This is the 25th in a series of columns written by staff from The Lighthouse to help the community better understand people experiencing homelessness and those who support them. This column appears every other Monday.
The Lighthouse is more than just a physical location in our community; it’s a hub of support and compassion where we provide services to people who are at risk of or who are experiencing homelessness.
The Lighthouse does not do this work alone; community partners are also involved in daily operations. Volunteers, donors, community members participating in events, and other service organizations in the community all play a crucial role in the work we do.
When we talk about partnerships, we’re referring to anyone who provides services to participants within The Lighthouse’s community services, supportive housing, or outreach programs.
Why do we partner with other organizations?
Partnerships are essential because we recognize each participant who is accessing Lighthouse services has unique needs, and the resources they require are therefore diverse. In Orillia, in addition to The Lighthouse’s programs, there are several organizations providing services that are relevant for people who are experiencing homelessness. These include everything from employment services to pharmaceutical and medical services, mental health support, Indigenous-specific services, education-related resources, and more.
The Lighthouse offers a wide variety of services, but we are not experts in all areas. By partnering with other organizations, we can connect participants to specialized services. It allows us to ensure people have access to appropriate resources without duplicating efforts. As we connect participants to community partners, it ensures resources are used efficiently, providing participants with the best possible support and access to a range of resources. Additionally, partnerships allow us to increase awareness about The Lighthouse’s services, making it easier for community partners to refer participants to us.
Partnerships also help participants build connections in the community, which is integral to their success as they transition from The Lighthouse to permanent housing. If individuals have accessed a resource while staying at The Lighthouse, they are more likely to reach out to that organization in the future due to their familiarity and comfortability with the organization. In this way, partnerships act as a bridge and provide continuity of care for participants. It is essential to ensure participants are well supported as they move into the community.
Trust and consistency are key factors as partners work with participants. Many participants feel they have been let down by systems meant to support them, and we always strive to demonstrate reliability as we provide wraparound support. Operating outside of silos means we are aware of the programs in our community and can refer participants to the appropriate resources. Open communication with partners allows us to ensure participants receive comprehensive services. We aim to build strong, reciprocal relationships with our partners, offering them support as they support us. We fill gaps in each other’s services, recognizing we are better together.
Community partners engage with The Lighthouse with varied frequency. They may attend weekly, monthly, annually, or simply be partners we can reach out to or refer participants to on an as-needed basis.
Partnerships are integral for all areas of The Lighthouse. Our list of partners is extensive and continues to grow as the needs of our participants change. By working together, we can ensure each individual has access to the resources needed to build a hopeful future in our community.
Rosemary Petersen is the assistant director at The Lighthouse and can be reached at [email protected].
