Pembroke – It seems the agency that is doing the most to assist the homeless and vulnerable in Pembroke is also the target of much criticism, but despite that the board of directors operating The Grind Pembroke says it remains committed to working collaboratively with neighbours and other stakeholders regarding the safety of its operations.

“We are committed to ongoing discussion and dialogue and we are always open to suggestions and input from our neighbours,” said Board Chair and Executive Director Jerry Novack. “However, our agency also remains committed to working with multiple health and social service partners as part of a dedicated commitment to help Renfrew County’s most vulnerable members.”

As Pembroke’s homeless population continues to grow and incidents of drug abuse and overdoses occur frequently, The Grind does what it can to help within the mandate and resource base that constrains it. At its Victoria Street location, food is served to the vulnerable Tuesday to Friday, with access to washroom facilities, showers and laundry facilities. Clients are also connected with social and counselling services.

Prior to the founding of The Grind, none of these services were available in a coordinated fashion, but now the agency serves as a triage and referral service, guiding people in need to agencies that provide life-saving services. It also serves as a hub for social services and health agencies to directly reach out to those in need.

At a media conference in Pembroke last Thursday, Mr. Novack said residents in Pembroke and across Renfrew County have been shocked by the explosion of drug abuse in their cities, towns and villages.

“The primary driver behind this crisis is fentanyl,” he said. “According to the government of Canada, 82 percent of the overdose deaths in Canada during 2023 involved fentanyl.”
He said people are also alarmed at the growing problem of homelessness and it’s not an exaggeration to say that without an agency like The Grind advocating for and helping these individuals, more lives would be lost.

Mr. Novack said The Grind has strict guidelines, procedures and protocols regarding the behaviour of those it serves.

“Those who violate those guidelines are banned from the premises,” he explained. “However, we cannot be responsible for actions and behaviours in the community that are simply beyond our control.

“To think that an agency like ours can somehow police the behaviours of anyone outside our doors is completely unrealistic.”

He said anyone witnessing criminal activity or other issues should contact the Ontario Provincial Police or Pembroke’s by-law department.

“The Grind is not a police force, although it works extensively and exhaustively to educate those we serve on the importance of courtesy and respect both within our agency and in the community,” Mr. Novack continued.

Town Hall Meeting Sparked Response

City Councillor Ian Kuehl recently hosted a “town hall” meeting near The Grind at which many people living in the neighbourhood aired their grievances and shared disturbing stories of drug use, fighting, pet abduction, defecation on private property and abuse issues.

Mr. Novack said no one from The Grind was invited to attend the meeting so there wasn’t an opportunity to clarify some of the criticisms, adding many of them were false.

There was also information on social media The Grind is interested in purchasing the building it is located in (the old fire hall) but Mr. Novack added while there has been correspondence with the city, it remains confidential. Based on rumours, a petition was started asking the city not to sell to The Grind.

“The details of our lease and what the next steps are, are confidential,” he said. “For me to say, yes we want to do this or maybe not do this, I don’t think that would be fair to the board. I am hoping we can work with the city. We haven’t had those conversations yet.”

One of the problems with the town hall meeting hosted by Coun. Kuehl is that many people believe it was a city-sanctioned meeting, but it was not. However, no one from the city or council has yet to issue a statement saying otherwise.

Mr. Novack said The Grind wants to work with its neighbours. He said their door is open and neighbours have been invited in to have some open dialogue.

“We are open to talking about how we can make things better in the community and I think there are always ways to improve,” he said. “I don’t think the community really understands the steps we have taken to make this a better place and a safer place.

“I think what is kind of disconcerting is when the focus is here. We run from Tuesday to Friday with a lunch program in addition to what the agencies do,” he said. “And then you look at what St. Vincent de Paul does, they do the same thing Saturday, Sunday and Monday. They are only a couple of blocks down the road and there is no issue with the same clientele having lunch there.

“So just putting some of that in perspective of where the focus and why it’s here … I don’t think it’s fair to make comments about the operation without the facts.”

Drug Problem Worsening

Grind board member Rev. John Vaudry said when he read reports from Coun. Kuehl’s town hall meeting, he said it’s the drug problem that has gotten worse in the last several months.

“When I read the article I thought a lot of this is not really talking about The Grind, it’s talking about the drug situation,” he said. “Some of the things that allegedly happened, some of them don’t sound too nice; they are happening in the evening or one o’clock in the morning. They are not happening from 10 until 2 when we are open.”

Mr. Novack said the importance of The Grind is identified in a community wellness report.

“If you read that I think you will realize how important this organization is to the community to support the homeless population,” he said. “I think that speaks volumes to the importance. Personally, I would hate to see something happen that we can’t continue to do what we do here every day.”

On a recent day, 73 people were served lunch and Mr. Novack said the numbers are increasing. The age ranges from 16 to 82.

“There is such a need in the community besides just the focus on addiction.”

Problems created by some of the homeless and addicts is not the responsibility of The Grind, but rather the city. Complaints of finding used needles in the neighbourhoods close to the downtown as well individuals defecating on private property and overdosing is a matter for the city and police to deal with. Mr. Novack has suggested the city have a rapid response team to deal with such complaints but said it isn’t something The Grind is responsible for.

“We hear all these complaints but what is the city doing to deal with that”? he asked. “I think that’s the frustration with just what happened a few weeks ago (town hall meeting). They said a lot of things that were really hurtful and not true and we never had a chance to provide information to correct some of those accusations.”

Mr. Novack said The Grind is part of the solution, but not the cause of the problem.

“We are not creating the issue. It’s here,” he said.

The recent wellness plan identified the importance of The Grind and its services, but the recent town hall meeting was a slap in the face, he said.

“If they are talking that we are important and we are needed, then at least meet with us and say, ‘here are the concerns of the community’.”

He said instead of The Grind being criticized for undertaking a role, the city and Renfrew County should be asked what their strategy is moving forward, especially now that the warming centre which operated during the winter months closed in April. It served 101 clients this past winter.

Goal To Ensure Safety and Security of Clients

Rev. Dave Henderson said The Grind is committed to a holistic approach and its over-arching goal is the safety and health of all the residents, especially the vulnerable.

“And any agency, any government organization, any non-government organization who shares our commitment is going to be welcome at our table and we’ll all work together for a holistic solution,” he said. “That’s our key goal … to ensure the safety and security of all of our residents.”

Deacon Adrien Chaput said the organization knows there is a serious problem in the city, but they just want to keep people safe and at the same time help them.

“We don’t want to lose anybody else, believe me,” he said. “They’re part of our family. I just can’t say that enough.”

He said the board wants to move forward to ensure it can take good care of everyone, to be respectful of the neighbours and their concerns and address the issue and bring the truth to light of the things that are happening in the community.

“The beautiful part is if they would come in and see what we do everyday and see how we’re here to take good care of everyone and see the other agencies and the partnerships that are here, to see that we are all working together for the same goal,” he said. “It’s not about The Grind, it’s about all of us working together. We happen to be the hub where everyone comes and why does everyone come here? Because they feel welcomed. They say it is a place of love, care and compassion and safety. It’s hope.”

Deacon Chaput said it is difficult for people who are going through issues in life and they don’t know who to turn to.

“We can be that ear and be able to listen and be able to help navigate,” he said.

It was also pointed out by board members that without the existence of The Grind, there would be no place for the homeless and addicts to have access to food, showers, washrooms, hygiene products and the many services provided by other agencies including Mental Health Services offered by Pembroke Regional Hospital, the Ontario Disability Support Program, Ontario Works, the Renfrew County Paramedic Service, MESA street teams, The Women’s Sexual Assault Centre and Victim Services of Renfrew County.