Nearly two months after announcing it would have to close due to a lack of funding, a homeless drop-in centre in Wallaceburg is getting a new lease on life.
Reach Out Chatham-Kent, or R.O.C.K., announced in early February that its drop-in centre at 1531 Dufferin Ave. would be permanently shutting its doors on March 31. R.O.C.K. officials cited a withdrawal of funding from the United Way of Chatham-Kent and the end of a partnership with the 7 Generations Indigenous Cultural Friendship Centre as the reason for the closure.
However, officials with R.O.C.K. said the centre has now secured a new location at 233 Nelson St. The centre has also secured funding through the Municipality of Chatham-Kent and a donation from a generous local family, which will allow them to continue operations.
The new drop-in center location is expected to open its doors in mid-April and will be welcoming both existing and new visitors. An official opening date is expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
The drop-in centre opened in 2022 as a partnership between the United Way, the Municipality of Chatham-Kent, Ska:Na Family Learning Centre. The facility services roughly 20-40 people each day with food, harm reduction supplies, hygiene products, community connection, as well as a safe, warm place to go.