FF - Rebecca’s Journey

PUBLIC SAFETY ADVISORY
Suspect in custody

UPDATE - LONDON, ON (October 26, 2024) – As a result of the ongoing investigation into a number of non-fatal overdoses yesterday, a Thornhill man has been arrested and charged.

Yesterday afternoon, the ongoing investigation was reassigned to the London Police Service (LPS) Guns and Gangs Section and Investigative Response Unit.

Through the investigation, officers identified both the suspect male and vehicle.
As the whereabouts of the suspect male were unknown, investigators provided surrounding police services with details regarding the description of the suspect and vehicle to assist with locating him.

Shortly after 8:30 p.m., last night, members of the Strathroy-Cardoc Police Service located the red sedan driven by the suspect in the area of Second Street and Centre Road in Strathroy. Officers attempted to stop the suspect vehicle before it fled from police at a high rate of speed.

Officers did not pursue the vehicle.

Investigators with LPS were made aware.

Through the continued investigation and with the assistance of the Toronto Police Service, members of the LPS Guns and Gangs Section and Investigative Response Unit located the suspect and suspect vehicle in Etobicoke.

At approximately 3:20 a.m. this morning the suspect was arrested. No injuries were reported.

As a result of the investigation, a 26-year-old man, of Thornhill, has been charged with the following offences:

• Resist arrest;
• Fail to stop for police/pursuit; and,
• Traffic in a Schedule I substance.

The accused has been remanded into custody and is scheduled to re-appear in London court on October 28, 2024, in relation to the charges.

Investigators urge anyone who may have been in contact with the accused or have information surrounding this investigation to call police.

Additionally, police are reminding anyone who may have received the free substance from the accused to not ingest or use it and to call LPS.

The investigation remains ongoing.

Anyone with information in relation to this incident is asked to call the London Police Service at (519) 661-5670 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). Information can also be sent in online anonymously to London Middlesex Crime Stoppers.

LONDON, ON (October 25, 2024) – Shortly after 12:30 p.m. this afternoon, members of the London Police Service Uniformed Division responded to an increased number of non-fatal overdoses in the area of Queens Avenue and Adelaide Street North.

Officers learned a suspect operating a red sedan and described as male, Black, approximately 6’0”, wearing a tan sweater or jacket provided a free substance to a number of people before leaving the area. Several people who ingested the substance subsequently overdosed and required medical care.

Police are urging anyone who may have received the free substance from this male to not ingest or use it and to call the London Police Service.

Investigators are asking anyone who may have been in the area between the hours of 12:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. who has information in relation to this investigation or may have dash cam footage, residential or business video surveillance that may assist with this investigation to call the London Police Service.

The public are reminded not to approach the suspect if seen and to call 9-1-1.

The investigation remains ongoing, more information will be provided as appropriate.

Anyone with information in relation to this incident is asked to call the London Police Service at (519) 661-5670 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). Information can also be sent in online anonymously to London Middlesex Crime Stoppers.

Read the release on our website here: https://www.londonpolice.ca/en/news/public-safety-advisory-24-99772.aspx

Welp, my contract in Housing First as a Housing Stability Worker has officially come to an end and I truly believe I have learned so much! ☺️

Over the last 3 years, I have found a passion supporting youth facing adverse challenges like familial barriers, homelessness, abuse, mental health & addiction, unhealthy relationships, communication barriers, lack of community, and self awareness. Just to name a few... I have enjoyed this work for some time now but I have been able to focus and hone in on my “why’s” and “how’s”…

As a child and a youth, Michael struggled with many of these things and so much more. School was hard and he felt like he didn’t fit in… he felt “stupid” compared to his peers. There went his sense of community and self-compassion… He had so many goals but no sense of how to achieve them all because he mistrusted so many and felt isolated and different… There went the communication challenges and healthy relationships.. He struggled with his self worth and his emotional pain and all of which, led to complex mental health challenges and the obvious, addiction. Tie that all together with a very flawed system for supporting anyone with these deep-rooted challenges…

I feel that supporting youth in the earlier years, with a focus on health and compassion, can change the trajectory of previously adapted patterns of living. In my time working with the youth in housing first, here are some of my most crucial lessons I have taken with me…

- Positive encouragement goes a long way. They need to know they are seen.
- They absorb the words you say like moisturizer. Speak intentionally.
- Be honest with how their behaviour made you feel. They’re not always used to honesty in a kind way.
- Failing is learning and it’s not all bad.
- Natural consequences are extremely valuable - don’t try to fix everything.
- Things get harder before they get better. That’s a part of change.
- Include them in as many emails, meetings, conferences, phone calls that involve them as you can. They should be apart of their own care and planning.
- Sometimes they won’t be able to meet you halfway with everything, but they will in their own way. Pay attention to it.
- Youth can sense authenticity, be real with them. They can also see the work you put in, even if they don’t tell you.
- Autonomy is rare to receive as a youth. Model it and show them how.. it’s their life.
- Along with that, be prepared to not agree. But be okay with the idea that they probably won’t take your advice.
- Modelling healthy and positive adult interactions is crucial. Self-awareness too.
- Give them space. They will come to you when they’re ready.
- Be prepared to learn things from them too.
- They’re already the hardest on themselves, give them a break and the room to learn from mistakes.
- Prioritize safety, self-kindness, respect, autonomy and responsibility.
- You will make mistakes and may let them down sometimes… We’re all human and they will forgive you.
- Their crisis is not your crisis.

There are obviously so many more lessons we take from the work we do, and a lot of which we already knew, but these feel important and invaluable.

Thanks for reading 🥰✌🏼

hi all!! as some of you may have noticed, I have had to recently change my page name…

i recently came to learn that facebook has put blockers on their searches. this includes the names of substances!

we all know what it stands for. that’s what matters 🙂

our Indigenous friends deserve all of our respect, love, and support today. they have, and continue to go through barriers because of OUR systems in place both obvious to the community and hidden.

did you know that Indigenous children make up the majority of foster children in Canada? did you also know that Indigenous adults systemically make up at least 9% MORE of the justice system than non-Indigenous adults?

we need to hold our friends and their experiences close, value and respect what they have been through, and provide a safe and supportive community for healing.

To all of our friends, we are sorry and please keep sharing your knowledge and kindness with us.

if you would like to donate to show your support today, I have attached Atlohsa’s donation page. donations aren’t always possible but donate your time and your listening ear and try to learn more each day.

https://atlohsa.com/pages/ways-to-give

xo 🧡

🤢

Because if we halt existing harm reduction framework for alcohol, people won’t drink and if we halt operating casinos, people won’t gamble, right?

Rehab and recovery centres work when people choose that path, (and when affordable and space available which no) whether it’s what will work for people or they’re ready. Otherwise, it’s wasteful of funds, labour and causes harm. Rehab and recovery centres is one piece, not the shining one-stop solution.

Shutting down frameworks and spaces that work to support people isn’t a win, it’s a major loss. Being proud of shunning data and research isn’t a flex it’s a moral failure.

How bleak some celebrate our already overwhelmed hospital system ballooning, paramedic response times dipping, the occasional used gear on the ground becomes many because we’ve shutdown the services to exchange and properly dispose of biohazards, and death. Many preventable deaths.

Seek to shutdown supervised consumption sites and now anywhere is an unsupervised consumption site.

Want to know why the problem is worse?
We haven’t done s**t to address it, we’ve actually cut back on so many needed services and oh my goodness!

IT’S GETTING WORSE?!

Colour me shocked…

it’s international overdose awareness day and this year it hits extra hard… thinking about all of the peeps we lost this year, and especially Michael… may you always be remembered 🤍

my heart aches. im so sorry s. i will always think of you with every beautiful crystal i come across.

you deserved so much more 🤍

Obituary of Shirley Nicole Stanley | Woodland Cemetery, Mausoleum, and Crematorium It is with great sadness we announce the passing, suddenly of Shirley on August 18, 2024 after a battle with mental illness. We are completely devastated by her passing at such a young age. Shirley always had a smile and her laugh was contagious, she strived to be artistic and kind and support other...

Story time…

The other day I was able to chat with someone who manages donations and grants, etc, for a large social service organization in London.

While chatting, I shared some of the noticed consistent needs we see on the front lines. I told her that feminine products and shower products are a large need, explaining that largely, individuals struggling with low income and homelessness often do not get the chance to have the “extra” things that we do not think about; like razors, tampons, tweezers, conditioner, hair ties…

She told me about a time that she had shared those needs. During the interaction, the lady was adamant that she could not provide razors to the organization. When asked why, she told the employee that she believed “it is inappropriate to provide objects such as razors or dental floss to individuals struggling with homelessness”.

Ultimately, the employee became frustrated by this answer and shared with me that she did not know how to respond to that level of ignorance.

This is a great reminder as to why community education is so very important in the work we do…

People who don’t get it, don’t get it. And they may never, but with education and allowing space to ask the hard questions, we are decreasing those stigmas and pre-conceived beliefs and creating a more rounded community system. Education is the utmost important thing to rebridging our communities.

This is just my humble reminder to be open to learning and don’t assume anything. Ask questions, be honest about what you don’t know and most importantly, be respectful.

There is so much to learn and although not everyone will care to hear it, we will keep fighting to reduce the stigmas for the people we support 🤍🤍🤍

👏🏼👏🏼

Happy Wednesday Friends 👋

Last night our friend Ahmad came by with a truck load of shoes to drop off for our friends. Ahmad led a shoe drive a few weeks ago with his team at ! We are so grateful for their leadership in the community supporting our friends facing homelessness and creating safer environments for all. We are also continuously inspired by their capacities to go above and beyond for our friends in the community by hosting drive’s to get most needed items. Thank you to everyone who took the time to check their closets and shoe shelves to donate a pair of shoes for a friend. This week following the rain many of our friends socks and shoes are wet and we’re grateful for the opportunity to provide both dry sock and shoes when the need arises.

Thank you for being great friends! 🫶

Without YOU there is no 519Pursuit!
💙✨

We are absolutely thrilled to announce some incredible news! A huge shoutout and heartfelt thank you to Starbucks partners *Tara from Starbucks Masonville and *Stephanie from Hyde Park for your generous nomination. Ark Aid was selected and received a grant of $20,250.00 ! With the support of , we're now able to continue our vital work in supporting the most vulnerable members of our community. This funding boost couldn't have come at a better time, as our current extended funding is nearing its end. Your kindness and dedication are making a real difference. Together, we're building a stronger, more compassionate city. Thank you! 🌟❤️

Click the link to learn more about this amazing grant - https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/neighborhood-grants/.

PLEASE SHARE - LOCATED

UPDATE - LONDON, ON (July 8, 2024) - A previously reported missing 13-year-old girl has been located and is safe. We would like to thank the public for sharing the information.

LONDON, ON (July 5, 2024) – The London Police Service is requesting the public’s assistance in locating a 13-year-old London girl.

She is described as female, White, 5’0, approximately 100 lbs, with blue-green eyes and long light brown hair.

She was last seen on July 4th at 5:50 pm in the area of Huron Street and Kipps Lane and reported missing On July 4th. She was last seen wearing a black cropped tank top, red and black checkered pants and white Croc shoes.

Family and police are concerned for her welfare.

Anyone with information in relation to the missing person’s whereabouts is asked to call the London Police Service at (519) 661-5670 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). Information can also be sent in online anonymously to London Middlesex Crime Stoppers.

A person can be reported missing at any time. You do not need to wait 24 hours before you report someone missing. If you are concerned for someone’s immediate safety, call 9-1-1. Otherwise, you can report a person as missing to the London Police Service by calling the non-emergency number 519-661-5670.

Read the full release on our website here:https://www.londonpolice.ca/en/news/missing-person-24-61467.aspx

Well, this month I am celebrating 3 years with Youth Opportunities Unlimited and boy, what a freaking journey… from Relief Shelter Worker and Employment Services Student, to Primary Shelter Caseworker, and now Housing First Caseworker… I have been able to witness so many stories and I have built a mighty good one for myself in the process.

I have to say that I did not think 3 years was that long, however, today I was granted the honour to watch two amazing youth graduate from high school and I realized many things…

1. 3 years is a long time to establish a positive relationship in a young persons life. This may be one of the few positive relationships the individual has had yet…. It’s important and it’s a big deal to them.

2. You don’t realize the importance of your support until they tell you…

3. Working with youth is the most humbling, emotional, impactful, and yet, incredibly DIFFICULT thing you could ever do…

4. We can truly do anything if we want it hard enough. There are many people out there with worse odds than you, and they are doing the damn thing. So can you.

5. I have learned so much about myself in these last three years, and I have learned the most from the youth themselves. I honestly wouldn’t be who I am at this moment without their truths, their perspectives, their lessons, their talents.

I know it is a lot of cliche and I know it’s cheesy, but I am so so so grateful to have been given the chance to work with such a diverse population and to watch these young people grow into their true selves…

And the best part is… I was absolutely convinced I wasn’t going to like working with youth at all!!! 😂

lack of affordable housing and the addressing of systemic racism…. It is clear what we need…

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We mentioned there would be a big announcement coming, …

We’re so excited to share that a generous anonymous donor has pledged to match each donation received for Joan’s Place, up to $1.5 million. Today we're announcing for each dollar you give to Joan’s Place, your donation will be doubled!

Joan’s Place will give youth, young mothers, and moms-to-be the support they need, when they need it most. It will not only give them a place to stay, but it will provide the support they need to escape homelessness and create a new cycle for themselves and their young families.

Visit our website to read more about Joan’s Place and the impact it will have on : https://www.you.ca/joans-place