Yesterday we dropped in to the new facility called The Bridge in Belleville in advance of its first day of serving the public. According to Quinte News:
The Bridge Integrated Services Hub, otherwise known as a HART Hub (Homelessness, Addiction andRecovery Treatment), will open Thursday at its permanent location on Alhambra Square in Belleville.
The hub had been operating at a temporary location in an older building on South Church Street, and previous to that had been run from Bridge Street United Church.
The Hub will offer dining, washrooms, showers, laundry facilities, a resting area, a spiritual/smudging room, and several spaces for various medical and social services staff. It will operate 22 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Partners at The Bridge are the Canadian Mental Health Association Association Hastings Prince Edward (lead group), the Enrichment Centre for Mental health, the United Way HPE, The John Howard Society, Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte, Hastings-Quinte Paramedic Services, and the Belleville-Quinte West Community Health Centre.
Others involved providing services include Loyalist College, Hastings County (Ontario Works and other programs), and Next Step Housing.
Washroom/shower area at The Bridge. (Photo: Quinte News)
Ruth was eager to have a tour of the building in advance of her volunteer shift with the meal program next week. This past Monday some of the regulars at the temporary building asked if they would still see her in the new location and she assured them they would. She began volunteering during COVID and has faithfully been there most Mondays throughout the year, including her birthday earlier this week.
I'm glad that the article mentioned Bridge St. Church because the congregation has been involved in providing meals, first of all, then other services for a couple of decades. It could be argued that their Christian commitment led to this broader community program. When I was the minister at Bridge St. I regularly reminded those involved that we were offering a meal ministry rather than a program because this was part of our Christian witness. Although we didn't proselytize we were feeding body and soul. With the Inn from the Cold sit-down meal we often sat down with folk and heard their stories and I was often asked faith questions.
I wish The Bridge well and we were certainly impressed by what will be offered to address a wide range of needs for the vulnerable in Belleville. We will pray that lives will be changed and hope will be restored for those who often feel invisible in our society.
Lisa Ali of CMHA HPE speaks to media in the laundry room of The Bridge Wednesday. (Photo: Quinte News)
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