‘We’re just literally trying to take care of people’: Encampment Support Network provides supplies and compassion to homeless people camped out in Toronto

Among other things, they offer ice, bottled water, snacks, toiletries, baby wipes, socks, tents, sleeping bags, naloxone and harm reduction kits, not to mention a friendly face and some consistency to those experiencing homelessness.

Over the last 14 weeks, the community network has distributed $83,000 in humanitarian aid, which was either donated or purchased with funds from several anonymous donors.

“We’re just literally trying to take care of people … and we’re ensuring compassion is paramount,” said volunteer Jeff Bierk, who is affectionately known as “IceMan” to those who call Moss Park home as he often arrives with big bags of ice that he lugs over to their tents.

“We’re meeting people, making connections, sharing resources and advocating for them,” added Bierk, a west-end resident who works as an artist and photographer but, due to the pandemic, had some free time and decided to give back.

The Encampment Support Network, which isn’t defined as an organization but rather people who have organized, came into being in early June after a few friends showed up to lend their support to outreach workers and help advocate for folks being evicted from an encampment under the Gardiner Expressway.

However, they soon learned there were a lot of gaps, a lot of people experiencing homelessness who desperately needed help.

In a matter of weeks, a network of more than 100 vetted volunteers from the community was up and running to assist those living in encampments in six downtown Toronto neighbourhoods.

“Our role is to be a witness to how (Toronto’s) homeless people are dealt with and to hold the city accountable, especially during the pandemic … It’s really been interesting to see all the gaps in these systems,” Bierk said.

Annex resident Charlotte Smith, who volunteers at the Scadding Court encampment, said “nothing (the network does) is complex or complicated.”

“It’s filling those basic needs,” said Smith, who uses they pronouns, adding ESN is simply people from the community helping their neighbours.

Smith, a grad student and musician, said they’ve seen workers from the City of Toronto-funded Streets to Home program — which was created to help people with a history of homelessness transition from the street to permanent housing — only a handful of times in the last two and a half months at Scadding Court.

“When they come in for a clearing there isn’t that relationship (like we have),” Smith said.

“I love (helping out), but I also believe we shouldn’t have to. What we’re seeing is a ton of systemic neglect, people who aren’t being cared for. We’re doing this because the city won’t.”

Smith said the only way to solve the homelessness crisis is through permanent housing with the right kind of supports, adding Toronto’s interim “shelter hotel” model isn’t working.

On Wednesday, Sept. 23, the Encampment Support Network is hosting a “Meal and March for Housing” to call on the government to take concrete action to help those living in encampments and to provide permanent homes. The physically distanced gathering will get underway at 5 p.m. at Moss Park, 150 Sherbourne St. All are welcome.

The ESN has also organized a clothing drive this weekend at 1157 Davenport Rd. The event will run Saturday, Sept. 25 and Sunday, Sept. 26 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days. Donations of gently used warm, clean clothing, including jackets, sweaters, pants, toques, mittens, warm socks and blankets, are especially needed.

In an Aug. 21 statement provided to toronto.com, the city said it is “aware of the increase in the number and size of encampments as well as the concerns about the safety and well-being of people living outdoors, and the impact on the local community,” and is taking a “comprehensive approach to providing outreach to those living outdoors and in encampments through the Streets to Homes program.”

A city spokesperson said they’re also taking a “human rights approach to homeless encampments and occupations of city space for those encamped and the wider community,” and are making use of “the skill sets, tools, relationships and authorities of multiple city divisions and community partners to respond to the complex health and safety risks in and around encampments, facilitate access to safer inside spaces, clearing encampments of waste and debris, and ensuring City of Toronto shared use spaces are accessible to all.”

Further, city staff attend encampment sites as required and Streets to Homes workers, along with funded outreach agencies, are “actively engaging the individuals in them to provide support and assistance on a daily basis.”

“They conduct wellness checks and work with the individuals to help them access shelter or other supports such as help with accessing income, access to health care and developing a case plan to move into housing,” the spokesperson said, noting this includes “handing out water to individuals in encampments, providing information about where they can access food and providing health and harm reduction supplies.”

However, encampments are not permitted in Toronto’s parks, and tents and other structures are not allowed on city property, the spokesperson said.

As of Aug. 20, Toronto has moved 775 people from encampments into safe indoor spaces in shelters and hotels, and said it would be provide more options to move inside as spaces open.

CLARIFICATION — SEPT. 23, 2020: This story has been edited to add Cherry Beach to the list of locations visited by the Encampment Support Network.

Joanna Lavoie is a reporter with toronto.com. Reach her via email: jlavoie@toronto.com