Photo Karen Graham.
Angela Weinczok of Peterborough Social Services is one of the resource staff providing support on a drop-in basis to those looking for help in navigating the network of services available to residents including Healthcare, employment support, housing, mental health and addiction services and seniors services.
Peterborough County is operating a pilot program to bring social services to rural communities throughout Peterborough County.
Offices are located in rural centres to make it easier for residents outside the City of Peterborough to access health, social, cultural, recreational and other resources they need together in one spot in their own communities.
One of these hubs operates in the Old Millbrook School on Tuesdays from 10 am to 4:30 pm. During this time there is a representative on site from one of three agencies: Peterborough Social Services, Fleming CREW Employment services and the Canadian Mental Health Association. All are ready to help residents sort through the maze of programs and services provided from a host of sources in the County.
These individuals operate in a private office above the library in Millbrook. Visitors are welcome to drop in and check in with Library staff who will direct them to the Hub Office on the second floor. While the representatives may not have the answer to a specific question, they will provide a “warm hand-off” to the appropriate agency or service organization they believe can best address the concerns they hear. In other words, they will contact the agency and connect the client directly and not just give them a phone number or direct them to a website.
Agency representatives like Angela, pictured above, are knowledgeable, approachable and experienced in sorting through the complex issues and support systems available to help people find health care, prepare for employment, identify temporary and permanent financial support through programs like Ontario Works, help sort out landlord challenges and find resources to help those facing intellectual or developmental challenges. While they can’t help resident looking to jump the queue for specific support programs, they can make sure the resident is in the right one to get the answers they need. Angela believes that no door is the wrong one, and welcomes questions about any issues where residents feel ill-equipped to find the resources they need. KG