Saint John’s homeless hub has moved to a new centralized location in the city’s uptown.
The Outflow Foundation Centre opened its doors at 100 Waterloo Street back in late May.
Dustin Dutcher, who manages the centre, said their goal is to help the city’s most vulnerable population.
“That help is either with housing, recovery, and just meeting their basic needs,” Dutcher said in a recent interview.
“This also will help aid in finding their purpose in hopes of breaking down the stigma towards that community in particular.”
The hub had been operating out of the former Social Development building on Somerset Street in recent months.
Dutcher said while they were grateful to have that location, it was more challenging to access for some of those needing support.
“This place here at 100 Waterloo just made more sense in the essence of the resources in the community. The clients are able to access them more easily,” he said.
Some of the help being offered includes emergency financial aid, addiction support, mental health recovery, and trauma-informed care.
Dutcher said their centralized location also makes it easier to refer clients to other nearby services.
“It is so important for them to access other resources as well within the community,” he added. “If we don’t or can’t serve that individual. we want to make sure that they are getting served outside of the centre.”
Dozens of people have been visiting the centre each day, which is open from 8 a.m. to 2 a.m.
Dutcher said they have heard a lot of great comments from clients and other organizations.
In the meantime, the centre is looking for donations from the community to support those in need, such as food, supplies, toiletries, and gift cards. Items can be dropped off at 100 Waterloo Street from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Thursday.
“We’re just trying to meet each individual need, and it really takes a community to do that,” said Dutcher.
“We’re hoping, having the centre here, it’s going to be a place to bring everybody together.”
