Welcoming Streets

creating a brighter downtown community

The award winning Welcoming Streets Program is designed to support DBIA business and vulnerable individuals simultaneously by addressing business concerns and providing direct systems navigation support.

Meet our Welcoming Streets Team!

Sara Behring (She/Her)

Community Outreach Director – Welcoming Streets

Monday-Friday 8:30am-4:30pm

[email protected]

Dallis Hodgson (He/Him)

Welcoming Streets Team Lead & Steward

Monday to Friday 9 am-4:30 pm

343-645-6382

[email protected]

Aries Timleck (He/Him)

Welcoming Streets Steward

Monday & Tuesday 3:30pm-7:00pm

343-645-6382

[email protected]

Michael Ramsay (They/Them)

Welcoming Streets Steward

Tuesday – Friday 11:30am-7:00pm

Saturday 10:00am-5:30pm

343-645-6382

[email protected]

Through direct, proactive outreach, Welcoming Streets assists with the following:

Reducing unnecessary calls to local police department
Enhancing community safety
Referrals to local housing and mental health/substance use supports
Fostering positive therapeutic relationships by promoting empathy and inclusivity
Raising awareness through community education

Applied Research

Loyalist College’s Applied Research and Innovation Office has partnered with Welcoming Streets to conduct research aimed at enhancing the program’s outreach effectiveness while addressing potential gaps in program delivery. The Applied Research and Innovation Office (ARIO) plays a central role in supporting and developing the College’s capacity for applied research and innovation. ARIO acts as a major catalyst for economic growth, sustainability, and social development in the region. Our integrated approach brings together industry, community partners, researchers, employees, and students to collaborate on projects that use new or existing knowledge to solve real-world challenges with immediate applications.

Community Partners and Other Support Services

Welcoming Streets works closely with local social service agents and Belleville Police Services to address the unique needs of the clients they service.

Partnerships Include:

Downtown BIA Members and Stakeholders
Community Development Council of Quinte
Integrity Security
Enrichment Centre for Mental Health
Canadian Mental Health Association HPE
Hastings Prince Edward Public Health
Belleville Police Service
Belleville Public Library
Hastings Housing Resource Centre/Youthab
YMCA of Central East Ontario
Hastings County
Grace Inn Shelter
Mission Thrift Store
St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store
Loyalist Community Employment Services

Donations

Donations are a significant help to this program. If you are interested in making donations to the program, please email welcome@downtownbelleville. Some ongoing donations include:

Quality seasonal clothing and footwear
Bottled water
Gift Cards
Ensure or boost
Protein bars or other individual snack items
Feminine hygiene product
Large Reusable Grocery Bags

Scalliwag Toys (302 Front Street) accepts donations for the Welcoming Streets program.

Other Support Services

Belleville Downtown District BIA

Suggestions on how to improve the downtown customer experience
Ideas on how to change public perception of downtown Belleville

Belleville Police Services Non-Emergency Line: 613-962-3456

No immediate threat to the safety of any individuals that may be involved
Wellness checks

Belleville Polices Services: 9-1-1

Immediate threat to the safety of the individual or others
Witnessing a crime or a crime is in progress
Emergency
Trespass to Property Act
Mental health crisis

Additional Community Supports

In a Crisis? Contact QHC Crisis Intervention Line at 1-888-757-7766
Suicide Crisis Helpline – 9-8-8 24/7 calls and texts
If you must use drugs alone, contact 1-888-853-8542
Emergency Housing Hastings County 613-771-9630, Mon-Fri, 8:30AM-4:30PM, after hours available Mon-Fri 4:30PM-8:30AM at 1-877-528-9514
Addictions and Mental Health Support Visit AccessMHA.ca
HPEPH Overdose Reporting Tool https://www.hpepublichealth.ca/report-an-overdose/.