Hope Unlimited Homeless Shelter

On October 25th 2021, Addiction and Mental Health Advocates, of Sault Ste Marie, Ontario, hosted a gathering to protest the lack of services available for those suffering from addiction, mental health issues and/or homelessness.

On that day a teepee joined us to support our cause and sacred fires were lit for continous prayers and healing. Tents were donated and were set up to assist in housing our vulnerable population. All of this is taking place on the front lawn of our City Hall, therefore giving the homeless a voice and showing them that they are heard and supported by our community members.

Homelessness, addiction and mental illness have been an ongoing crisis in Sault Ste Marie and unfortunately, an unrecognized pandemic, taking more lives than COVID-19.

Winter is quickly approaching. The weather has already turned cold and unforgiving. Our call out for more shelter beds has resulted in 22 beds being created for the winter... THIS IS NOT ENOUGH ! In 2019, SSM was listed as having 103 homeless individuals. This was before the pandemic and we are certain that there are more now.

We are extremely grateful to our wonderful community that has donated items and graced us with their presence around our sacred fires. We are remaining at City Hall until we feel a suitable, long term resolution has been met.

Our helpers and volunteers have discovered a building in town that is a perfect place for a permanent shelter. But we need your help.... We will approach the provincial and Federal Government to assist with running the shelter on a daily basis, but we need the seed money to get it started. We need to clean the building, do any immediate renovations needed, install showers and pay first and last months' rent. We have some sweat equity - those willing to volunteer to assist us in getting what we need and various groups who are willing to partner with us to deliver the necessary services. But we need financial help to get the ball rolling.

Please help us accomplish this and help us to get the homeless off the streets who are stealing for their survival. Worried about the criminality in Sault Ste Marie? Help us help those with addiction and mental health issues and those that are homeless. We need to work together.

We will be continuing our vigil at City Hall indefinitely. So please join us at our sacred fires and please find it in your heart to donate to our cause.

Chi Miigwetch