LISTOWEL – The Salvation Army and United Way Perth-Huron (UWPH) are proud to announce the opening of HOPE Links, providing support to vulnerable people in the North Perth community.
Located at 295 Main Street West in Listowel, HOPE Links is intended to provide a safe place, empowering individuals to move toward a better life by connecting them with allies and supports. This includes access to basic needs such as meals, a shower and laundry facilities, building social ties and trust with volunteers and staff and connecting clients to additional social services. For HOPE Links hours, visit facebook.com/listowelfamilyservices.
“We are tremendously excited to celebrate the arrival of HOPE Links in the community,” said UWPH Executive Director Ryan Erb. “The issue of homelessness has become more and more pressing in North Perth. HOPE Links offers short-term support along with the possibility of long-term change for people in need. We’re happy to be working together with the Salvation Army on this initiative to help improve the lives of those in need.”
“My hope is that connections established through HOPE Links will give us the opportunity to connect members of our community who need assistance with immediate needs and ongoing connection, allowing for growth and development in multiple areas of their lives,” said Salvation Army Major Wendy Johnstone.
“We are beyond grateful for the opportunity to serve our community in this way,” added Salvation Army Community and Family Services Manager Gwyneth Woods. “The purpose of HOPE Links is to meet some of the most immediate needs for community members, while offering ourselves as allies for participants working towards their own self-determined goals. As a supported partner of UWPH, and with the incredible involvement of our community, we look forward to being a catalyst of hope.”
HOPE Links is part of a growing number of connection centres UWPH and local partners are opening to help support vulnerable people across Perth-Huron. Along with HOPE Links, centres are open in Stratford and Exeter, where the programs met with a positive response from the respective communities.
The Northern Huron Connection Centre in Wingham is slated to open this fall.
