Partnership offers a bridge for Crystal Ridge Dream Center clients

Crystal Ridge Dream Center has launched a program in partnership with Bridges Community Health Centre.

Serving about 600 people monthly in Fort Erie’s communities of Ridgeway and Crystal Beach, the centre already had a plethora of programs and services for adults and youths.

“It’s nice to be able to work together with another organization,” Gina Middagh, operations manager and one of the founders of the centre, said of the new partnership.

The program, which launched recently, will feature a once-a-month visit from Aaron Thompson, community health outreach worker with Bridges Community Health Centre.

Thompson will be at Crystal Ridge Dream Center from 9 until 11 a.m. on the last Friday of the month.

“As someone who calls Crystal Beach home, it holds a special place in my heart,” Thompson said.

While there, he’ll offer outreach services to connect people with community services. Ultimately, his role each visit is to focus on lowering, if not removing, barriers that impact determinants of health.

“That ranges from system navigation to assistance with forms or applications, as well as advocacy, crisis support and resource referrals,” he said.

Middagh echoed how something like filling out a form can seem so easy.

“For someone who’s struggling with mental health and those types of things, it’s hard for them. It’s a barrier, for sure.”

Instead of people having to try to navigate multiple systems and agencies on their own, she said they can visit Crystal Ridge Dream Center and speak with someone who can guide them.

“Offering an access point through outreach is lowering a barrier. If we can then connect individuals and families to resources and support those connections, that’s a positive thing for the community,” Thompson said.

The idea for this partnership spawned after a Brock University professor and individuals from the food bank Strong Fort Erie Neighbourhoods visited Crystal Ridge Dream Center. They spoke about homelessness and food insecurity.

From that meeting, Middagh said, “There was a realization that there’s a gap. That a lot of the people that came were maybe not aware of all the services that were available or were not able to get to those services.”

She thought of Thompson. Middagh knew him through other initiatives and social work and said he is a natural fit because of his prior connection and work in the community.

“I thought it was a great idea,” said Thompson. “Greater Fort Erie has a fairly large geographical area for its population, which can pose access challenges for those who do not have consistent access to transportation.”

Because this is a new program, the partners are testing to see how much demand there is. During the first session on June 26, within the first hour someone arrived to speak with Thompson.

“The first day was very positive,” Thompson said. “As we continue to build momentum and an increased presence, I look forward to making meaningful connections in the community of Crystal Beach.”

Middagh said if they find there’s more need for the services Thompson offers, they’ll discuss having him at the site for more days.

“We’re here for the same thing–to ensure that people have access to the services that are available to them. Sometimes people do not have someone to advocate for them,” she said.

This free initiative does not require pre-registration or referral.

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