HomeMy WebLinkAboutSafe & Healthy - 2003-09-09SAFE AND HEALTHY COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES SEPTEMBER 9, 2003 CITY OF KITCHENER The Safe and Healthy Community Advisory Committee met this date, commencing at 4:10 p.m., Chaired by Mr. D. Schnarr, with the following members present: Ms. S. Fohring and Messrs. P. Doherty, K. Chalk, J. Vickery, A. Bender and D. Hoch. Ms. S. Gow was in attendance representing the Social Planning Council. Others Present: Ms. L. Korabo. This meeting of the Safe and Healthy Community Advisory Committee was conducted without a quorum present. 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES On motion by Mr. P. Doherty - it was resolved: "That the minutes of August 12, 2003, as mailed to the members, be accepted." 2. UPDATE - SEX TRADE WORKER COMMITTEE Superintendent K. Chalk, Waterloo Regional Police, provided a summary of background information regarding the establishment of the Sex Trade Worker Committee and its relationship to a report entitled "Between a Rock and a Hard Place". He noted that the Committee has been in existence for approximately two years but has not been very active due to a lack of funds and time. Recently, new funding was applied for and approved, a hiring competition for an outreach worker held, interviews conducted, and Heidy Choi was hired effective April, 2003. Ms. H. Choi, Project Co-©rdinator, "Between a Rock and a Hard Place", attended to provide an overview of her activities as they relate to making contact with street level sex trade workers. She indicated she has been in contact with many community resources and agencies and researching various ways to conduct her efforts to stop the cycle of prostitution and crack cocaine addiction faced by sex trade workers. Her initial goal is to increase the profile of the outreach program and herself with the sex trade workers, using the assistance of Waterloo Regional Police during street visitations. Ms. Choi commented that her outreach has been conducted at various times of the day and she feels good progress is being made as she has been in contact with 21 of the approximately 30 street workers. During her contact she provides supplies, such as water, bus tickets and granola bars, and offers her services to those who wish to talk. She noted that three workers have contacted her and are actively seeking support such as drug treatment and legal aid. Mr. D. Hoch entered the meeting. Ms. Choi advised that she and other members of the local Committee visited a similar organization in Vancouver, British Columbia, called PACE (Prostitution Alternative Counselling Education). This organization was established 10 years ago, is peer driven and provides educational opportunities and peer support to sex trade workers. The organization operates at a store-front location and runs a staffed drop-in-centre providing resource assistance as part of their outreach component. She noted that PACE had approached the local Sex Trade Worker Committee regarding a possible partnership to learn from a smaller organization. Ms. Choi commented that the local group is also learning much from working with the larger Vancouver organization. After several questions by members of the Committee regarding the current activities, Ms. Choi noted that applications have been made for a second phase of funding which would provide a training manual for peer support and assistance with addictions to crack cocaine. In closing, Superintendent K. Chalk advised that Ms. Choi will liase with the outreach worker hired by the Kitchener Downtown Business Association in order to ensure that no duplication of efforts is undertaken. He further suggested that a possible joint presentation could be made in the future to this Committee. Ms. H. Choi left the meeting. SAFE AND HEALTHY COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES SEPTEMBER 9, 2003 - 23 - CITY OF KITCHENER UPDATE - SEX TRADE WORKER COMMITTEE (CONT'D) K. Chalk stated that the Waterloo Regional Police's involvement with the Sex Trade Workers Committee can be expanded due to the introduction of Bill C-24 which provides greater flexibility and protection for undercover officers working to charge those soliciting the services of sex trade workers. COMMITTEE WORK PLAN 2002 - 2003 Mr. D. Schnarr reminded members that at the Committee's last meeting, a request was made that two of the sub-groups formed as part of the Work Plan meet and report at today's meeting. It was noted that the Social Isolation in Vulnerable Communities Working Group was unable to meet due to illness and will be rescheduled. There was no report from any other sub-committee. HYDRO BLACKOUT - KITCHENER MEMORIAL AUDITORIUM COMPLEX Ms. D. Schnarr advised the item relating to the hydro blackout and its effects on the Auditorium Complex had been deleted from the agenda. DOWNTOWN ADVISORY COMMITTEE REPRESENTATIVE REPORT Mr. D. Hoch advised that the August meeting of the Downtown Advisory Committee had been cancelled due to the hydro blackout and therefore he had no report to make at this time. NEW BUSINESS It was noted that the Kitchener Downtown Business Association will be holding a barbeque on September 10th from 4:30 to 7:00 p.m. at the corner of Queen and Charles Streets. The Committee Administrator advised of information concerning the Finale of the Annual Festival of Neighbourhoods Celebration noting that the event will be held on Sunday, October 5, 2003 from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. in the City Hall Rotunda. It will be a celebration of the 10th anniversary of the Festival providing a retrospective of past events. It was also noted that invitations will be circulated to members in the near future. Superintendent K. Chalk advised that he was unable to attend the next several meetings and advised that an alternate representative of Waterloo Regional Police Services would attend. INFORMATION ITEMS The Committee was in receipt of the following information items: · Safe City Co-Ordinator's Report · Unfinished Business List ADJOURNMENT On motion the meeting adjourned at 5:00 p.m. Linda Korabo Committee Administrator