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Support Services of Fort Erie Network: The Key is Information-Sharing

Christine Whelan, FEO, August 1, 2024, VOL. 5 ISSUE 24 

Sitting around a collaborative table, sharing information, addressing the gap between the increase in community need and the existing service system, is what this group of skillful and caring people have been doing behind the everyday scenes.

Chandra Hardeen, Director of Community Investment, for the United Way, describes the network. “Support Services of Fort Erie Network is a group that consists of over 40 organizations that either exist in or serve Fort Erie. It’s primarily frontline workers and some Executive Directors. They get together and talk about issues that are affecting the community and the clients that they are seeing.

“It’s not a clinical table, so they’re not talking about case management. They are talking about issues that are coming up. They try to find and address gaps in service because, at the table, there are a lot of different services represented.”

They discuss issues that are important in the community, what’s on the rise, and what needs to be addressed collaboratively. “So that they can become more than the sum or their parts, and work together.”

Chandra explained that when someone is in need, they often are in need of more services than one. “It’s a person-centered approach. It’s wrapped around a person’s specific needs.”

Services include mental health care, food and meal programs, Salvation Army, youth services and Niagara Regional Public Health. Hardeen says the participation is fluid with the existence of a core group.

A few examples of situations that have emerged recently as a result of the work of the group include: 

  • Bridges Health Care Centre identified that very recently they were open to receiving new clients. All the agencies passed that on to those they serve who did not have a doctor. Pamphlets to help communicate that were provided to the service providers at a previous meeting.
  • Service providers such as Senior Services, Bridges Community Health Centre, Brain Injury Association of Fort Erie, and soon Community Services will now send workers once a month to the community hall – for easier connection and on-the-spot navigation.
  • Public Health provides updates related to services and assets and any emerging changes that might affect those around the table.
  • Social Opportunities – Educational programs are shared. For example, Advancing Crystal Beach highlights what is available to keep seniors and others to stay active, connected and social through their many planned activities.

Responding to the Growing Need: Going with the Flow

“The needs of our vulnerable communities are escalating rapidly. And with Fort Erie being such a strong, unified community and a little bit on its own, from a location standpoint, they have to band together.”

With this increase, the network has been stepping up. “They’re the leader in the region. They’ve done work that other municipalities are looking to replicate.”

Chandra commented, “One of the things I like about the network is that it’s adaptive. It’s fluid and it can respond in ways that are appropriate for the moment. There has been great success shown using that approach, rather than having a rigid one. They are responsive, and I think that’s a good example that they set for the rest of the region.”

When looking into the future, Chandra suggested, “I think they will continue to do what they are doing. In this time of expanded need in our community, will look at the existing system in place and improve it where possible. We have to work differently because we have the same resources and more demands.”

The key is to take a current system, with its existing resources and skills, and utilize it differently and more collaboratively, according to Hardeen.

Another key, she noted, is sharing information to expand the reach further in particular areas. “When information goes unknown to certain agencies or people, nothing happens. We feel the appropriate sharing of key information can improve outcomes for a population.

Invitation and Connection

The network welcomes any groups and organizations not currently involved and is interested in becoming involved.

“People who are community-minded, whether new to the community or have been around for generations, and just want more information, can reach out any time. Certainly, to the United Way because we are like a conduit. We don’t provide services but are a go-between, and we are always happy to make connections because that’s what ultimately can help people get ahead.

“The more talented and caring people around the table, the better we will be.”

Chandra would like to express her gratitude to this group. “They have been leaders and they have led by example, showing this real depth of caring and desire to help the people that we are here to help. I admire it so much.”

The Network Meets Four Times a Year.

“They talk about the state of the municipality, the state of social services, share events and support one another.” A goal is to further strengthen inter-agency relationships. Speakers come in to expand even further, the range of information brought to the table.

To contact Chandra for more information or with any questions, you can email her at: chandra@unitedwayniagara.org

There are no upcoming events at this time.