In Society, there are many persons with problems, who could be
assisted in finding solutions by existing services of which they are
unaware. Failure to reach these services can and does lead to
continued problems, such as individual or family failure. These
result in the person involved becoming a continued charge to society.
Some examples are:
-
New Canadians and persons who have recently moved to Toronto, who
need to know about resources available, and be put in touch with
these community and governmental agencies.
-
Senior citizens who need to know of community and governmental
services and agencies that can assist them in making their lives more
rewarding and productive.
-
Patients returning from mental institutions are often lacking in
resources to connect them back into society, and often regress
because they don't have ongoing support.
-
Families where the breadwinner suddenly becomes unemployed after a
lengthy life of constant employment. The trauma of being unemployed
may lead to family breakdown, because the former breadwinner is
unaware of the resources which may enable him or her to re-enter the
employment market.
-
Ex-offenders returning from terms of incarceration in prison, who
have lost all touch with the communities to which they are returning,
and the resources there. They are distrustful of those in authority,
and without some assistance, are unlikely to reach resources that may
help them become functioning persons in society.
The Solution:
The Connecting Link is an agency that has been set up to provide a
service to assist persons in Metropolitan Toronto who could benefit
from linkage with existing community resources.
The agency provides a connection to existing social services,
community and governmental services for new Canadians, senior
citizens, patients from mental institutions, people suffering from
family breakups, ex-inmates, and any other persons in crisis situations.
Benefits:
Persons leaving institutions need a loving and caring human response
to their needs, and need to be able to turn to someone who will
listen to them and connect them immediately to a source of help. The
Connecting Link deals with immediate needs such as food, shelter and problem-solving.
The Connecting Link will also help people in dramatic crisis
situations to prevent proliferation into more and more difficult
behaviour, which can lead to family breakups, crime, and even to suicide.
