Overdose prevention in Chatham-Kent just got a financial boost from the province to keep a key program going.
Reach Out Chatham-Kent (R.O.C.K.) has received a $600,000 grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation to support the Peer-2-Peer Program over the next three years.
According to R.O.C.K., the Peer-2-Peer program was built from the ground up to develop, expand, and support peer-led outreach and overdose response interventions in marginalized neighbourhoods in Chatham-Kent through community-driven, collaborative, trauma and violence informed care approaches.
The Peer-2-Peer Program will address the overdose crisis in Chatham-Kent through engaging, valuing, and investing in people with lived and living expertise of substance use, said R.O.C.K., ensuring that all individuals impacted by homelessness and the war on people who use drugs have access to harm reduction and overdose response services.
R.O.C.K. said the grant will be used to build meaningful connections and belonging among people experiencing homelessness through outreach, drop-in services, peer support, community education, and awareness building.
“Increasing opportunities for connection and belonging are critical to our community’s collective houselessness response, as well as addressing the increasing social divide, negative mental health, and isolation,” said R.O.C.K. Executive Director Renee Geniole. “Recent years have laid bare the deep inequities in our programs and structures that have long existed. R.O.C.K. is excited to continue to build on the work already being done by our team of diverse and amazing individuals, while making a significant impact in Chatham-Kent with a population who deserves as much support as everyone else.”
R.O.C.K. received a similar $710,000 grant from the Health Canada Substance Use and Addictions Program in 2023 to expand the Peer-2-Peer Program across the municipality. At that time, R.O.C.K. noted smaller communities in Chatham-Kent didn't have the proper clinical settings to access harm reduction support.
“I’m proud to see the Ontario Trillium Foundation investing in the important and compassionate work of R.O.C.K. Missions. This $600,000 Grow grant will help strengthen the outreach and support services they provide to individuals experiencing homelessness in our community,” said Chatham-Kent-Leamington MPP Trevor Jones. “By fostering meaningful connections, promoting dignity, and building a deeper sense of belonging, R.O.C.K. Missions is making a lasting difference in the lives of our most vulnerable residents. I look forward to seeing the positive impact this funding will have over the next three years.”
R.O.C.K. noted the goal is to apply "on-the-ground, root-cause solutions" that are developed by People With Lived/Living Expertise and supported by professionals.