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Path Home Kingston focuses on individuals’ experience with homelessness

United Way KFL&A and City of Kingston partner with agencies to create awareness campaign

KINGSTON, ON (May 13, 2021) – United Way KFL&A and the City of Kingston have partnered to create a new awareness campaign called Path Home Kingston that aims to help community members understand that the causes of homelessness are complex and different for each individual.

The COVID-19 pandemic has put a sharp focus on homelessness in many communities, including Kingston.

With input from frontline agencies, case workers and community members with lived experience, Path Home Kingston shares stories of individuals from different backgrounds that are homeless or have been homeless, showing how their path through life and experiences impacted their current situation.

“Homelessness isn’t an issue that impacts only certain people – we can all be at risk,” explains Carol Ravnaas, Executive Director, Client Services, Addiction & Mental Health Services – KFLA. “Traumatic experiences, family violence or a history of physical, mental health and/or addictions issues can contribute to experiencing homelessness. Safe and stable housing can also be out of reach to those experiencing poverty or systemic barriers. Transformational life events can happen unexpectedly, and a lack of supports, resources and affordable housing can put anyone on a path to homelessness.”

The campaign, designed by BmDodo Strategic Design, shows that it’s not possible to see the challenges an individual has faced or what someone’s overcome at a glance. Real life stories of local residents who have become homeless are included in the campaign.

“At our shelter we have seen every walk of life come through our doors,” explained Amanda Brierley, Supervisor, In From The Cold Emergency Shelter, Kingston Home Base Housing. “What I would like the community to consider is that anyone is only three steps away from homelessness. It is a loss of family – relationship breakdown or death; loss of job – this has happened even more with the pandemic; and loss of home or being unable to pay rent.”

While the campaign does not cover all the stories, the campaign aims to give a sampling of experiences. Through a series of advertisements on social media, in print, and through Kingston Transit buses and shelters, the campaign shows that solutions must be tailored to the individual and sometimes it can take a few tries to succeed.

“Homelessness is a complex issue which means there isn’t a simple solution,” added Ashley O’Brien, Manager, Integrated Care Hub Kingston. “Many people often express they feel shame about being homeless and people will continue to feel shame until we decrease stigma. We also know that just providing housing to people will not end homelessness. I truly believe people need to experience meaningful connection, belonging and community to thrive. I believe Kingston is a community that has all the resources it needs to end homelessness and if we want to actually end homelessness, the answers will come from the people who are experiencing it. They know what they need, we just have to listen.”

Through the Path Home Kingston site, agencies, businesses and individuals can read stories, find resources to help, learn more about homelessness in the city and find connections on where to learn more, help or offer feedback.  

More than 235,000 people in Canada experience homelessness in any given year, and 25,000 to 35,000 people may be experiencing homelessness on any given night.

To learn more about Path Home Kingston, visit www.pathhomekingston.com

About the City of Kingston

The City of Kingston provides municipal services to 125,000 residents living in this visually stunning, historic city, often ranked one of the best places to live in Canada. In 2014, it was named a Top 7 Smart Community by the Intelligent Community Forum. Kingston is focusing on being smart and livable as it pursues its vision to become Canada’s most sustainable city. We focus on environmental responsibility, social equity, economic health and cultural vitality – – ensuring that today’s decisions don’t compromise our future. 

Please visit www.CityofKingston.ca and join the conversation on social media. Twitter: @CityofKingston Facebook: www.facebook.com/TheCityofKingston

About United Way KFL&A

The United Way KFL&A works with individuals, organizations and key partners in the Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox and Addington Region to build and strengthen our shared community, bringing people and resources together to facilitate change for the better. Our vision is a future in which people are self-sufficient in a community, where individuals live with hope, dignity and a sense of belonging. Stay up to date by following our social media channels – Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn and of course, look for regular updates on our website at www.unitedwaykfla.ca.

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Media Contacts:

To arrange interviews with representatives from the agencies quoted above or representatives from United Way KFL&A or the City of Kingston please contact:  

Mandy Pasch, Manager, Marketing and Communications
United Way KFL&A
613-542-2674, ext. 1204, marketing@unitedwaykfla.ca

Rob Hosier, Communications Officer
City of Kingston
613-532-9331, rhosier@cityofkingston.ca

Path Home Kingston

United Way KFL&A and the City of Kingston have partnered to create a new awareness campaign called Path Home Kingston that aims to help community members understand that the causes of homelessness are complex and different for each individual. www.pathhomekingston.ca

Plan to End Youth Homelessness

On any given night, more than 6,000 Canadian youth are homeless.Young people account for one in five of the people living in Canada’s homeless shelters. In 2013, this number was even higher in Kingston at one in three. In five years, that figure returned to the national average in Kingston, thanks to a collective effort by the community.

United Way KFL&A leads local 2021 Point in Time Homeless Count

United Way is responsible for coordinating and conducting the Point in Time (PIT) Count in Kingston. Working with the City of Kingston and agency partners, our community has conducted 3 PIT Counts since 2013.

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"My wife and I have always donated to the United Way KFL&A because we know the donated funds are used in our community. In my retirement, I have become more aware of the people in need in our community. I encourage you to support these vital programs by volunteering and by making a donation. Through the United Way you make a difference in the lives of so many."
Jim Parker
"With our United Way funding, we go right to the grocery store or a local supplier and purchase the food that helps a student take advantage of everything school has to offer. You can be confident that your donation to the United Way stays here, in KFL&A and supports students in our community"
Brenda MooreFood Sharing Project
“United Way came in and adopted us and things changed dramatically, we didn’t have people waiting on the step for a bed in the winter. They stay as long as they need to and we help them get into transitional housing. We provide them with structure and help them. Because of United Way we get to help raise these children and I feel honoured and so proud to know them.”
Denise LambKingston Youth Shelter
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United Way of KFL&A would like to acknowledge this traditional territory’s longer existence and its significance for the Indigenous people who lived and continue to live on Turtle Island.

We are situated on traditional Anishinaabe, Haudenosaunee and Huron-Wendat land. There are Métis and other non-status First People from many Indigenous Nations present in our community today. This acknowledgement symbolizes the United Way KFL&A’s first step, of many, along this path toward Indigenous reconciliation, in a respectful manner.

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