After spending two months interviewing service providers, people with 'lived experience' of homelessness and/or poverty in Frontenac County, and interested community members, Kim Allen was ready last Friday, May 6, for the key event of the project she was facilitating, a rural summit at St. James Church hall.

The summit came about when Louise Moody, the Executive Director of Northern Frontenac Community Services, with support from Southern Frontenac Community Services, secured a grant from the United Way to fund a rural summit. Kim Allen was hired to pull it together.

Participants included front-line social workers in Frontenac County; agency representatives; guests from other communities who have worked on the issues that arise from poverty and homelessness; township and county politicians, including three of the eight members of Frontenac County Council; and community activists who are itching to make a difference.

The meat of the gathering was what Allen described as a modified version of a World Cafe. Participants were seated at tables, and a question was posed for discussion at each of the tables. A note-keeper was appointed at each table. After a few minutes, everyone but the note-keeper stood up and moved to another table. Throughout the day participants moved from table to table and discussed their response to a series of questions.

The first question was general, asking why the topic was important to people and what they hoped the day would accomplish.

Before asking any further questions more detailed information was presented. After sharing the results of some of the research she has done, Allen introduced Tabitah Morton, who is the data analysis co-ordinator for the Ontario Early Years Centre. While Morton is tasked with collecting data about children under the age of six, a lot of the data she uses applies to the general population. She outlined the difference between the northern and southern parts of Frontenac County and Frontenac Islands, and talked about the metropolitan influence of Kingston and how it wanes the further north you go. Another presenter, Dierdre Pike, a Senior Social Planner, newspaper columnist and community engagement expert from Hamilton, talked about how other communities have come together to bring about social change. Pike, who might have been a stand-up comedian in another life, also lightened up the tone of the proceedings considerably.

The rest of the day was devoted to dealing with three further questions. One dealt with people's responses to the presentations, and a second sought ideas, or seeds, that can be used to find real solutions that will have an impact on the lives of people in Frontenac County. The third question, “What needs immediate attention going forward”, resulted in seven proposals for further action, which were then looked at by the group as a whole.

Participants came forward to put check marks beside proposals they supported. They wrote their names beside proposals they not only support but are willing to work on, and they circled their name if they are willing to take the lead pushing a proposal forward.

The results will all be gathered in a final report, to be released in June.

On the day, four of the proposals drew high levels of support. One of them was to look at a model that has been put into practice in Haliburton County. A group has renovated abandoned properties as interim places to live for people who need them. With support, rent had been paid for these properties, allowing the group to expand the stock of temporary housing over time.

Another proposal was to build a small, off-grid house using inexpensive materials and volunteer labour. Using a design put forward by Geoffrey Murray from Granite Ridge Education Centre, the small house could be built for $50,000 in his estimation, and would be suitable for youth trying to establish themselves in Frontenac County.

A third idea that was popular was more process- oriented. It talked about a group of people getting together to form a sort of pressure group to make sure that Northern and Southern Frontenac Community Services, the local township councils, and Frontenac County address the issues raised at the summit on an ongoing basis.

It falls to Frontenac County Council to ensure that the Frontenac County initiative receives its share of attention, and funding from the City of Kingston, which has received provincial funding to work on a ten-year housing and homelessness plan for itself and Frontenac County.

In recognition of Community Living Month and this year's Shine a Light on Community Living campaign, Toronto's CN tower was lit up last night, May 11, in the blue and green Community Living colours. Today (May 12) delegations from Community Living (CL) associations from Toronto and around Ontario are converging on Queen's Park to talk to politicians about inclusiveness for people with intellectual disabilities at all levels of Ontario society.

“Member associations from across Ontario will also be participating in the Shine a Light on Community Living campaign, by having their buildings illuminated in blue and green and encouraging partners in their respective communities to do the same. When homes, businesses and municipal buildings brightly display the Community Living colours on May 11, a powerful message of inclusion will shine throughout the province,” said Chris Beesly, the executive director of CL-Ontario in announcing the campaign last month.

Banners marking the event went up earlier this month at the offices of CL-North Frontenac in Sharbot Lake. A delegation of six, including employees and some of the people who receive services from the agency are participating in the day at the legislature in Toronto.

Dean Walsh, executive director of CL-North Frontenac, said the Shine the Light Campaign is important for his agency.

“Community Living is more than our name; it is the concept of all of us, the entire community, living together and supporting each other. We have been holding events, such as our Mother's Day brunch last weekend and our Spaghetti Dinner on May 19 for the entire community to enjoy,” he said. [See ad on page 16 and Northern Happenings for details]

One service that CL-North Frontenac supports that exemplifies that relationship is the Treasure Trunk store in Sharbot Lake.

“We provide administrative and financial support for the Treasure Trunk, and the volunteers do the rest. They raise money for the entire community as well,” said Walsh.

While the Treasure Trunk provides work placements for people served by Community Living, it also has its own, independent profile in the larger community.

This is a special year for Community-Living North Frontenac, its 40^th anniversary.

“We can truly say that the organisation has stayed true to its goal of providing individuals opportunities for empowerment, decision making and quality of life,” said Walsh.

Other events scheduled for Community Living Month include a baseball game at the Sharbot Lake ball field between CL-Napanee and CL-North Frontenac on May 27. The month ends on May 31 with the annual Back Yard Barbeque at the Community Living office.

Land O’ Lakes Community Services will be holding ”Living Well with Diabetes” workshops. The workshops will help participants learn skills and strategies to help manage diabetes. You will gain confidence, develop self-management skills to actively achieve your best health and wellness. You will learn how to deal with difficult emotions, stress management, and relaxations techniques. We will learn how to eat healthy, exercise appropriately, prevent complications and low blood sugar. This workshop is open to anyone living with type 2 diabetes or pre-diabetes as well as their caregivers and family members. This workshop is FREE, and will be held once a week for 6 weeks, starting Wednesday May 18, 1:30-4pm at the Land O’ Lakes Community Services Board Room, 12497A Highway 41 Northbrook Ontario. Register today; space is limited; 613-336-8934 ext. 229; 1-877-679-6636 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Pathways for Children & Youth is pleased to add something new to our menu of treatment options. Starting May 11, 2016. We are offering walk-in single-session counselling. There is no referral process, no waiting for a scheduled appointment, and no fee. Just walk-in to our Mill Street location in Sydenham, at 4365 Mill St., 1 to 4p.m., Appointments start at 1 p.m. with the last appointment being 3 p.m.

A single session offered in a timely fashion to individuals and families ready to work towards a solution to a problem or concern is all many people require to decrease stress and get things moving in the right direction.

Children, youth (under 18), parents and families can use this service. The Walk-in clinics will be held every second Wednesday from 1 to 4 p.m. (last appointment at 3 p.m.)

You can expect an hour-long conversation with a Pathways counselor, which focuses on a child or youth’s behavioural, emotional, or other mental health concern and a solution focused plan.

For more information visit www.pathwayschildrenyouth.org; email Pathways intake at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or phone 613-546-1422 ext. 1

Northern Frontenac Community Services thanked over 100 of its volunteers at an annual dinner at St. James Catholic Church hall in Sharbot Lake on Monday night, April 11.

After everyone had enjoyed a dinner of chicken breast, peas and new potatoes, followed by cake, it was time for the main event, the announcement of the winner of the Volunteer of the Year award. When Gail Young, the co-ordinator of Frontenac Transportation Services (FTS), came to the microphone at the front of the hall, it was a tip the audience that the winner this year would be one of the FTS drivers, who collectively drove over 600,000 kilometres this past year.

Marion Barker is a dedicated driver who has been with FTS for many years and makes herself available Monday to Friday each week.

“About two years ago she tried to take Fridays off, but so many clients ask for her by name and she can't say no to them,” said Gail Young.

Young also said that Marion Barker is able to juggle different ongoing trips at one time.

“She brings client A to one location, and instead of, waiting, collects client B and brings them where they have to go; then heads back to bring client A home before returning to pick up client B. She has as many as four clients on the go at one time like that. I only knew how complicated it all was when she got sick one day and I had to replace her. The new driver just looked at the paperwork and shook their head,” said Young.

For her part, Marion Barker said she enjoys the atmosphere at FTS and NFCS.

After the award ceremony, the father and son duo of Gilbert and Justin Riddell played together in public for the first time. They played a selection of their favorite Waylon Jennings and George Jones tunes, to the delight of all the “outlaw country” fans in the room. They also marked the death of Merle Haggard this past weekend by performing a number of songs from his extensive catalogue.

Gib plays often with the Old Habits, but hopefully the Gib and Justin show will return sometime soon. Their harmonies are too good to be heard only in the Riddell family kitchen.

Northern Frontenac Community Services (NFCS) is leading a community process to respond to issues of poverty and homelessness.

NFCS has received a grant from the United Way to respond to the issues in Frontenac County with support from Southern Frontenac Community Services (SFCS).

“One of the strategic directives of the City of Kingston's 10-year plan to eliminate homelessness is to develop a rural homelessness strategy and that is what motivated our agency to take on this initiative,” said Louise Moody, executive director of NFCS.

The rural strategy addresses the following goals in rural areas: expand housing options for low-income and homeless individuals; improve access to services; enhance targeted prevention; and promote local leadership in “ending homelessness” (i.e. putting an effective system in place to make the absence of housing short-term and rare, and eliminate long-term or repeated episodes of homelessness).

There are four levels of homelessness as defined by the Canadian Homelessness Research Network, and in Frontenac County the focus has been on level 3: provisionally accommodated; and level 4: at risk of homelessness.

“We have used the United Way funding to engage Kim Allen as a consultant to meet with community leaders, with people who have experienced poverty and homelessness/housing security issues, and service providers in the various communities of Frontenac County,” said Moody.

“Getting to meet people from throughout the county who are facing or have faced these issues, people who work in this area, and others who are interested in making a difference on a community level is key to ensuring that we can truly address these deep and complex issues,” said Kim Allen.

After two months of collecting information about rural poverty and housing security, NFCS is convening an all-day summit in Sharbot Lake on May 6. During the summit, participants will discuss the findings of the community consultations, explore the issues of rural poverty, identify assets in the community and develop new strategies to deal with the issues.

“We will employ a world cafe style process on May 6. The goal will be to access the collective wisdom, encourage intentional conversations, invite diverse contributions to the discussion and foster a sense of commitment to the necessary actions that will be identified at the summit,” said Allen.

A minimum of three strategies will be identified for the community to address/prevent homelessness as well as to help inform the City of Kingston's Homelessness strategy for Frontenac County and the United Way's Youth Homelessness strategy.

The geographic and economic diversity in Frontenac County will likely result in different initiatives being taken on in different communities within the County.

A further hope of the organizers is that by getting people who are committed to addressing these issues they will take it upon themselves to act collectively in the future, within and between the community of communities that is Frontenac County.

If you are interested in learning more about this community initiative or the summit, please contact Kim Allen at 613-583-4569 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Two six-week series of free self-management workshops on Living Well with Chronic Disease and Chronic Pain are coming up in our area. The workshops will help you gain information and new skills to better manage Chronic Pain, keep active and live healthier. You will learn how to deal with emotional, physical and social aspects of living with chronic pain. This workshop helps people who have a wide range of chronic pain conditions such as musculoskeletal pain, fibromyalgia, repetitive strain injury, post stroke, neuropathic pain and other chronic conditions.

These workshops are open to anyone living with chronic pain, their family members and caregivers. You will receive a free copy of the book “Living a Healthy Life with Chronic Conditions and Chronic Pain”.

DENBIGH, Mondays, April 18 - May 23: Land O’ Lakes Community Services is holding “Living well with Chronic Pain” workshops from April 18 to May 23, 1:30-4pm at the Denbigh Hall, 222 Highway 28 Denbigh Ontario. For more information and to register, call Pam @ 613-336-8934 ext 229; 1-877-679-6636, or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Registration is limited.

VERONA, Wednesdays April 20 - May 25: Workshops will be held at the Verona Medical Clinic, 1:30-4pm, to provide help for those living with arthritis, heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, depression, lung disease, diabetes, and other diseases. To register please call Meredith Prikker 613-376-3327 at the Sydenham Clinic or Annie Campbell 613-374-3311 at the Verona Clinic.

By popular demand, on Saturday, April 23 at 7:30 pm, the Grace Centre in Sydenham will present the return of “Sheesham, Lotus and 'Son: The New Kings of Old Time”, with Sheesham Crow, Lotus Wight and 'Son Sanderson. They are committed to the preservation of music and tradition of the past. The core of the show is a repertoire based on their love of the American fiddle tune, joyously played, not only with fiddle, but also with jaw-harps, banjos, and homemade instruments like the contrabass harmoni-phonium. Ragtime and blues never sounded so good. Their performance last year was sold out and very enthusiastically received. There was lots of toe-tapping and big smiles all round at the astounding musicianship and antics. The concert is a fundraiser for Southern Frontenac Community Services. Tickets are only $12 in advance and $15 at the door. No cost for children 10 and under. Tickets can be purchased at: Gilmour's in Harrowsmith; the SFCSC office at 4419 George Street; the One Stop in Sydenham; Ormsbee's Mercantile in Sunbury

I chose the above words to appear on my ski wear as I participated in the annual international 51 km x-country ski competition in the Gatineau Hills on Feb 27 in order to raise money for SFCSC Food Bank Healthy Snacks Program.

Thank you service clubs, church groups, restaurants, Southern Frontenac Community Services staff, fellow volunteers, board members, and old and young friends. Together through our sponsorships, we raised $2770 for the program, which will now be able to continue this year.

The weather and conditions were kind to this old 75-year-old this year. For 15 years I have had a special chosen place on the course where I pause to admire a breath-taking vista. Always the question occurs to me “Why me”? There have been years when tears froze on my face during my reflection. I have been blessed with a kind aging process and good health. “Please allow me to come back to this special place one more time”.

I was motivated to use my ski adventure as a fundraiser for the SFCSC food bank partly because of a community need, and partly because of some disturbing statistics for the year 2015 published by Canada Food banks, and the Ontario Association of Food banks:

• 850,000 people accessed food banks monthly in Canada.

• 360,000 people accessed food banks monthly in Ontario.
• One third of the above numbers were children.
• One in three jobs in Ontario are full time. The remainder are part time or contract, with little or no benefits, and less wages.

The above are just some of the disturbing stats. Unaffordable housing, and the rising food prices are contributing factors to the prediction that over a million people will have to access food banks in this year of 2016…in Canada.

Our children are Canada’s most important natural resource; each child is unique. Each may see our world differently. Each may be innovative accordingly. To preserve that innovation, we need to continue to insure that each child reaches their maximum potential in the growing years. This means all children should have proper nutrition. Dreams are the foundation of reality. No child should be deprived of the right to dream.

Thank you again to supporters of SFCSC Food Bank Healthy Snacks Program fundraiser.  

Stitches for Syrians was created in advance of the anticipated arrival of more than 2,000 Syrians in the region. The intent was to galvanize people who knit, crochet or sew, and to provide an avenue to streamline the donation of homemade products to Kingston Immigration Partnership and the Kingston Military Family Resource Centre.

The generous response of the community to these newest residents has been astonishing, in quantity, quality and range of people and places. Over 1,110 hand-made items, many including small personal notes of welcome, have been received, sorted and bagged.

Local church, student and seniors groups have responded. A six year old learned to knit (first for her doll) because her teenaged sister made her first hat to donate, and encouraged her friends to create also.

When knitters from Centreville and Yarker areas got involved, they started a Facebook site to encourage others. Aberdeen’s Wool Company in Lindsay and Knitaway seniors group in that community created and delivered many items. Several drop-off locations were organized in Napanee, Bath, The Wool Shed at Topsy Farms, Kingston’s Knit Traders, and The Minotaur.

Stitches for Syrians not only gained momentum regionally, but in the United States as well. Three groups from Arizona have already donated many boxes of hand-stitched items, including hand-quilted afghans, shipped at significant cost to themselves. In addition, a knitting group in Sunnyside, New York has mailed warm products.

Some of the privately sponsored Syrian families have arrived. The first five families received all help requested - over 127 items from our cosy stash. More will come and receive all they need. The first government sponsored families are going to Canadian communities with immigration centres, so Kingston is not yet certain of the timing or numbers that will arrive.

When they do, we’ll be ready with a warm welcome.

For more information, please contact Sally Bowen at Topsy Farms at 613-389-3444 or send a message to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.