By Stephanie Froese

Homes for the Homeless partner calling out inaction in the community

Nov 22, 2011 | 5:08 PM

An advocate for Prince Albert’s homeless is pointing fingers at people and groups, who he says “talk-the-talk but don’t walk-the-walk”.

John Fryters, executive director with Jubilation Residential Centres is a partner in Homes for the Homeless, a program that has seen a high success rate with its clients, while constantly struggling to find program funding.

“A lot of people say there is a homelessness problem but they don’t want to do anything about it,” Fryters said.

“We’ve had homelessness demonstrations this year, we had a homeless week, we had a homeless march … I’m pointing fingers and what I’m saying is, hey, start putting your actions where your mouth is.”

Homes for the Homeless, which has reached yet another deadline to secure funding, has received an anonymous donation of $25,000. Fryters said they have pared down their costs to stretch this funding as much as possible. He estimates it could keep the program alive until mid-April. At the moment the program has to raise around $6,000 per month to keep going.

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Homes for the Homeless is a joint effort between the North Saskatchewan River Metis Local #269 and Jubilation Residential Centres Inc.

According to Fryters 90 per cent of their clients are referred from the Ministry of Social Services.

Because of this high number the partners have been looking to the ministry for some form of permanent funding, but has so far been denied.

During the provincial election the ministry sent Homes for the Homeless a letter indicating a representative would like to be in touch as soon as the election process was over.

Fryters said he is hopeful about this meeting but is disheartened with the lack of support from some in the community.

“If Our House would not be financed by Social Services, if the YWCA would not be financed by Social Services what you would have is, you would have absolutely nothing being done for the homeless,” Fryters said.

“I’m talking to politicians, I’m talking to community leaders and I’m talking to the church in Prince Albert. I know there are many sides and issues to homelessness but I’m talking to people that are supposed to be, by philosophy, help the down and out. We’re not seeing it.”

Darryl Hickie, MLA for Prince Albert Carlton, has also corresponded with Fryters indicating he has passed on his concerns to June Draude, Minister of Social Services and would follow up in 21 days if no response is given.

sfroese@panow.com