The County of Renfrew is pleased to announce the launch of a new initiative centred around a collaborative approach to providing compassionate care in the community.
This phased approach, named mesa (pronounced “mey-suh”), embodies bold and compassionate work to address the root causes of homelessness, substance abuse and addictions and mental health while fostering a resilient and healthier community for all residents of the County of Renfrew. It is a collaborative between three internal service providers – Community Services, Paramedic Services and our Development and Property Department, as well as partner organizations serving our communities.
Learn more about mesa by reading the full report.
Also see our media release about this innovative, inter-departmental approach.
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Affordable Housing Summit
In April 2024, the County of Renfrew hosted an Affordable Housing Summit, which brought together stakeholders to discuss how to address the current affordable housing crisis across Renfrew County. This video captures the essence of the day.
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The mesa initiative and how it is addressing the opioid crisis in Renfrew County was recently featured on CBC News in a report by Omar Dabaghi-Pacheco, who was given rare access to the County of Renfrew Paramedic Service as paramedics responded to overdose calls.
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Since the Mesa initiative was launched in May 2024, it has continued to evolve to address the needs of community members experiencing homelessness, addictions, and mental health concerns. This is the first in a series of videos showcasing the Mesa initiative and highlighting one aspect – County of Renfrew Paramedics assisting individuals in the community as part of this collaborative approach between three County of Renfrew departments (Emergency Services, Community Services, and Development and Property) and other community partners including Mental Health Services (Pembroke Regional Hospital), and addictions and withdrawal services (MacKay Manor, and Renfrew Victoria Hospital).
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Mesa Gathering
The Mesa Gathering was held on May 22, 2024 at Miramichi Lodge in Pembroke with more than 180 attendees representing 49 agencies that provide services to individuals facing addictions, mental health challenges, and homelessness. The Mesa Gathering served as the official launch of Mesa and highlighted the collaborative approach to compassionate care and building a healthier, more resilient community.
The feedback from the event emphasizes the importance of direct support, personalized care, community engagement, and collaborative efforts in addressing the complex needs of individuals facing homelessness, mental health issues, and addictions.
The Mesa Gathering yielded numerous significant insights that hold substantial potential to positively impact vulnerable individuals in our community. These insights have been used to formulate the Mesa Gathering final report containing recommendations identified as impactful, achievable, and sustainable for improving the lives of individuals experiencing homelessness, addiction, and mental health challenges.
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