The city of St. John’s is working with The Gathering Place and the AIDS Committee of Newfoundland and Labrador on a program to clean up needles.
For some time now, residents have been speaking out about public safety, garbage and discarded needles in St. John’s, particularly in the downtown.
The city is providing the ‘Pitching In’ pilot project with $150,000 to employ people who go to The Gathering Place to help clean up downtown parks, sidewalks, bus stops and other public spaces.
The initiative is being led by The Gathering Place itself.
Colin McNeil of the Gathering Place and Mayor Danny Breen (VOCM News)
Executive director Colin McNeil says the program is a natural fit for many of those who avail of their services.
“A lot of our guests are currently volunteering in employment programs, or our volunteer programs within The Gathering Place, so it’s like a natural progression,” says McNeil. “Of course it’s going to provide a very valued service in the downtown area of St. John’s on top of that, and make some spaces…much safer for everybody to use.”
He says guests participating in the program won’t have their earnings or social supports clawed back.
Susan Smith of the AIDS Committee (VOCM News)
Two full-time peer support workers and a project co-ordinator will work with up to six people per shift.
McNeil says Susan Smith of the AIDS Committee of Newfoundland and Labrador will help train people in the safe disposal of hazardous waste, in addition to dealing with what the work might mean for someone struggling with, or recovering from, addiction.
He says Smith and “two very solid peer support workers” will help to assist and build the program. “We have the supports in place to be able to navigate those challenges.”
