Shelter House is Thunder Bay’s Canary in the Coal Mine

July 6, 2014

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Only a block from Shelter House, and just over two blocks from City Hall

Helping Those Who Need it Most

THUNDER BAY – To say Shelter House is in crisis might sound a little melodramatic, but the fact is homelessness is a huge issue in Thunder Bay. Shelter House is doing all it can, and more.

“The need is greater than ever before,” states Patti Hajdu, the Executive Director of the facility on George Street in Thunder Bay South. “As our numbers rise, so do our costs. Everything from staffing costs to the cost for hydro to do laundry. And the sad thing is, we’re barely keeping up with the need. With winter approaching, it’s very worrisome. So any amount helps”.

What is the impact on Thunder Bay?

When Shelter House is full, there are many people, those in the most need of help who are finding places across our city to sleep. Last night, with the rainstorm, there were people left outside to find a place to seek shelter.

A full house at Shelter House is perhaps the proverbial canary in Thunder Bay’s coal mine. Our city is actually only as strong as our weakest members of our society. When people are out sleeping under bridges, along the riverbanks, and in back lanes, we are in effect sentencing those people, those fellow human beings to a life of despair.

That despair, hunger and poverty has a cost on our city.

That cost is in increased issues with healthcare, increased work for Thunder Bay Police, and in increased costs for all of us.

Sleeping under a bridge is not a solution nor is it a symbol of a city seeking solutions.

For some people, finding a place to sleep can mean anywhere that is out of the way. Here, beside the Thunder Bay Museum

Solving the homeless crisis does not only make good sense from a humanity side, it makes good economic sense too. It is emotional when you take a walk in our city’s downtown cores and see the impact of poverty and homelessness, it is a striking mark on all of the good things that so many are working on.

At what point does a person who is down seek out solutions in addictive drugs?

It is something we all need to work on solving. It appears to be a focus of the new majority Liberal government in Queen’s Park.

We need to pump Oxygen into the ‘Coal Mine’ of Despair

Thunder Bay City Council and Thunder Bay City Administration have an opportunity here with our two provincial cabinet members Bill Mauro and Michael Gravelle to pump in needed oxygen into Thunder Bay’s ‘coal mine of homelessness’.

It is something that might not resonate right away with all voters, but it is the right thing to do, and that in the long run is why it must be done.

James Murray

Donating to Shelter House Thunder Bay

Shelter House Thunder Bay relies heavily on community support to provide its programs and services to those men, women, youth and families who are among the most vulnerable in our city.

Whether your donation is monetary, food, clothing, or other, we will gladly accept it and make sure it gets to those who need it most.

Donation Info

Donations make a perfect birthday, wedding, anniversary or Christmas gift – make a donation in honour of a family member, friend, teacher or someone special.
In lieu of flowers make a donation in memory of a loved one.
Your donation is tax deductible.

Donation Methods

Via Shelter House’s Database

Visit shelterhouse.kindful.com. Here you can enter in a donation amount, click donate and be brought to a screen where you will be able to create an account, or log on with an existing one. This will give you control over your own profile in our database. You can edit you contact information, update addresses and create recurring donations without ever having to leave your home.

By Telephone

Simply call Shelter House at 623-8182 and we will assist you in making your donation using your Visa or MasterCard. Our Normal business hours are from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm Monday to Friday.

By Mail

You can mail donations to: Shelter House/Thunder Bay, 420 George St., Thunder Bay, Ont., P7E 5Y8.

In Person

You can drop off donations (monetary, food, etc.) to Rotary Shelter House, located at 420 George St., using the main entrance off of George Street. We are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you are dropping off a large food donation, please call us in advance (807-623-8182) so we can ensure someone is available to assist you.

Making Regular Contributions

Becoming a monthly donor is the simplest and easiest way for you to support the operations of Shelter House. By becoming a regular monthly donor to Shelter House, you can help us year-round.

PLEASE MAKE ALL CHEQUES PAYABLE TO: SHELTER HOUSE THUNDER BAY