BIIGTIGONG NISHNAABEG — A program is being implemented in Biigtigong Nishnaabeg to provide safe spaces for youth and those needing help during emergencies.
The Helping Everyone Locate Protection (HELP) program works with community groups to allow adults passing a police screening process with the Anishinabek Police Service (APS) to offer their homes for immediate assistance when emergency personnel are not readily available.
The program will also educate the community on safe practices and protocols.
Florinda Christianson, a logistics and data management specialist for Community Development, was selected for a committee to help form HELP. She said the program is currently in its infancy stages.
“I really believe this is a good program. Once we get more homes involved, it makes it better for Biigtigong in the end,” said Christianson.
The program was launched last July 25.
With its launch, the committee went into schools to show videos and speak with kindergarten to Grade 8 students about HELP and what it does. It provided students with decals for homes, stickers, an activity booklet and some wristbands.
It also started posting flyers, asking for help to start implementing the program in the community, including at the Community Moose Camp.
“What we want people to understand is that we need your help to make sure that these homes provide a safe place for you to go at any time,” said Christianson.
As it stands, Christianson believes 12 homes are activated right now.
“When you come into the community, you'll see our HELP logo, saying 'this is a HELP safe community,'” said Christianson.
It provides a visual outside of homes for people who have been screened and have gone through the orientation, so when they're available to help, it's visible for anyone to access it, she explained.
Anybody in these homes 18 and over, she added, has to go through the screening to ensure it is a safe home to go to and afterwards, it is their responsibility to let the committee know if someone else has moved in.
Screening is offered at no cost to those volunteering their homes.
“We're always looking for new members, community members that will assist us in this program because without them we won't be successful,” said Christianson.
She added she really thinks the program is useful for any emergency.
“There are incidents that happened previously in the community that made chief and council aware and we can't be here to protect them all the time,” said Christianson.
While the community does have APS, she said they sometimes get called out and having HELP homes in the community would assist in aiding them.
Last year, Christianson explained the community had someone come in and try to take a child into their vehicle.
“I think that was a big concern that alarmed chief and council and how we can work as a community to make sure that everyone is safe because this is their home,” said Christianson.
“I think every child or anybody in this community has the right to feel safe whether outside playing or going to the store or whatever that's going on in locally everyday things.”
As a volunteer-run program, she added that people can decide to back out of the program at any time, with no questions asked.
As covered in their orientation, volunteers also do not have to open doors if they do not feel comfortable for those they're unsure of.
“If someone's intoxicated, do not let them into your home, because at the end of the day you are very important. We have to make sure that you feel safe,” said Christianson.
Volunteers are further supplied with first aid kits but only have to use them if they feel comfortable doing so.
Christianson said she would like to see the program in other communities as well.
“If they want information (on) how we did ours, they can reach out to one of the committee members and we'll be willing to help you, but I really want ours off and kicking and solid just so we know and I think the more homes we have, it's only going to be better for our community,” said Christianson.
