Our Program
We believe in and operate under a non-refusal policy for individuals in need of a transitional program and mental health support who are willing to actively participate in our programs and make positive change in their lives.
Our aim is to break the cycle of recidivism from homelessness, hospitalization to re-incarceration.
Our program design is a first phase living environment for individuals in need of support to restructure their lives in the community. Through our residential program, individuals will experience belonging, stability, dignity and build their confidence, self-worth, self-esteem, self-reliance, independence and a safe place to call “home”.
A first phase living environment provides an essential bridge between institutional release or homelessness to interdependence and permanent housing. A vital component for our program delivery utilizing a holistic client-centered approach are mental health counselors scheduled for day, evening and overnight shifts 7 days a week to provide a supportive structured environment. Individuals are encouraged to work towards their goals at their own pace within the range of their abilities to effectively address critical issues necessary to maintain permanent housing, gain self-sufficiency and accomplish a positive transition towards achieving and sustaining independent living. Our program promotes a welcoming environment, responsibility, understanding and cultural compliance.
Our Clients
Homeless marginalized individuals with mental health struggles many of whom are in conflict with the law in need of stability, structure and support in their lives, with the chance to begin to rebuild their support network.
All residents work towards achieving a common goal, to successfully move to living independently.
Our Counselling Support
Counseling support with residential counselors provides one-on-one counseling for outreach recipients to support their mental health needs, aid to maintain living in long term housing or to secure suitable permanent or temporary housing and work with individuals to help them achieve their life goals. In coordination with other community supports we strive to connect individuals to social networks in the community based on their evaluation and facilitate to pursue educational and vocational opportunities. Phone calls include but not limited to the following, hospital emergency rooms, mental health facilities, medical professionals, court dates, probation officers, family members, housing options, Ontario Works and Ontario Disability Support Program.
Outreach Program
Primary Supported through Second Harvest our outreach program distributes nutritional well balanced meals to the community. Our program offers breakfast, lunch, dinner and nutritional snacks and beverages are available throughout the day. Approximately 24-30 people in the community rely on our outreach meal program per day.
Our History & Mandate
The Dowling Community Service Residence is based on an extensive study and pilot project work from 1987 through to 1997 to identify and establish pre-conditions essential for the success and sustainability of our programs. Our pilot project work study has proven our transitional program to have a sound basis, organizational structure and program requirements to achieve success and long-term sustainability with our clients. On-site mental health counselors are imperative for program delivery, providing support and supervision for day, evening and overnight shifts. One-one counseling, monitoring progress reports and evaluation collected from daily report sheets per shift, goal sheets and involvement with community support programs to help established a responsible, healthy and sustainable future when recipients in our program transition to live independently. Our program facilitates to ensure a positive experience and follow through support for each of our residents transitioning into a long-term independent living environment. Our program aims for our residents to maintain self-sufficiency and permanent long term housing within six months to a year. Extensions are granted based on request and need for continued support.
Our Success
Our program is known to be “an important viable resource in the community for homeless individuals in need of mental health supports.” Our transitional program receives letters of approbation from current and prior residents, government officials, mental health providers, correctional support workers, social service agencies, community support workers and other supports in the community. Our team of mental health counselors work diligently with each resident to promote and maintain healthy lifestyle changes and responsibilities of independent living. We aspire for every individual in our program to obtain a vast scope of positive changes in their lives to help ensure a successful future living independently. Our goal is to facilitate the transition of 1-2 residents on average per month, transitional rates also largely depend on long term housing options and availability.