CMHA Downtown Ambassador Program
CMHA Downtown Ambassador Program
The CMHA Downtown Ambassador program has now launched! Details are below:
PURPOSE
To provide street outreach in Downtown Sault Ste. Marie.
To promote safety and cleanliness.
To be for residents and visitors to Sault Ste. Marie.
To connect the Downtown community.
To distribute harm reduction supplies.
To provide resources to the most vulnerable.
To administer naloxone, CPR, and First Aid.
To assess individuals and provide social services referrals.
To provide directors to citizens and tourists (who to contact- list on hand, and FAQ)
Ambassadors are NOT security or police.
ROLE PLAY SCENARIOS
Ex. Visitor from out of town is looking for the Canadian Bushplane Museum.
Ex. Assumed mental health client approaches ambassadors to talk.
Ex. Business calls phone line advising there is a homeless man sleeping in front of his store.
Ex. City garbage cans have been knocked over on Queen Street.
WHO ARE THE AMBASSADORS?
Are uniformed peer workers from CMHA,- to be able to distinguish in the community.
Two peer workers on every shift.
HOURS OF OPERATION
Monday to Friday - 3pm-7pm
Saturday and Sunday - 10am-6pm
Team meets at 386 Queen Street East.
GEOGRAPHIC AREA
North - Wellington Street
South - Bay Street
East - Pim Street
West - Gore Street
BACKPACKS
Ambassador backpacks carry first aid kits, PPE, gloves, granola bars, water, juice, small need disposal bins, small supply of harm reduction kits, program cell phones, resource and referral information, panic buttons/alarms, whistles, hand sanitizer, tongs, disinfectant wipes, map, who to call directory and FAQ for peer workers and general public, naloxone kits, hygiene kits, sunscreen, and a blanket.
NEXT STEPS
The Downtown Ambassador Program team will be visiting all businesses and storefronts in the Downtown area during the first months.
They will introduce themselves, provide brochures, and educate on naloxone.
This is a trial period, in which all details of the program are subject to change including shift times.
DEDICATED LINE FOR BUSINESSES TO CALL FOR AMBASSADORS: 705-989-8483
HOMEWORK
Please send CMHA your scenarios to incorporate into their ongoing training of the peer workers.
Send your scenarios to Annette Katajamaki - annette@cmhassm.com