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Path Home Kingston focuses on individuals’ experience with homelessness and resources for community members

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

KINGSTON, ON (Oct 28, 2021) – Earlier this year, United Way KFL&A and the City of Kingston partnered to create a new awareness campaign called Path Home Kingston. The campaign aims to help community members understand that the causes of homelessness are complex and different for each individual. 

During the 2021 Point in Time Count, a higher number of people experiencing homelessness in Kingston (207) were counted compared to 2018. With this increase, colder weather approaching and the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic continuing, awareness is more important than ever.

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, it 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.

Through the Path Home Kingston website, agencies, businesses and individuals can read stories, but they can also find resources to help including contact information for shelters, emergency services, food and meal programs. They can learn who to call if they encounter an individual in need of support and access more information on homelessness in Kingston.

“Homelessness is a complex issue which means there isn’t a simple solution,” added Ashley O’Brien, Manager, Integrated Care Hub Kingston. “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.”

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

To view the full Point In Time Count for 2021 and also view past reports visit https://www.unitedwaykfla.ca/reports/

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

United Way Kingston Frontenac Lennox & Addington works closely with the community to ensure that people have the opportunity to reach their full potential and live with hope, dignity and a sense of belonging. This vision is realized by building on deep-rooted local community knowledge and relationships to empower people to make an impact.

Led by volunteers, driven by a small professional staff team, the United Way KFL&A provides inspiring opportunities for people to get involved and support issues they care about through volunteering, giving and being advocates for people who are in vulnerable situations.

Stay up to date by following our social media channels – Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn and 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

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 releases 2021 Point In Time Homeless Count Report

Counts are a community-level measure of sheltered and unsheltered homelessness, helping to provide a national picture of homelessness

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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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