Pet food and free coats: At Silverwoods Arena, it's not only about housing

This week at Silverwoods Park Arena, city staff have brought together a number of services to help London's most vulnerable, including those experiencing homelessness or struggling with addiction and mental health issues. 

The main purpose of Housing Stability Week is connecting those who sleep rough with a safe, warm place to live as the nights become increasingly colder. 

While housing is the main focus, it's not the only support on offer.

Clothing donations

Many of the clients arrive in dire need of clean clothing. 

Vala Gylfadottir is a manager with homeless prevention at the city. On Tuesday, she was busy sorting donations being dropped of at the Zamboni door.

When asked what's needed most she said "we need everything, basically," but said men's winter coats, boots, hats and scarves are the greatest need. 

Once it's donated, the clothing is sorted by size, cleaned, folded and neatly placed into small care packages. Clients are often offered the clothing packages after they take advantage of the arena's shower facilities. 

"They can come here, have a shower and put on a fresh set of clothing," said Gylfadottir. 

Anyone with clothing to donate can take it to the north side of the Sliverwoods Park Arena, which is located on Sycamore Street, off Trafalgar Street west of Highbury Avenue. Donations will be accepted until Friday, Nov. 1.

Help for veterans

Many veterans in London struggle with poverty, precarious housing and other issues. 

John Sluggett is a service officer with the local branch of the Royal Canadian Legion. 

He's set up a table on the arena floor where he helps clients who haved served in the Canadian military. 

After service is verified, he helps ensure veterans are getting all the benefits they're entitled to. 

"That will open up all kinds of avenues for funding," he said. "It's some income so that he can get off the street and live a better life." 

While the number of veterans in London who are homeless is difficult to pinpoint, Sluggett said his branch works with 16 who need some help, but are currently housed. Two others who need housing arrived this week claiming past service. 

Sluggett recently helped house a veteran in Sarnia. 

"We helped him find an apartment yesterday," said Sluggett. "He's hopefully moving in in the next day or two." 

Sluggett said in many cases, veterans who are entitled to pensions and other benefits are too proud to pursue collecting them. 

"They are always saying, 'No, I'm not deserving, give it to somebody who deserves it,'" he said. "The way we handle it is: 'You've served, you have a right, here's what you need to do to get every benefit we can provide.'" 

Help with pet care

Clients who show up seeking care don't always arrive alone. It's not uncommon for them to come with pets, essential companions who also sometimes suffer from nights spent sleeping rough. 

Kaitlyn Waters is an animal services officer for the City of London. 

She offers free bags of cat and dog food at her table, but also answers questions about pet care. A veterinarian is expected to be at the arena on Wednesday morning to offer cursory care for pets whose owners can't afford to visit a vet.  

Most of the pets she sees are well cared for, but clients are seeking advice or access to affordable veterinary care, she said. 

"Having a pet, it helps them get through their day," she said.