While still coming to terms with the city’s recently declared state of emergency, St. Mary’s Parish in Barrie, Ont., will be hosting its second annual symposium on homelessness Oct. 6 under the theme of “Responding with Compassion and Hope.” 

An event planned before the city's crackdown on homeless encampments, now amplified by it, will feature various speakers joining Fr. Larry Léger in providing more information surrounding the nuances of homelessness, as well as what can be done to combat the issue. Additionally, the connection between homelessness and lack of housing, addiction and mental health will be explored in depth. 

“We want to continue to get people  informed about practical steps that are necessary because I know it's not as simple as just showing up on someone’s doorstep, so to speak, there are a bunch of steps that have to happen,” Léger said. 

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St. Mary's first symposium in April saw upwards of 400 people attend. This time around, those in attendance will hear from Barrie Police Chief Rich Johnston speak on critical thinking around homelessness, Barrie Cares on developing a “campus of care" for integrated supports, personal testimonials and the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Simcoe County on practical steps for addiction recovery and treatment. 

Throughout, St. Mary’s Social Justice and Advocacy Committee, including Léger, will speak on the importance of responding compassionately and openly, a key aspect of the seminar backed by a firm belief in Catholic social teaching and reverence for life and the needy. 

“I want people to leave on that Monday night with the mindset of when we see the unhoused, that we don't think our world is falling apart, but realize that we need to reach out in acts of compassion. We need to continue to be the hands and feet of Christ in our world, and we want people to know that there are so many services that are there to help with that,” Léger said. 

The symposium will also feature Habitat for Humanity Huronia, which will shed light on the spectrum of housing in society while sharing some of its permanent home ownership solutions and how access to affordable housing can ease the pressure on the community.

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Robert Cikoja, the CEO of Habitat for Humanity Huronia, told The Catholic Register the current state lends itself to a time for healing and results. 

“ I know this is near and dear to Mayor Alex Nuttall’s heart; he’s not a proponent of just trying to get rid of everybody, he’s about looking to solve this problem. I think this was more of lifting the bandaid, taking that initial pain away and looking at how we can start healing,” he said. 

Habitat for Humanity's mission is to help low-income families into home ownership, opening up the supply for market rentals and transitional housing, which in turn opens up the space in local shelters. 

“ For us, it’s about providing a zero-per-cent mortgage, no down payment, capped at 25 per cent of a person's income. It's really an ability to offer financial stability, to create a pathway to traditional home ownership,” Cijoka said. “It’s a wonderful stepping stone for people coming out of market rentals, but also for people getting into traditional home ownership.” 

Teasing the talk on the spectrum of housing, the CEO said he hopes to highlight the effectiveness that can come from this model when looking at responses to homelessness. He said  83 per cent of Habitat for Humanity Huronia’s partner families’ children go on to post-secondary education, and 79 per cent of homeowners remain homeowners through the rest of their generation. 

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“It  goes back to the importance of information. The more people have information, including the unhoused, the more we can respond in a way where a lot of people often just don't know where to start,” Cijoka said. 

The symposium will take place at the parish, where Léger and company hope that the information presented can be turned into action as a city in crisis looks to move forward together.