After a tornado hit eastern Ontario, volunteers stepped up to replace damaged tents and provide essential supplies for the unhoused community at Kingston’s Belle Park.
The storm impacted people living in encampments at Belle Park and caused destruction in Sydenham, Harrowsmith, and Kingston’s Rideau Heights area.
Local advocate and Threads of Hope co-founder Pam Gray organized a response on Facebook to help replace the lost items.
“We lost, I think, it was between three and six tents, but those tents were replaced right away from our inventory,” said Gray.
Belle Park has long been a place where unhoused individuals can find shelter. Gray has been involved with Kingston’s unhoused community for over 5 years and shared her thoughts during an interview with YGK News.
“The city doesn’t help at all … The city would send in Public Works if necessary, and their very small outreach teams.” Gray mentioned that local advocates submitted service requests to Public Works but is uncertain if those have been fulfilled. “As far as replacing what they lost that day, that would only be our group’s,” Gray continued.
YGK News reached out to Public Works in Kingston regarding the tornado cleanup efforts in Belle Park but hasn’t received a response yet.
Gray praised the city’s outreach workers for their assistance but pointed out that local volunteers often need to fill the gaps due to a limited number of outreach workers available.
“We have a hundred volunteers looking out for the homeless in this city; the city has six outreach workers for the entire city,” said Gray.
Michelle Schwarz, who organizes Feed the People, was handing out food in Belle Park when the storm struck.
“It was indeed traumatizing for many,” said Schwarz. “We were holding down the frame of the carport so the wind wouldn’t sweep it away.” Schwarz added.
Feed the People provides meals to those without homes from a carport located in Belle Park with support from local volunteers.
The City of Kingston has contacted local advocates and Public Works to help deal with the aftermath of the storm.
City councillor Gregory Ridge shared his actions concerning safety measures for residents within his district in a statement to YGK News.
“With most high-risk situations now resolved, crews will continue working to ensure all storm-related debris is cleared. I have also heard from advocates for those living in Belle Park. To ensure these concerns are promptly addressed, I’ve connected them with the hard-working Public Works and Housing and Homelessness teams,” said Coun. Ridge
The city staff expects that all storm-related damage will be cleaned up by week’s end.
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