Sudbury group that helps vulnerable population gets a new place to call home
A volunteer-based organization has secured a place to call home while helping vulnerable Sudburians.
The Go-Give Project is a nightly mobile outreach service that has been operating now for two years. It offers a wide variety of services ranging from first aid and overdose response to helping the homeless community.
The group operates mainly downtown, seven days a week, from 9 p.m. until 2 a.m.
“There’s just been such an influx of individuals who are suffering from homelessness. We are going through an opioid pandemic throughout Ontario, Sudbury being disproportionally affected by it,” said Ali Farooq, harm reduction/outreach manager with the Go-Give Project.
“So, we felt that there has to be someone looking out for these individuals at night time and that’s what we do … we do drive around and take the services to the individuals.”
The executive director of the group, Evie Ali, said the services they offer are vital in Greater Sudbury.
“We came to learn very quickly that there is a very large population of clients that don’t necessarily have the abilities to navigate themselves, so we really try to help get those individuals in particular resources within our community,” Ali said.
The City of Greater Sudbury told CTV News that there are currently roughly 180 people who are homeless in Sudbury, many of them unsheltered or in encampments.
Last year, the Go-Give Project encountered 32 overdoses within the city.
“Unfortunately, two of those were not reversible but we did attend to over 30 individuals where there was nobody else at the time to attend to them,” said Farooq.
“So, we see it as a very crucial and very important service.”
As of next month, the group will officially have its own space which will be located at 154 B Durham Street in the downtown core.
“We’re all just so excited to be here doing this,” said Ali.
“We didn’t expect it, we weren’t necessarily planning it but we’re here and we are ready to jump in even further to build that capacity and just reach more people.”
Ali said having the new space will not only provide relief to volunteers but also makes it easier for the group to connect with clients.
“This definitely allows us to centralize all of our operations and it’s going to alleviate the load off of many of our volunteers,” she said.
“It’s also going to allow a central location for our supporters to stop by and see what’s going on and they’ll be able to drop off their donations there, as well.”
The people running the Go-Give Project say they are welcoming donations, especially of coats, mitts and blankets, in order to prepare individuals for the winter months.
To make a donation, you can visit their website.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6895003.1716318536!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
BREAKING Canada's Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly visits China
Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly is visiting China, according to China’s foreign ministry, in what was an unannounced trip.
Former safety minister wants 'protective zones' for MPs' offices as threats increase
Former public safety minister Marco Mendicino is calling for the creation of 'protective zones' around political constituency offices to shield members of Parliament and their staff from a rising tide of threatening behaviour.
Vance's night but Trump's party, Jan. 6 curtain call, Trump health still under wraps: RNC Takeaways
Republicans welcomed JD Vance as Donald Trump's running mate on the same night devoted to blasting U.S. President Joe Biden's leadership on the world stage. Here are some takeaways from Day 3 of the RNC.
Two deaths in listeriosis outbreak linked to plant-based milk recall
Two people have died after an outbreak of listeriosis triggered a national recall of certain plant-based milks, the Public Health Agency of Canada said Wednesday.
Mississauga, Ont., nursing home evacuated of more than 100 residents amid flooding
First responders say it took nearly 12 hours to rescue more than 100 residents from a flooded Mississauga, Ont., long-term care home after torrential rain pummelled the Greater Toronto Area on Tuesday.
John Deere ends support of 'social or cultural awareness' events, distances from inclusion efforts
Farm equipment maker John Deere says it will no longer sponsor 'social or cultural awareness' events, becoming the latest major U.S. company to distance itself from diversity and inclusion measures after being targeted by conservative backlash.
Rare photos reveal uncontacted tribe in Peruvian Amazon as loggers move in
Rare images of the Mashco Piro, an uncontacted Indigenous tribe in the remote Peruvian Amazon, were published on Tuesday by Survival International,
NEW 'No more barriers in CAF' as Lt.-Gen. Jennie Carignan to be officially named head of military
Lt.-Gen. Jennie Carignan will become the first female to lead the Canadian Armed Forces following a ceremony in Ottawa today.
Teens could face charges after homes damaged in 'ding dong ditch' pranks, B.C. RCMP say
Authorities are asking parents to speak with their teenagers following a "frenzy" of recent door-knock pranks in Surrey, B.C., that have escalated into property damage.