(BRIGHT’S GROVE) –
Community leaders and families will join residents and workers from
Huron House Boys’ Home for an event tomorrow in Bright’s Grove, just
outside Sarnia. The HHBH Frontline Staff & Youth BBQ is in support
of staff and youth.
DATE: Wednesday,
May 9
TIME: 4:30 – 6 pm,
LOCATION:
Mike Weir Park, 2354 Lakeshore Rd., Bright’s Grove
The workers are in a
battle with their employer for modest wage increases and training.
That’s what’s needed to ensure continued stability, structure,
support and guidance for residents. As long-term employees, they are
experienced in specialized support for youth with mental health
challenges and other serious issues.
“Community leaders and
Huron House frontline staff, residents, and families are working
together to put mental health at the heart of the community,” says
OPSEU President Warren (Smokey) Thomas, guest speaker at the event.
“There’s a lot of support behind this fight for a first collective
agreement.”
So far, the employer has
offered negligible wage increases and no money for training. Similar
centres with similar sources of funding have agreed to better terms
than HHBH has offered. It’s not credible that HHBH can’t afford to
keep the youth treatment centre funded to provide the much-needed
and well-regarded services, says Scott Honke, a union representative
for Huron House workers. Honke, a former resident, is a residential
counselor at Huron House.
“The staff here are
helping youth to become healthy, responsible men, husbands, and
fathers,” says Honke. “Huron House has a good reputation and been
successful over the decades. I can’t understand why the employer
wouldn’t want to make sure we can continue to help residents go on
to lead healthy, productive lives.”
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