Annual Elliot Lake challenge raises funds and awareness about homelessness

Homeless challenge held in Elliot Lake An important fundraiser that gives people a taste of what its like to be homeless is ongoing now in Elliot Lake.

An annual challenge that invites the community to camp outside for three nights and four days is back in Elliot Lake.

The third annual Homelessness Challenge, run by the Elliot Lake Women’s Group, kicked off shortly before 1 p.m. Thursday near the Grace Christian Church.

The launch included speeches from workers and individuals with lived experience.

"There's a lot of misconceptions surrounding homelessness and a lot of homelessness," said Women's Group executive director Esther Rongoma.

"People are misunderstood. So, we started this to basically raise awareness (in) the community of the issues and challenges that homeless people face."

Rongoma added that many people believe homelessness doesn’t exist in Elliot Lake.

"We have a lot of people facing homelessness, just like across Ontario. Just like across Canada, we face the same challenges," she said.

"Our homeless shelter is just about seven beds and we are always full."

An additional focus of the initiative is to raise funds for Larry’s Place Fresh Start, a men’s shelter run entirely by community support.

"Because we have different shelters, the women's shelter is funded by the Ministry of Children and Community Social Services," Rongoma said.

"However, for Larry's Place, it doesn't have any guaranteed funding. So on a year-to-year basis, we usually receive one-time donations."

Since the event was created two years ago, the challenge has raised $18,000.

Cody Pawliuk, Larry’s Place outreach coordinator, said the funds go a long way.

"It is allocated to food security, basic needs," Pawliuk said.

"A lot of men coming into the shelter have nothing -- no hygiene, no clothing. We are very, very dependent on community donations and community partners, as well."

Pawliuk has personally participated in the challenge for the last two years and said many don’t understand how difficult it is to be homeless.

"Battling the temperatures, the weather, also sleeping in a tent or in your car, whatever it may be," he said.

'People don't understand'

"While trying to look for work, look for housing, accessing resources is just such a battle that a lot of people don't understand."

Larry’s Place clients Michael Tasse and Gary Cowling shared their personal stories.

"I did have a successful business in Mississauga, but I lost everything and I thought I was at the end of my rope," Cowling said.

"And then I met Danny, one of the workers there, and he just made sure I kept going straight. And he found me lots of work and now I’ve started my own construction company and I'm renting a house here in town."

Tasse became homeless at the hands of addiction.

"I've gone through addiction my whole life and progressively just getting worse and worse until finally I got, you know, kicked out of my apartment and I lost everything," he said.

"The contents of my apartment (and) my girlfriend was gone. My dog, you know, job was lost. And I'd given up on life."

Tasse said he was introduced to Larry’s Place to connect him to various supports. He now has a full-time job in Sault Ste Marie.

"It’s up to us to change our lives, for sure, but it is up to the community, as well, to give us the opportunity," he said.

"Just sharing a smile with somebody might give them the (desire) to change or inspire them to think that there is still good in this world and, you know, that not everybody does hate you because of the way you look or whatever where you come from, what your situation is. We all just need a chance."

The Homelessness Challenge runs until Oct. 27. Participants can sign up for one night or for the full three.

Donations can be made online or in person at 1 College Place, Elliot Lake.

All are welcome to come and show their support.