A project put in place more than a decade ago has had a major impact on the health and safety of people experiencing loss of shelter during the pandemic.
Nestled inside of Main Street Project is a City of Winnipeg paramedic. Dustin Vogt, who is one of these (EPIC) paramedics has been part of this specific program off and on for the past four years and has noticed its major impacts on the unsheltered community.
"We're very happy to help. This is part of our job and I can speak for all paramedics involved in the program (saying) we take pride in taking care of our communities and making sure that people are getting the proper care," Vogt says. "The last thing you want to see is people falling through the cracks."
More than a decade ago, before 2009, Main Street Project was often frequented by ambulances for people needing a variety of medical help but were unable to get it. Now, Vogt and other paramedics fill that role.
"They're saying 'okay, you know what now I have somebody I can trust, I have somebody I connect with,' and they're seeking that person out," Adam Haddad, Main Street Project's Support Services Program Manager says.
This paramedic program has saved the currently overworked ambulances from needing to come as frequently, but more importantly, created a trusted medical environment. Seeing the relationships grow and trust gained in with the medical professionals is something Vogt is glad to see, especially in the pandemic.
"We're always there to help and we will do whatever we can to help people in our community," Vogt says.
The pandemic is far from over with Main Street Project. While cases may be lower and vaccination rates rise, unsheltered life is riskier than the average Manitoban's. Some shelters in Winnipeg have seen COVID-19 outbreaks throughout the pandemic, and the province has created programs such as isolation shelters to help.
Haddad has found people are vigilant with their own and other people's health.
"It's been amazing to see the response from the community that they're just saying 'hey I'm going to take care of my health because my health could endanger you," Haddad says.
The Support Services Program Manager says younger people are also careful, knowing that even if they only have mild symptoms, they are careful to report them because an older person in the cot next to them may be more vulnerable.
"We find just amazing response from the community that they realize that when you live in a shelter you live in a group environment and that in this case taking care of yourself means taking care of the person next to you."
Haddad is finding having a trusted medical professional on-site has made a big difference in their shelter's COVID-19 situation.
Thu, May 2, 5:30 PM
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