The Old Brewery Mission trying to make its reintegration program permanent

For decades, the Old Brewery Mission has dedicated itself to soothing the homeless. Then, three years ago, it decided to turn its attention to fighting homelessness by getting the destitute off the streets and into a job, for some, into adapted or supported living for others.

Old Brewery Mission director general Mathew Pearce says it's a three-part program that starts with the basics: getting the homeless prepared for a return to life in the wider world, whether that means dealing with mental illness, or with substance abuse, for instance. The homeless will then get help with permanent housing and, some, with job counselling.

Pearce says the program is a big success so far, with more than 600 homeless men and women successfuly completing the social re-integration program over the last three-years.

The Old Brewry Mission says it needs to collect ten-million dollars over five years so it can make the temporary program permanent

(source: CJAD)