Wellness bus soon back on the road in the Sault

A critical piece of the Sault’s homeless outreach strategy is almost ready to hit the road.

After the old community wellness bus reached the end of its lifespan, the five social service agencies that fund its operation banded together to purchase a new van.

The $250,000 van will soon be patrolling the streets of Sault Ste. Marie, providing a space for workers to assist vulnerable populations. (Photo from video)

The $250,000 van will soon be patrolling the streets of Sault Ste. Marie, providing a space for workers to assist vulnerable populations.

For three years, a retired ambulance was used to fulfill health and social needs, but it’s come to the end of its second life. The organizations that staff the bus said they couldn’t lose the service.

"We just needed to make it happen. We saw the number of people that we serve," said Annette Katajamaki, CEO of the Sault Canadian Mental Health Association.

"We saw the impact it had. We realize that our partnership is very strong. We all have something to give. So between the partners, we just weren't willing to let it go. We've seen similar, programs come into place across Ontario at a $1 million-plus price tag."

It’s been roughly two months since the old bus has been off the road, and although they have been using a van as a stopgap, it has its drawbacks.

Borrowed a van

"Social Services let us borrow one of their vans for the interim," Katajamaki said.

"We're continuing to do the work we're doing, but we don't have an inside space for people to come in and out of the weather or to have any kind of wound care done or any kind of private space for counselling or supports if they need it."

When the new bus is in use, it will have many improvements over the current van, and the original bus.

"It's really going to, hopefully, allow staff to work in a bit more of a confidential space, have access to more services – like, there's a sink inside and there's a refrigerator. There's an office set up," said Mike Nadeau, CEO of Sault District Social Services.

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"It's just more conducive to allowing them to be more professional, to provide those amazing services.”

Funding for the new bus and for operating the service is a community effort by the five partner agencies.

Applications are in to the Ministry of Health for ongoing funding. If approved, the Community Wellness Bus would expand operations, going from four days of service per week to every day.