The province announced today the provision of some funding to see our local HUB program move forward in its efforts to help at-risk people.

Minister of Justice and Attorney General for Manitoba Cliff Cullen shares the news

"Today we're announcing that we're going to be providing the community HUB, or Mobilization, Table $65,000. So, that $65,000 will be used to hire a full-time project coordinator. We appreciate the good work the HUB has been doing over the last year and a half it has been in operation."

He notes they've dealt with many clients, and will be dealing with some at-risk individuals in the community. They identify those people, and are able to provide resources they require to get their lives back as they should be. Cullen says the program has proven successful in other communities in Manitoba. He notes the government looks at it as providing the capacity to deal with at-risk families, and every opportunity is there to provide positive outcomes.

Cullen adds they're excited about the model and trying to build this capacity around the province. He adds they'll be working with the communities to ensure the resources are available. Cullen notes some areas do not have full-time resources, and it comes to funding. Research is ongoing to prove they are providing outcomes that families are needing, which will justify more funding toward this prevention side of the problem. Cullen says they want to keep people out of the justice system in any way they can, and resources for HUB, to detect the issues early on, should do just that.

Mari LawrenceMari Lawrence is the new HUB Coordinator and shares how it feels to see this full-time position come her way.

"It's really exciting," says Lawrence. "I was working with the HUB project previous to this position, off the side of my desk. So, it's really exciting to work full-time on it. I will be chairing all of the HUB meetings. We are making some changes to the HUB project which will be announcing later on."

She explains she gets to work with various partners and agencies, making it always something different. Lawrence says the HUB Table meets twice a week and brings acutely elevated risks or referrals who can benefit from various services. Changes will be made to provide ongoing services to these referrals. Lawrence notes now that they have this funding for her position as full-time coordinator, they can provide services for up to a year. Team support meetings will be created for each client, and meet with the client once a month for up to a year.

Lawrence adds they've seen great success with the program so far in Portage. 147 referrals since May 2018 have been worked with.

RCMP Inspector Jarrid St. Pierre is glad to see HUB move forward like this.

"It's a wonderful thing to free up the people that were running the HUB before, who were often working on HUB mandates off the side of their desk," notes St. Pierre. "So, having a full-time designated person to do that frees up resources."

He says it also provides continuity to the program, as well as a consistent voice for people at risk in supporting agencies to liaise with, and receive guidance from and set up these referral meetings.

Mayor Irvine Ferris adds, "As most people know, Portage is facing some huge challenges with crime and social issues. This funding and this support for the HUB program is very, very welcome."