TMU opens doors to the Mattamy Athletic Centre for 8th annual Homeless Connect event
Homeless Connect Toronto, run by volunteers and service providers, pictured here, were onsite at the Mattamy Athletic Centre to provide access to services, clothes and food for those experiencing homelessness.
This past October, 270 volunteers from TMU and elsewhere helped nearly 1,200 individuals impacted by homelessness to gain access to valuable services at a day-long event with Homeless Connect Toronto hosted at TMU’s Mattamy Athletic Centre (MAC).
People had access to 100 on-site services, including haircuts, clothing, footcare, dental care, vision care, housing support, employment resources and general counselling, on top of a warm meal and place to relax. This annual event takes over all four floors of the MAC and guests are paired with volunteers who help guide them through the services and make them feel welcome.
“The university is all about community outreach,” said Dan Berger, general manager of the Mattamy Athletic Centre. “This is our chance to help with offering hands-on support with immediate results because services like hair, dental and clothing are addressed immediately onsite.”
Volunteers from Homeless Connect Toronto and TMU ensured participants had access to a wide range of food.
Since 2013, Homeless Connect Toronto has been coordinating “one-stop-shop” events for individuals at-risk-of and experiencing homelessness in the city. They also help connect people to resources year-round by offering peer support and access to a new online portal (external link) that connects to resources outside of events like the one at the MAC.
“We have a good appreciation for each other,” said Melody Li, executive director of Homeless Connect Toronto, about the relationship with TMU and the MAC. “It is a long-standing tremendous relationship and we are grateful to offer guests a space that is open and welcoming.”
This is the 8th year that TMU has hosted the Homeless Connect Toronto event at the MAC and Li says the organization is always looking for volunteers from within the community for future events.
For more information visit the Homeless Connect Toronto website (external link) .