This evaluation of Sault Ste. Marie’s homelessness initiatives was designed and executed with the goal of bettering the services provided to community members under precarious living conditions. A continuum of care model was used to identify gaps in the delivery of community services to address both crisis and long-term needs of homeless individuals. Recommendations included consistent data collection that reflects service goals and objectives; the establishment of a street-level service outreach; the expansion of the Mobile Support Worker program; the development of more affordable housing; and permanent, ongoing funding to homeless shelters, amongst others. This research provided a glimpse of the strong network of agencies within the City of Sault Ste. Marie which provide support to the homeless population.
Meghan Boston, Dr. Gayle Broad
2006
Debwewin, the eastern Ojibway Anishinaabe word for ‘truth’ or ‘to speak from the heart’, captures the essence behind this research that explores racism in the Northern Ontario cities of North Bay, Sault Ste. Marie and Timmins. Questionnaires and interviews were compiled in the three cities, showing the need for more proactive efforts to counter racism and to increase public education on the topic.
Don Curry
2005
The link between culture and the development of healthy, resilient communities is gathering strength in Northern Ontario. This research brought forward a new framework for approaching economic development that places a healthy culture, one that provides a supportive environment for people and their expressions of creativity, at the forefront of a vibrant and economically sound community. By assessing the socio-economic impact of the arts on the economy of Sault Ste. Marie, this study identified local strengths that can bolster the economy. These include community ownership and commitment, increasing economic activities and efficiencies around industry clusters and building on the existing arts economy. The findings point to the potential for increased economic activity where a greater understanding and strategic development planning process is generated. This would give the city a competitive advantage in attracting new business, retaining skilled labour and investment and providing wide-spread community benefits.
Jude Ortiz, Dr. Gayle Broad
2005 – 2007
This research evaluated the impact of the Community Corner in Sault Ste. Marie, a family preservation model designed to provide community-based family support programs for at-risk families. NORDIK carried out interviews and focused groups to compile information on user’s and stakeholders’ experiences of this service. These, in addition to a comprehensive literature review, brought forward a better understanding of the strengths, gaps and opportunities for further development for the program. The result of this research makes possible the application of this community partnership model to other neighbourhoods and rural areas. This work also facilitated the development of relationships between service providers, bringing forward opportunities to engage new skills and/or increase their capacities.
Meghan Boston, Dr. Gayle Broad
2007