GUELPH – Compass Community Services is hoping to raise enough funds to maintain some of the daily services it says are critical to the community.
The Guelph-based organization provides mental health, gender-based violence, developmental services and telephone hotline support to community members in need.
It is funded through United Way, grants, and donations, and like many Canadian non-profits, Compass has been greatly affected by the reduced availability of funding and grants.
Executive director Joanne Young Evans said Compass received less funding from United Way Guelph Wellington Dufferin than usual and it has not been successful with all its grant applications, leaving Compass with 50% of what it needs to run its telephone support program.
JOANNE YOUNG EVANS
She explained the agency needs $25,000 to $50,000 to keep its phone lines operating.
“Without additional financial support from our community, I’m afraid we won’t be able to continue all four of our telephone support lines at their current capacity – we’ll have to reduce hours,” she said.
However, “Suicidal ideation doesn’t wait for office hours,” she noted.
Compass currently maintains four daily telephone support lines:
- Distress Line (1-888-821-3760);
- LGBTQ+ Support Line (226-669-3760);
- Seniors Offering Support (1-519-821-3760); and
- TeleConnect Line (1-519-821-3760).
Before the pandemic, Young Evans said Compass had four volunteers who fielded a couple hundred calls a month.
Now they have 125 trained volunteers and are logging 30,000 calls a year. And the calls continue to increase.
“We save lives through this service,” Young Evans said.
“From individuals struggling with mental health or suicidal ideations to LGBTQ+ youth in a tough spot to seniors who need a little extra support such as medication reminders, we are here for everyone.
“We save the health care system over $1M annually by diverting 911 calls, medication reminders and wellness checks for seniors and more.”
Young Evans said Compass is partnering with researchers at the University of Guelph in the new year to verify and quantify its savings to the health care system as it lobbies the government for ongoing funding.
“The service helps the broader healthcare system,” she said.
“If they couldn’t call us, they’d call 911, or nobody. It’s not calling anyone that is most concerning. If we weren’t here, people would be dying.”
Young Evans said the cost of a 911 call is $700 to $1,500 per call while a call to Compass costs about $12.
Hospitals, family health teams, the community health centre and public health all refer to these services for their patients.
This system ensures people in need receive the help best suited to their situation.
Anyone who wishes to donate can mail a cheque or donate online through Canada Helps.
