Second Hope, Housing and Health Symposium invites more conversation about safety in downtown Midland

Media Release

Second Hope, Housing and Health Symposium invites more conversation about safety, homelessness and substance use disorders in downtown Midland

For Immediate Release

(October 22, 2024, Midland ON) The Town of Midland and Midland Public Library invite the public to meet local social service providers and community organizations to take part in a supportive community conversation about the homelessness crisis facing Midland. This second, two-part symposium builds on the Hope, Housing and Health Symposium hosted with the County of Simcoe in October 2023. The community can attend one or both sessions conveniently located at the North Simcoe Sports and Recreation Centre on November 14, 2024.

“Midland is a community that cares. When we collaborate, we can create positive change,” said Mayor Bill Gordon. “The work is not done; we are building upon the resources prepared for our community at last year’s symposium to create momentum and continue the progress. The Town appreciates the community’s commitment to learning more about this crisis, how to approach difficult situations with compassion and empathy, and understanding that support is not one-size-fits-all.”

Afternoon session 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

The first hour of the session is an opportunity for social service providers to introduce their organizations, talk about the services they offer, and the challenges they face. The remainder of the session allows for community members to meet with providers individually to ask questions in a 1-1 format for additional perspectives and to gain an understanding of how the various services work together to help the community.

Evening session 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

This is an opportunity for community members to share insights, ask questions and hear from a panel of experts in the field. The first part of the session will include a presentation by the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit, followed by a town hall style open mic opportunity where attendees can engage in a Q & A with panelists.

For more information about these community sessions visit midland.ca/hopehousinghealth.