its services has increased from 250 to 350 per day.
“So, it’s been a real devastating year,” Na’kuset said. “And we want to try to give some Christmas cheer, to give some hope to the homeless.”
“What we’re able to get between now and Christmas day will affect what we can pass on,” added executive director David Chapman.
Resilience Montreal – which serves a mainly Indigenous population – says the demand for services has gone up by approximately 33 per cent since Chez Doris nearby temporarily reduced its services for a few months. The shelter has reopened on weekdays as of last week.
“If we can raise some money and get some food, clothing, warm clothes for them this holiday season, and for the winter season that will make all the difference,” said volunteer Bonnie Hannah.
“They’re out there in the freezing cold and they might die because of it,” added Mahihkan, Na’kuset’s son. “And they have no food. It’s just nice to help them be happy.”
“Everyone should have access to clothing in the winter, especially in the city,” added Claire Waldie, who donated winter clothing Sunday.
$500,000 coming – but when?
Last month, the shelter asked the City of Montreal for $500,000 in funding for basic needs such as food, shelter, clothing. Without it, the shelter worries it may be forced to shut down for the holidays.
“Someone from the CIUSSS did reach out and even put it in writing and an email saying that funding would be arriving shortly,” Chapman said. “We’ve tried to get a little more clarification on what shortly means.”
“Worst case scenario is that we have to close, but I don’t want to go there. This is why I’m here,” added Na’kuset.
About 10,000 people are visibly homeless in Quebec, according to a recent provincial government report.
“Part of it is just raising awareness of the fact that over the last few years, homelessness has really increased, and governments need to step up,” said Chapman.
In a statement from Nov. 29, the office of the Montreal mayor said: “The crisis of vulnerability continues to hit Montreal and cities across Quebec. Needs are greater than ever, organizations are stretched to the limit and everyone is mobilized to find additional solutions in anticipation of the winter season that is just around the corner.”
