The Salvation Army Maxwell Meighen Centre
Executive Director: Captain Roy Snow
Program Coordinator – CSC Liaison: Anthony (Tony) Wootten
Address: 135 Sherbourne Street, Toronto, ON, M5A 2R5
Telephone: (416) 366-2733 Fax: (416) 366-0166

HISTORY: The Salvation Army Maxwell Meighen Centre has been at this location for approximently 50 yrs and was originally the Training College for Salvation Army Officers (Ministers).

DESCRIPTION: This Centre was newly renovated in 1994 and is a modern facility for men from all walks of life. We are centrally located in the hub of activity in downtown Toronto. We are able to accommodate 425 men at any one given time. We have beds to accommodate those who are homeless with no funding, paybeds for the working class and private rooms for long-term residents. We have a full service kitchen that serves three meals a day to those staying in the centre (those working or in private rooms are required to pay $3 per meal), welfare recipients meals are included in daily beds package. We have a soup-line each Sunday and Tuesday evening after our chapel services.

PROGRAMS: We have several programs at this centre to enhance our services to the Community:

The Turning Point Program: This is an two phase continuum of treatment. The program is of minimum duration of four months for alcohol, drug and/or gambling problems. To be accepted into the Turning Point Program for the first 28 days of treatment you must signing a contract fully agreeing to continue onto the Salvation Army Harbour Light for a further three months. We accept people from all walks of life who are addicted. We accept those on bail, parole, probation or referrals from other sources. The program has its own self-contained area separate from the rest of the centre. There is a lounge (with a TV books and games), classroom, small private kitchen for coffee etc. We have a total of 20 beds, two dorms with eight beds and two dorms with two beds. Three Counsellors. Twenty-four hour security.

Admittance criteria: You must be willing to admit that you have a serious addiction problem that has taken over your life and be in full agreement to complete a four month program. If incarcerated you must have made application through the Correctional Institute Salvation Army Chaplain and approved by the Program Coordinator at the Turning Point. If making application from other sources you will be required to have a personal interview with the Program Coordinator.

Exclusions: Those who are deemed to be violent offenders, dangerous sexual offenders, pedophiles, and serious psychiatric problems. Those with psychiatric problems may be accepted after being assessed by the centre psychiatrist for suitability.

COUNSELLING DEPT: All residents who come to our door to seek shelter will be required to see one of the centre counsellors upon their initial intake and there after if the resident feels there is a need. Those who cause problems will be required to see counselling before being re-admitted to the centre. Some residents are seen on a regular basis at their request them with any problems that they may have. The counselling will refer residents to the Turning Point for treatment, PSU or other organizations as required, to meet there needs.

PSU: This is a short-term primary support unit, for those in mental health crisis. They will stay in this unit for a maximum of three weeks. The purpose of this unit is to help them get stabilized on their medications, find supportive housing in the community and also to help them seek psychiatric or medical help if they do not have a doctor.

HOUSING WORKER: There are four housing workers at the Centre whose responsibility it is to help the residents to find affordable housing out in the community. They have a list of contacts that are willing to rent rooms, apartments etc to our residents. We also work with the City of Toronto who are willing to open up apartments in their community housing units.

SHARE CARE WORKERS: There are two fulltime Share care workers who are at the Centre three days a week for medical and psychological problems. We also have a Doctor come into the centre twice a week who is hired by Centre for Mental Health and Addictions, to help those with psychological and other health concerns that need to see a physician and/or psychiatrist.

CSC: We have from 5 – 11 beds for statutory releases that require a place to stay until the are able to acquire permanent residence in the Community. Day Paroles who are on standby until an opening is available in a Halfway House. We can when requested through our housing worker help them to find outside accommodations. We also accept those will addiction problems into the Turning Point Program at the request of their Parole Supervisor. We will also provide them with one on one counselling when requested. All CSC Residents must be referred through their Toronto Parole Supervisor.

The Salvation Army Maxwell Meighen Centre Liaison is the Turning Point Program Coordinator Anthony (Tony) Wootten. He can be contacted for information at the above address, telephone and fax number of the T.P.P.

We work basically with the Downtown Office and Team Supervision. We do work with the other office in Toronto from time to time as the need arises

ADMISSION PROCEDURE: Hostel area admissions are largely by self-referral but can be accepted if referred to us from an outside agency. The PSU, is by referrals from our Counselling Staff or other agencies, but must be assessed by the PSU Staff and accepted before they are considered for admittance. The housing is by referral from our Counselling Staff, CSC Liaison. The Turning Point and CSC is as stated above.

STAFF: The centre has a staff of over 82 members, working in all departments. The Turning Point has a Staff consisting of the Coordinator, two fulltime Counselling Staff and Students in training from the local Colleges. The rest of the Staff is allotted to three shifts per day throughout the rest of the centre. We operate on a 24 hr basis with fulltime Staff and Security.

CENTRE OBJECTIVES:
Provide Counselling and support to men in crises from all walks of life.