- Submitted by Mary Barter
How does a hot bowl of soup, sandwich, and some companionship sound? If you struggle to prepare a meal, are alone, or are living on a limited budget, you are welcome to come down to the Lion's Club on the second Thursday of each month from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Community cafés are a new initiative of the Housing Stability Initiative, a coalition of community partners who have come together to address housing and related needs.
"The high cost of food, heating oil, electricity and the general increased cost in everything you buy has left people struggling to get by and is especially hard on those who are living on a low or moderate income," says Bernice Hancock, member of HSI and Family Resource program director for southwestern Newfoundland.
The Community cafés that started in October 2011 have received an enormous amount of community support. Local organizations, faith groups, and business have embraced the concept and have supported by providing food, supplies, financial donations, and allotted time for staff to come and assist with the actual events. The Stephenville Lions Club has provided space on a monthly basis as well as advice and expertise.
Community Education Network and Associates, member of the initiative and the agency responsible for providing staff and organizational in-kind support to the HSI activities, is exploring many options for providing supportive services to individuals who find themselves challenged, particularly in the current economic crisis.
Sharon Park, executive director of Community Education Network says, "That by creating a shared understanding, we will be able to develop programs and services which will lead to effective, long-term and holistic approaches to address the underlying causes of homelessness."
In partnership with the HSI, the Bay St. George Literacy Council is sponsoring the café on Feb. 9. Also, Zion Pentecostal is hosting a second February café on Feb. 22 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at their centre, and are exploring their ability to host cafés of a monthly basis.
Another initiative the HSI is involved in is the CBC Pancake Breakfast for Homelessness, an awareness campaign designed to highlight housing and homelessness issues.
This is the second year the HSI will be involved with the Pancake Breakfast in Stephenville, which is happening on Feb. 21 at the Lion's Club.
Again this year, financial proceeds from the event will be shared between the Bay St. George Status of Women and Stephenville Emergency Food Services, and it is hoped that individuals attending the breakfast bring a non-perishable food item for the food bank.
