Who we are
Street Reach is a grassroots outreach service guided by the principle of harm reduction. It has two main components: Outreach and individual support. Some unique aspects of Street Reach include the support across 16 & over, our evening drop-in, and the outreach walks. Street Reach supports over 1500 participants annually who count on us for their basic needs, the sense of belonging in our space, and the real support they receive.
Throughout the week Street Reach staff also provide drop-in support from our main office at 807 Water Street. From this location staff provide follow-up support to individuals with regards to issues such as housing, inter-agency advocacy, health, crisis management, etc. Individuals can also access SWAP and Naloxone at this location during office times.
Street Reach currently offers the following services: Drop-In, Street Outreach and Support Coordination
Drop-In
Drop-in is provided Monday – Friday at 807 Water Street. Individuals 16 and older can come to Street Reach to access a variety of resources and support.
Drop-In Overview
What We Provide:
- Access to phone & internet
- Sterile drug supplies
- Outerwear (coats, footwear, hats, mittens, etc.)
- Meals and snacks
- System navigation & referral
- Crisis intervention
- Transportation support
- Personal care/hygiene supplies
- Condoms
- Naloxone training & kits
- Point-in-time care and support
Outreach Walks:
Outreach walks occur four times per week. Staff, community partners, and volunteers walk the downtown core with backpacks to support individuals on the streets. These walks offer many of the same services as the Drop-In space, except for internet access and coats/footwear.
- Street Reach partners with the Harm Reduction team and St. John’s Status of Women’s Council, which provides staff for these walks.
Hot Meal and Programming:
Every Thursday evening, Street Reach provides a hot meal, programming, an outreach walk, and typical drop-in supports. Activities include movies, live music, haircuts, and art.
- The evening outreach programming is supported by Street Reach staff, volunteers and community partners.
Support and Connecting People Sleeping Outside:
When individuals, community agencies, businesses, and government entities identify someone sleeping outside, Street Reach is often called to provide support and services.
- These calls have significantly increased over the past two years. Street Reach collaborates with the End Homelessness Outreach Team and the Harm Reduction Team to respond to these calls.
Street Outreach
Street Reach has expanded to include a full-time street-based outreach service. Two Outreach workers are on the streets of downtown St. John’s generally from Monday to Friday from 10:00 AM – 12:00 Noon and 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM (with the exception of Friday mornings).
Street Outreach Overview
What We Provide:
- Crisis Interventions
- Harm Reduction supplies and overdose prevention
- Referrals to services (community supports, food banks, health services etc.)
- Housing & Homelessness Prevention specific supports
- Assistance to eliminate barriers to access supports (i.e. obtain ID’s, open a bank account)
- Pick up improperly discarded drug use supplies
- Assistance with applications
Resources Available to People:
Resources may vary depending on donations and funding, but generally, outreach workers will make available:
- Snacks & water
- Sterile drug use supplies
- Naloxone Kits
- Access to outerwear
- During extreme weather, staff will make every effort to provide supplies that would minimize risks
Supporting Citizens and Businesses in the Downtown:
If you live and/or work in the downtown core and identify someone who may need support you can call the Outreach Workers to request assistance.
Outreach Workers provide Person-Centered Care – What does this mean?
At Thrive, we believe in the inherent dignity and value of every person and that people have the right to access services that respect their autonomy and ability to make decisions about their own lives.
This means:
- All interactions with outreach workers are voluntary;
- Outreach workers will not pressure individuals to move locations;
- The individual determines what services or supports are most important for them
Support Coordination
Street Reach’s core funding supports two Support Coordinators, while End Homelessness St. John’s funds two additional positions. Each staff member provides comprehensive, wrap-around support to approximately 12 individuals with complex needs and significant barriers.
- The positions funded by End Homelessness are exclusively for chronically homeless individuals identified through the Coordinated Access to Homes process.
Support Coordination Overview
Case Management Services:
- Support to secure and maintain housing
- Coordination of care
- Accompaniment to appointments
- System navigation
- Provides resources for basic care items
- Referrals to external services
- Support completing applications
- Goal setting
- Transportation support
How to refer
No referral is necessary. Participants can freely take part in any or all outreach services. Word of mouth is a common way that participants hear about Street Reach.
Intensive Case Management
The Individual Support Coordinator at Street Reach provides intensive case management to participants who have challenges, are experiencing housing instability, and are not connected elsewhere for supports/services. Through crisis intervention, system navigation, advocacy, and one-on-one support the IS Coordinator is able to support their needs and strengthen their connections in the community.
Volunteers, Partners and Staff
Street Reach has approximately 40 trained volunteers that help operate the drop-in and outreach services and who are able to provide support and information to participants. In addition Street Reach has strong partnerships with community agencies, schools, church groups, government departments, and the general community all of whom help make Street Reach successful. The Street Reach program is presently supported by a team of four dynamic staff (see staff list below).
How to volunteer
Volunteer opportunities include those for Outreach volunteers and Prep volunteers. Calls for Outreach volunteers are advertised in the Spring and in the Fall and calls for Prep volunteers are as needed throughout the year.
You can contact Street Reach at 754-0536 ext. 203 for more information, or see the Volunteer Section of this website.
Resources
In 2019, St. John’s re-opened the conversation about panhandling and people who engage in non-traditional street-based industries. Concerns were raised about the number of people panhandling, the vitality of the downtown core, road safety, and for some, what the number of people panhandling means about the economic state of the city and province.
Thrive, and City Officials discussed the importance of approaching panhandling with a compassionate, trauma-informed, and harm-reduction perspective that would not further entrench poverty into the lives of people working in the panhandling industry. Together, the city of St. John’s and Thrive decided to create a community-based research initiative that engaged people who panhandle relevant stakeholders, and the community at large (including people who panhandle). The goal is to understand the needs of all people in the community as it relates to the non-traditional work of panhandling.
Please click the link below to learn more.
How to contact us
Director of Education & Outreach: Sean Reany or call 709-754-0536 ext. 210
Individual Support Coordinator: Laura Moores or call 709-754-0536 ext. 204
Individual Support Coordinator: Heather Hunt or call 709-754-0536 ext. 211
Individual Support Coordinator: Chantelle Weir or call 709-754-0536 ext. 213
Individual Support Coordinator: David Rypien or call 709-754-0536 ext. 207
Drop-In Team Lead: Nick White or call 709-754-0536 ext. 215
Drop-In Support Coordinator: Stephanie Moores or call 709-754-0536 ext. 215
Outreach Worker: Jodi Rossiter
Outreach Worker: Andrew French
Street Reach Drop In Hours
Monday to Thursday: 10 am-2 pm
Wednesdays: Women & Gender Diverse Hours 2-4 pm
Fridays: 1-4 pm
Drop-In by Appointment
Mondays & Tuesdays: 2:00-4:00 pm
Thursday Evening Meal
Thursdays: 5 pm-8 pm