THUNDER BAY — An organization that supports homeless individuals in the city is celebrating new funding that will allow it to hire more staff and extend its hours.
"I jumped for joy when they told me," said Georgina McKinnon, executive director of PACE, based on Victoria Avenue.
She'd learned that the District of Thunder Bay Social Services Administration Board had more than tripled its funding — increasing from $50,000 to operate a warming / cooling centre in 2023/24 to $179,000 for 2024/25.
"I can extend our hours year-round. Instead of being 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., PACE is now going to open 7:30 a.m. until 7 p.m. Monday to Friday, and 9:00 'til 7:00 Saturday and Sunday, year-round."
McKinnon said her clients are happy because she hears "on a daily basis that there's nothing for them to do, nowhere for them to go on the weekends or evenings. This is going to give them the ability to have a place rather than get into trouble."
PACE is bringing on five additional staff to handle the extended hours.
"That also gives us the ability to have three people on shift rather than two. It'll make it a lot easier on the staff and the clients. Less waiting."
McKinnon expressed gratitude to DSSAB, saying PACE's clients need the support, and "truly appreciate it."
Social services board CEO Ken Ranta called PACE "a great partner for us downtown."
He said DSSAB has worked with PACE for a number of years, and the services they deliver go hand-in-hand with the emergency shelters, which have also received additional funding to operate more beds this winter.
"Where an individual may have a nice warm indoor place to stay at night, during the day they now have or continue to have a place where they can go meet with people that can offer supports, education, insights, different services."
According to Ranta, the important role it plays brought PACE's submission for funding to enhance its services a favourable response.
"We value the relationship, so it was a pretty easy decision for our board to augment the support that we offered them."
