In 1985, Na-Me-Res began offering emergency shelter to Aboriginal men who were without a place to live. Since then, a greater understanding of the underlying causes of Aboriginal homelessness has emerged. In response, particularly over the past few years, Na-Me-Res has either redesigned its programs or designed and implemented new programs to ensure it is meeting the unique needs of Aboriginal me
n who live in a state of homelessness. As an Aboriginal organization, Na-Me-Res strives to meet the physical, mental, spiritual and emotional needs of all clients by providing them with access to is multidisciplinary care team, which includes Traditional Elders and teachers, case managers, counsellors, client care and support workers, street outreach workers, housing support workers, aftercare workers, registered nurse (RN), a psychiatrist, a medical doctor (MD), Oshkabaywis (spiritual helper), a life-skills co-ordinator, and other community service providers as identified. Based on a culturally responsive, strengths-based case management approach to client care, these programs include:
The Men's Residence
14 Vaughan Road
Clients who are homeless are provided with temporary shelter, assistance and support to secure housing appropriate to their needs. To meet the increasing number of Aboriginal men who come to Toronto for a better life, the residence has grown since 1985 from a 26 to a 71-bed residence. Sagatay (A New Beginning-26 Vaughan Road)
Sagatay is a safe and supportive learning and housing environment with 25 beds for Aboriginal men. Programs offered provide residents with the opportunity to develop the skills required to succeed in the broader urban environment as strong, self-confident Aboriginal men. Apaenmowineen (Having Confidence In Myself)
This six-month life-skills program is offered in a safe and supportive learning environment at Sagatay. Workshops include, but are not limited to healthy living, drumming, literacy, community gardening, sharing circles, financial literacy, creative writing, traditional teachings, photography, addictions programming and employability workshops. Aboriginal Outreach & Support Services-20A Vaughan Road
This service is provided to people living on the streets and in seasonal shelters, providing them with support and assistance as they transition from streets to homes. To ensure clients remain successfully housed, an Aboriginal-specific case-management service called Aftercare is provided for each client enrolled. Our goals are to eliminate any issues that arise once the client is housed. These issues can include the need for a primary healthcare provider, ID clinics, neighbourhood meal sites, food banks and walk-in clinics. Housing First Elder Outreach
The Elder Outreach project started as a pilot project of our Streets to Homes/Housing First Outreach team in 2013, which has been in existence since 2004. The utilization of Elders alongside street outreach workers has facilitated a positive working relationship; they bring a strong cultural knowledge and life experience in engaging with the homeless Aboriginal people they meet. The Elders bring culture and ceremony to Aboriginal homeless people wherever they are. Ngim Kowa Njichaag (Reclaiming My Spirit)
The goal of the Ngim Kowa Njichaag program is to assist all Na-Me-Res clients in claiming their culture, identity, role and responsibilities through the delivery of culture-based services within a safe, healing environment. Mino Kaanjigoowin (Changing My Direction In Life)
Mino Kaanjigoowin means finding the good to change yourself or your direction in life. The focus of the Mino Kaanjigoowin (MK) program is to support vulnerable homeless Aboriginal men with complex mental health and addiction issues in housing. We are cognizant of the impact of intergenerational trauma, colonialism and residential schools. The Intensive case management (ICM) team helps these men to obtain and/or maintain healthy living and housing in Toronto. MK operates as a wraparound support service under the umbrella of Na-Me-Res, following the philosophy of Housing First Principle which has been adopted as a mandate by the City of Toronto. The program operates as a recovery-oriented approach to ending homelessness that focuses on quickly moving homeless people into independent and permanent housing without requiring psychiatric treatment or sobriety, and then providing additional supports and services to stabilize clients physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually. MK recognizes that holistic intervention should be developed within the context of Aboriginal history, values and culture. The ICM team follows the teachings of the Medicine Wheel (interconnectedness of all life and the importance of balance and harmony in creation) to help clients find their balance. The O'Gitchidaa Mushkiki Wigwam (OMW)
This is the Anishnawbe name of our housing located in Parkdale; when translated into the English language it loosely means the Warrior's Medicine House. Na-Me-Res provides property management for two houses both of which opened in September 2012. This continuity of care allows staff to transition with clients to offer housing support. Staff offer suggestions on ways for clients to effectively deal with budgeting, conflict resolution and other housing aftercare matters. Tenants are provided with a Tenant Handbook when they first move in; these handbooks provide them with information on landlord and community contact phone numbers, food banks/low-cost meals in Parkdale, a garbage and recycling calendar,and information for new tenants (Landlord & Tenant Board mandatory handout for new tenants). Tenants must be current or former Na-Me-Res residents. Sometimes new clients who move into OMW are familiar with other residents who then become their neighbours. This givens tenants a sense of community and sharing. Tenants are also welcome to visit Na-Me-Res to participate in sweats, circles and other activities. OMW is comprised of two recently renovated houses neighbouring each other; there are a total of 22 units (11 bachelors, 10 one-bedrooms and 1 two-bedroom). The City of Toronto defines affordable housing as rent that is 80 per cent of the average market rate (AMR); rents at OMW are only 57 per cent of AMR. This helps clients who would typically be transient, to enjoy long-term residency.
