Sault’s compassion hub preparing to close
A group in Sault Ste. Marie that works with homeless people and those struggling with addiction and food insecurity will be closing its doors at the end of the month.
The Compassion Hub opened on Gore Street in January. There were plans in the summer to relocate to a larger space, but those have since been abandoned. At this time, the group says there’s nowhere for them to go.
“We were supposed to move across the street for Aug. 1,” said Donna De Simon, one of the founders of Addictions and Mental Health Advocates, the group that operates the Compassion Hub.
“But when squatters went into the building, they did some major damage there. So we were unable to rent the premises.”
The building in question is now boarded up with no word on what will happen to it. De Simon’s daughter, Angie, who runs the Hub with her mother, said there is also uncertainty about what will happen to the Compassion Hub’s clients.
“I’m concerned about people that come in that don’t have the food security that eat with us every day,” she said.
“We give them clothes and everything else they need -- and it’s getting cold out.”
The Hub is run completely by volunteers and is dependent on donations. While their situation looks bleak, Donna De Simon said this is not the end.
“This becomes a part of you,” she said.
“It becomes a part of your heart and it’s going to be really difficult for us. But we refuse to lie down. We will be back. Somehow, some way, we’ll be back.”
In the meantime, De Simon said the group would offer support to their clients however they can until a new space is found.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Why these immigrants to Canada say they're thinking about leaving, or have already moved on
For some immigrants, their dreams of permanently settling in Canada have taken an unexpected twist.
DEVELOPING Live updates from the Trump hush money trial: Stormy Daniels, bookkeeper testify
Adult film star Stormy Daniels is on the stand a second time Thursday as former U.S. president Donald Trump’s hush money case continues in Manhattan. Follow live updates here.
Ontario family receives massive hospital bill as part of LTC law, refuses to pay
A southwestern Ontario woman has received an $8,400 bill from a hospital in Windsor, Ont., after she refused to put her mother in a nursing home she hated -- and she says she has no intention of paying it.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
Miss Teen USA steps down just days after Miss USA's resignation
Miss Teen USA resigned Wednesday, sending further shock waves through the pageant community just days after Miss USA said she would relinquish her crown.
B.C. wildfires likely to spread with weekend temperatures expected to soar, province says
Wildfire and emergency management officials in British Columbia are urging residents to be prepared for increased fire activity as temperatures are expected to soar above 30 C in parts of the province this weekend.
Listowel, Ont. football player drafted, despite only three years of experience
A Listowel, Ont. man, drafted by the Hamilton Tigercats last week, is also getting looks from the NFL, despite only playing 27 games of football in his life.
Ontario man frustrated after $3,500 paving job leaves driveway in shambles
An Ontario man considering having his driveway paved received a quote from a company for $7,000, but then, another paver in the neighbourhood knocked on his door and offered half that rate.
BREAKING Sheldon Keefe out as head coach of Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs have fired head coach Sheldon Keefe. The team made the announcement Thursday after the Original Six franchise lost to the Boston Bruins in seven games in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.