R.O.C.K. Missions started a homeless outreach program in August of 2019. Outreach is an essential step towards meeting people experiencing long-term or multiple episode homelessness and developing the critical relationships necessary for supporting the transition to affordable housing and/or needed treatment.

Why are we different?  Because what we do is go to where people are right now because that’s what we find to be most effective. The reason is simple - Waiting for people to come to us didn’t work. 

This model highlights three essential aspects of outreach.

First-  going to where people are, rather than waiting for them to seek services.

Second- site-based social services may not be accessible for people who are marginalized.

Third- and finally, it is probably most effective.

 

Homeless service providers, advocates, and consumers have viewed the process of outreach and engagement as critical components of homeless service delivery. R.O.C.K. Missions works by networking to identify people in need and get in touch with them; meeting them where they are and on their terms. 

 

We find people, assess their needs, and connect them with community services. R.O.C.K. Missions principles relate to the importance of the human connection and how to create it.  This includes building trust, developing a sense of community, while treating all dignity, respect, and honesty. Some other principles of the importance we provide include serving as a patient advocate, reducing barriers to services, harm reduction, and trauma-informed care. 

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Our core outreach principles include the following: 

• Meet people where they are-geographically, emotionally, and physically.

• Meet basic needs.

• Be respectful and treat everyone with dignity.

• Recognize that the relationship is central to outreach and engagement.

• Create a safe, open, friendly space, regardless of the setting. 

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Currently, ROCK Missions goes out on Tuesdays and Saturdays, in Chatham, visiting various locations that are frequented by the homeless. We will continue to expand our outreach as we learn about more locations. We deliver bagged lunches, clothing and hygiene, harm reduction, and basic first aid supplies.  

To date, our community needs have grown to where we are now serving 300+ lunches each time we go out.  We have befriended many but meet new people regularly. 

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With our year milestone now passed, we recently become federally incorporated as a non-profit.  We have partnered with many community-based organizations in Chatham-Kent, including Chatham-Kent Mental Health Association, the Chatham-Kent Public Health Unit, and the Chatham-Kent Non-Profit Centre (formerly the United Way).  We have nurses and social workers on our team, and we work closely with the Indigenous Peer Navigator.  We are also working hand in hand with Employment and Social Services in their goal to find housing for all.   

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