Oxford partners with non-profit to help maintain homeless shelter services

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Oxford County is reinforcing its bond with a non-profit organization dedicated to tackling homelessness.

In a joint announcement Tuesday, Oxford County said it “formalized a partnership” with Woodstock-based Operation Sharing to maintain overnight services at The Inn, a 55-bed shelter at Old St. Paul’s Anglican Church in Woodstock.

“Operation Sharing offers immediate relief to our unhoused population,” Rebecca Smith, Oxford County’s interim director of human services, said in a statement. “While we continue to work on long-term solutions to address critical housing needs, this partnership ensures that Oxford County residents in need have a warm, dry and safe place to sleep each night.”

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The agreement follows a 25-bed expansion at The Inn’s 723 Dundas St. location in Woodstock earlier this year that was supported by Oxford County. The arrangement reaffirms “a commitment to supporting vulnerable and unhoused populations” in the county, the statement said.

The Inn provides year-round overnight shelter services for people in need.

“The Inn is a crucial resource for residents, providing essential shelter and support services to those in need,” Oxford County Warden Marcus Ryan said.

Last year, The Inn provided shelter for 237 people and the nightly average was 24 people, which was close to maximum capacity before 25 beds were added in March.

As well as helping those in need at The Inn, Operation Sharing runs a daytime space at College Avenue Church at 22 Wilson St. where it provides access to job training, employment assistance, counselling, mental-health support and emergency financial aid through the county’s Human Services.

Operation Sharing also provides emergency shelter in Tillsonburg at its Out of the Cold location on 60 Harvey St. in partnership with Avondale United Church.

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“Together, we are working to provide immediate relief for those experiencing homelessness while pursuing long-term solutions that foster housing stability for all,” Ryan said.

Oxford County is guided by its 100 per cent housed goal, which supports its 10-year plan to work on addressing critical needs for vulnerable populations, including transitional, supportive and affordable housing, a release said.

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SHELTER INFORMATION

What: Community shelters providing a supportive environment for individuals experiencing homelessness

Where: Old St. Paul’s Anglican Church at 723 Dundas St. in Woodstock and at Avondale United Church in Tillsonburg

When: The Inn operates between 4 p.m. and 8 a.m, and Out of the Cold opens at 7 p.m. and closes at 8 a.m.

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