This is the 34th in a series of columns written by staff from The Lighthouse to help the community better understand people experiencing homelessness and those who support them. This column appears every other Monday.
In the homelessness sector, we recognize shelter, supportive housing, and outreach workers as first responders.
Before the arrival of traditional first responders such as the OPP, paramedics, and fire services, these dedicated professionals are already at the scene, providing crucial support.
Consider the following scenarios:
A person experiencing homelessness appears unwell, looking pale and showing symptoms of distress. With the medical clinic closed after hours, staff monitor the situation closely. As symptoms worsen, they call 911. The individual is suffering a heart attack, and the staff administer CPR until emergency responders arrive.
In another case, a man living with addiction seeks help at the emergency shelter. Despite his efforts to avoid using, his addiction has led him to use substances again. Trusting the shelter staff because of past interactions, he comes to them when he knows he’s in trouble. The staff respond immediately, administering numerous doses of naloxone (medication that reverses the effects of opioid poisoning, often referred to as Narcan) as the situation demands. While one staff member is on the phone with 911, the other ensures the man’s safety. When paramedics arrive, the man has regained consciousness and is taken to the hospital for further care.
Finally, a woman who has been living near a swamp arrives at the shelter. Due to her mental illness, she finds it challenging to stay in a traditional shelter environment, but she knows and trusts our staff. She arrives with severe injuries, including significant cuts to her fingertips. When paramedics and the OPP arrive, the woman refuses to allow them to assess her. Two of The Lighthouse’s staff members step in, providing first aid while the emergency responders observe from a distance. Although the woman continues to refuse hospital care, she is bandaged and treated as best as possible. Once her immediate needs are addressed, she leaves the shelter.
These are just a few examples among many where shelter, supportive housing, and outreach workers play a critical role in saving lives.
Despite the profound impact these workers have in our community, they are often underpaid and overlooked for their essential work. At The Lighthouse, we strive to support our staff with a comprehensive benefits program, including an Employee Assistance Program for additional counselling and support. Ongoing training in nonviolent crisis management, de-escalation, CPR, mental health first aid and more is provided to ensure our staff are prepared for the challenging situations they face.
The resources available to social services staff are minimal compared to those of traditional first responders. As a community, we must re-evaluate our priorities to ensure social services organizations receive the dignity and respect they deserve. This includes providing adequate resources, a living wage, and ongoing training to effectively support their crucial roles.
Many of The Lighthouse’s team members hold college or university degrees in social services, addictions/mental health, or social work, and/or bring invaluable lived experience to their roles. We also have strong partnerships with the OPP, paramedics, and fire services, with mutual respect for each other’s roles. We are grateful for the consistent encouragement from emergency responders about our team’s dedication and effectiveness.
After a recent incident, an OPP officer said to our executive director, “Your team did everything right.” We are honoured to work in such a collaborative community, working the front line.
It is time to broaden our perspective on what it means to be ‘essential.’ During the COVID-19 pandemic, staff in the homelessness sector were recognized as essential workers, but traditionally, we often think of emergency responders and hospital staff as the only essential roles.
Today, we challenge you to consider that it is not one group or the other, but rather each type of healthcare and social services provider that plays a crucial role in our community’s wellness.
Linda Goodall is the executive director at The Lighthouse and can be reached at [email protected].
Rosemary Petersen is the managing director at The Lighthouse and can be reached at [email protected].
