Autonhomme Pontiac, which is now able to provide temporary accommodation to Pontiac men experiencing problems at home or those suffering from controlled addictions or mental illnesses, among other things, invited the public to tour their facility and ask questions about the services they offer, June 27 (read more page 3).
Autonhomme Pontiac, which is now able to provide temporary accommodation to Pontiac men experiencing problems at home or those suffering from controlled addictions or mental illnesses, among other things, invited the public to tour their facility and ask questions about the services they offer, June 27 (read more page 3).
Although none of the 20 plus people who attended the meeting could deny that the service is much needed and essential, the majority of the crowd was against having the men lodged at the facility, which is located in the centre of Campbell’s Bay. Fears and anger were fuelled by the fact that the first, and currently the only, resident was caught stealing from a car parked outside a neighbouring home in broad daylight.
Although some of the fears were understandable, the backlash Autonhomme received for offering the last-resort accommodation service was excessive. Yes, the public, including the municipal council, should have been consulted prior to implementing the service. Yes, appropriate measures (criminal record and background checks, curfews, zero tolerance for drugs and alcohol, limitations on
leaving the grounds, etc.) do need to be put in place as added safety measures. However, those using the services should not be
treated, or be made to feel like, criminals. Why? Simply because the majority of them are not.
They don’t need to be housed in secluded areas with high fences and be watched 24 hours a day by ‘guards’ like some of the people at the meeting actually suggested. Those seeking services are often everyday men who are reaching out for help to overcome rough patches they have encountered; they are already often labelled and stigmatized by society. It’s no wonder so many people suffering from depression and mental illness do so in silence!
Would the backlash be the same if this were a shelter for women, like L’Entourelle in Fort-Coulonge which provides support and lodging for women experiencing violence or other difficulties? L’Entourelle, thankfully, has experienced outstanding community support for years.
Social exclusion, isolation, and ‘us versus them’ attitudes coupled with stigmatization and criminalization do nothing to address the issues these men face; they fuel the fire of societal rejection, and are often some of the underlying causes of certain mental and social problems, allowing those problems to continue. These reactions are much more damaging and will likely pose more danger to the community than the overwhelming majority of those who will be temporarily staying at Autonhomme.
Let’s not judge a book by its first chapter, nor by the shelf where it temporarily resides!
