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.
- Download the CTV News app now
- Get local breaking news alerts
- Daily newsletter with the top local stories emailed to your inbox
"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.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
W5 Investigates Threats, slashed tires: How cities are trying to rein in clothing donation bin chaos
In the final part of a four-part investigation into the seedy underbelly of the lucrative clothing donation bin industry, CTV W5's Jon Woodward and Joseph Loiero look at how some cities are trying to rein in the chaos.
NEW Canadian woman dies awaiting repatriation from Syria
A Quebec mother of six, once detained in northeast Syria, has died while waiting for repatriation. The Canadian woman was known only by her initials F.J.
Majority of Canadians would vote for Kamala Harris in U.S. election: poll
If Canadians could vote in the U.S. election, a majority would choose to send Kamala Harris to the White House.
New regulations allow Canada Post to ship restricted firearms returned in gun buyback
The federal government is giving Canada Post the ability to store and transport restricted firearms in new regulations that bring the retail gun buyback program one step closer to beginning.
Stunning fossil trapped in amber reveals previously unknown species that lived during the time of dinosaurs
Diverse firefly species lit up the night during the late Mesozoic period, scientists have confirmed.
Former Sports Illustrated swimsuit model says Trump groped her to show off for Jeffrey Epstein
A former Sports Illustrated swimsuit model is alleging that former President Donald Trump groped her in the 1990s, in what she believes was an attempt to show off for Jeffrey Epstein.
ABCs of horror: Movie recommendations for Halloween
From apparitions to zombies, this season offers up a variety of scary movies, and film critic Richard Crouse has put together a list to help you find the perfect horror movie to watch on Halloween.
'The mom is shattered': Body of employee who died at Halifax Walmart was found by her mother
The Maritime Sikh Society says the body of a young employee who died at a Walmart in Halifax last weekend was found by her mother.
opinion How to manage your finances as a new immigrant to Canada
Personal finance contributor Christopher Liew shares his advice for new immigrants to Canada -- from figuring out where to bank to learning about retirement plans.