Often, the people we serve aren’t just facing food insecurity. They can feel isolated, and may not have a family or a support system of their own. With your help, we launched Client Connect, a new program to reach out to those in need of a listening ear and connection to the community.
“It began when our Food Bank 2 Home volunteers would call to set up appointments with clients. Many live alone, and are homebound. That call might be the only conversation they have in a day,” says Joseph Araujo, Client Services Manager at Food Banks Mississauga.
“Sometimes, those calls to set up a food delivery would last 30, 45 minutes. We started to look at our clients’ situations, and many of them had no family, or were dealing with declines due to aging. The light bulb came on, and Client Connect was born.”
It’s caring neighbours like you that make this brand-new program possible, allowing us to reach out to neighbours who need to know they’re not alone.
Currently, Client Connect is run by a small but mighty team. Their role? Reaching out to clients on a regular basis to build a relationship and check in on their wellbeing.
They ask them if there’s anything they’d like to talk about that day. They’re a listening ear when they are experiencing challenges. They learn about their interests, their families, and important events in their lives. Mostly, it’s just about being there, and being a friend.
Maureen, a member of the Client Connect team, reflects on the connections she makes through the program.
“I thoroughly enjoy talking with our clients. It’s a privilege to share a small part of their lives, and they really appreciate us reaching out.”
In the future, Joseph can see the program growing to reach more neighbours in need, with the support of caring people like you.
Food insecurity and poverty are often experienced hand-in-hand with mental health challenges, like stress, anxiety, and depression. Being homebound and isolated only compounds these challenges. Through your generosity, you are helping offer much-needed support.
The team can also work with clients to identify when someone might need additional supports, and to connect them to other services and resources in the community to support their health and overall wellbeing.
Thank you for helping make Client Connect a reality! Your support is a lifeline to isolated and homebound neighbours across Mississauga.
