Changes give community hubs broader appeal (10 photos)

Recent changes at four local ‘community hubs’ show increased partnership with city police and also an offering of services to the wider public rather than only to those who live in the geared-to-income housing communities where they are located.

The Services Department of Sault Ste. Marie manages the hubs while working closely with “core partners” that include the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service, Ontario Works, Social Housing, and the YMCA.

At the hubs, facilitators help link community members with a wide range of whatever services or organizations they need, be it medical or mental health professionals, employment services, police, or Ontario Works.

The hubs also offer after-school programs for kids, various community social events like dinners and field trips, as well as food and clothing banks.

Mike Nadeau, the city's commissioner of social services, said that over the summer the insurance liability coverage was extended on the hub properties so that anyone in Sault Ste. Marie can now use these services.

The four community hubs are located in repurposed units at Boston Avenue, Crawford Avenue, Chapple Avenue, and Second Line West housing communities.

“Historically those neighborhood hubs only offered services to people who lived in community housing…(now) anyone who wanted to use our services (can do so). Say (someone) wanted to get a flu shot and they were living across the street… they can now go there to get services,” said Nadeau referring to a flu-shot clinic that went on this November and will possibly be repeated.

The changes mean each hub will operate more like the successful Neighborhood Resource Centre (NRC) on Gore Street although each will operate based on the unique needs of the communities they are in.   

Nadeau said the changes began in 2014 when police approached city council with a partnership plan.

For police this approach is outlined under Ontario’s Mobilization and Engagement Model of Community Policing, a framework with less focus on strictly security enforcement and more on ways of helping communities build healthy neighborhoods through partnerships between community members, police, and social services.

In this plan taking care of peoples basic social needs is considered the most important step towards community safety.

“Mobilization can be very complicated but (essentially its about the) need to create a safe environment. You need to heal and reduce harm before you can engage people and mobilize (them) and start getting (them) to be responsible for their community... You have to fix all those underlying issues first and then you can really help build that neighborhood stronger,” said Staff Sergeant Mike Kenopic, who manages the police presence at the hubs.

“Now what we’re looking at doing is not only just programming within the hubs but also enhancing what we do to focus on neighborhood wellbeing and safety. We’re working with the residents, we’re listening to their ideas and thoughts (more),” said Social Development Coordinator Melissa Ceglie who is in charge of the hubs operations.

Boston Avenue area resident John McCauley commented on the new police presence as he sees it.

“Prior to this summer the police coming into the neighborhood was always seen as a negative. With (the recent changes) it seems that the neighborhood as a whole is not afraid to communicate with them. It makes a huge difference in the eyes of pretty much each individual in here to see it now as a partnership rather than enforcement," said McCauley.

Crawford Avenue area resident Carol McLoughin said she is enthusiastic about the recent insurance changes and hopes the hubs use this opportunity to increase services.

McLoughin would like to see a boys and girls club, AA meetings, and more offered.

“I just want people to know the (hubs) are out there (and) that they are open to the people. There is a lot coming from (them) and a lot more (can come as well),” said McLoughin.

(PHOTO: Recent changes in the community hubs reveas an increased partnership between city police and other organizations. Jeff Klassen for SooToday)