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
Dallis Hodgson (He/Him)
Welcoming Streets Team Lead & Steward
Monday to Friday 9 am-4:30 pm
343-645-6382
Aries Timleck (He/Him)
Welcoming Streets Steward
Monday & Tuesday 3:30pm-7:00pm
343-645-6382
Michael Ramsay (They/Them)
Welcoming Streets Steward
Tuesday – Friday 11:30am-7:00pm
Saturday 10:00am-5:30pm
343-645-6382
Screenshot

Grace Akor
SSW Student, Loyalist College
Thursday & Friday 9 am-3 pm
[email protected]

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

  1. Reducing unnecessary calls to local police department 
  2. Enhancing community safety 
  3. Referrals to local housing and mental health/substance use supports
  4. Fostering positive therapeutic relationships by promoting empathy and inclusivity 
  5. 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

Both Scalliwag Toys (302 Front Street) and Tinkered Decor and More (217 Front Street) also accept 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 call 310-Open 613-310-6736
  • HPEPH Overdose Reporting Tool https://www.hpepublichealth.ca/report-an-overdose/

For information on Safer Drug Use and Harm Reduction visit https://www.hpepublichealth.ca/safer-drug-use/