We take big ideas developed by and for People With Lived/Living Expertise and apply on-the-ground, root-cause solutions that are peer-led and professionally supported.
friend
- Person Who Is Experiencing Houselessness
- Person Who Uses substances
Peer
- Person with lived/living experience (PWLE) of houselessness and/or substance use
COMPASSIONATE APPROACHES TO SUBSTANCE USE WORKSHOP
In collaboration with the Chatham-Kent Community Drug Strategy, the P-2-P team has developed an educational workshop that explores the realities of houselessness, substance use, and harm reduction through the lens of lived and living experience.
Participants will examine how stigma affects individuals and communities, challenge common misconceptions surrounding houselessness and substance use, and gain a deeper understanding of the barriers many people face when accessing support. The workshop also highlights the important role that peer support plays in fostering connection, trust, and positive outcomes within the community.
This training is delivered by R.O.C.K. peers with lived and living expertise, who share their experiences and perspectives to create meaningful learning opportunities and encourage more inclusive community responses.
For more information, contact us at ck@reachoutck.com
2025 P-2-P ACCOMPLISHMENTS
- 50 team gatherings resulted in 150 hours of peer support, knowledge exchange, relationship building, and project planning.
- 20+ active partnerships were maintained with community-based organizations.
- The P2P team delivered 11 community-based Compassionate Approaches to Substance Use training sessions to 370 individuals, focused on reducing stigma and promoting compassionate approaches to substance use.
- Evaluation feedback from 115 surveys demonstrated strong outcomes from the training sessions. Participants reported an average baseline knowledge rating of 2.9/5, increasing to 4.1/5 following the training, with 82% agreeing their knowledge increased as a result. Feedback also highlighted the value of lived experience and peer perspectives, identifying personal experiences and peer involvement as meaningful aspects of the training.
- An additional 9 information sessions were provided, focusing on substance use, harm reduction, stigma, and an overview of R.O.C.K. programs and services.
- Engaged and paid 20 peers to do Peer outreach work, including on the ground outreach, distributing harm reduction supplies, assisting at drop-in centres, and help with events and training sessions.
- Within the broader team of 20 paid Peer Workers engaged, 7 were based in satellite sites across Chatham, Ridgetown, Tilbury, and Blenheim, providing harm reduction supplies directly in their communities.
- 12 new Peer Workers completed a 5 week R.O.C.K. Peer Training program, building skills and readiness for future roles within the organization.
- Hosted 4 memorial events, including an International Overdose Awareness Day event, providing space to honour and remember those lost to drug poisonings and substance-use related harms.
- Developed new partnerships with local churches to integrate Peer support into their weekly meal programs.
- Successful recipient of Health Canada Substance Use and Addictions Program (SUAP) grant (Jan 2023-Mar 2025)
Issues
- HOUSELESSNESS
- Substance Use
- Mental Health
- Toxic Drug Poisonings
- Stigma
- community safety
Solutions
- Harm Reduction
- Trauma Informed Care
- Recognition, Compensation & Support
- Evidence-Informed
- Equity, Diversity & Inclusion
- Dignity-Centered
Values
- Empowerment
- Belonging
- Courage
- Trust
- Learning
Partners
- c-k ems
- c-k ontario health team
- C-K POLICE SERVICE
- CHATHAM-KENT HEALTH ALLIANCE
- CHATHAM-KENT WOMEN'S CENTRE
- CK Public Health
- cmha
- Municipality of Chatham-Kent
- and more
Nothing about us, without us.
The Peer-2-Peer project began in November 2020 when community agencies identified a significant gap in Chatham-Kent around peer engagement.
To better understand the needs of people with lived/living expertise of substance use and homelessness (PWLE) a support team was created.
PWLE who fulfill informal roles as leaders and caregivers in their communities were engaged to join the project.
Over the past years, the project team has met on a weekly basis and peer engagement activities occur in various ways.
Testimonials
“But I think what we are most proud of is something that cannot be measured or described in a report. It has to be felt and experienced whole heartedly. And that is the relationships and trust that we have and continue to build.”
“I feel like I have finally found my calling and that people are actually listening. I feel like I was born to do this work.”
“I didn’t know I could talk like that in a room full of people. I’ve always been taught don’t speak unless you are spoken to and to mind my own business. I didn’t know I could speak and people would listen and what I say would matter... I feel like a new person, people have told me that I am changing. I feel like I am able to really help people... I feel like I found my voice; found my purpose.”
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