Connecting People to the right support at the right time.
Quick Connect is a partnership between the Mobile Integrated Team (MIT) and the Thunder Bay Police Service (TBPS), funded by the District of Thunder Bay Social Services Administration Board through the Community Homelessness Prevention Program.
Through the TBPS Social Navigator, police officers are able to refer people age 16 and older directly to MIT. Referrals go to MIT when police intervention is not required, but the person is:
- Struggling or in distress
- Reluctant to engage with services
- Falling through service gaps
- Experiencing various degrees of homelessness
Quick Connect provides a prompt response (24 – 72 hours), aimed at mitigating potential crises by addressing a person’s immediate basic needs, such as:
- Social supports and community navigation
- Service connections or reconnections
- Cultural and housing connections
- Food, clothing, and transportation
The goal of Quick Connect is to prevent outcomes such as criminalization, victimization, or harm that could otherwise result in emergency system involvement.
A key factor in Quick Connects success is the collaboration between the Social Navigator and MIT. The Social Navigator bridges communication between Police officers and MIT to ensure referrals are appropriate and together they coordinate time-limited wraparound support and provide follow-up as needed.
Quick Connect emphasizes collaboration and trust with all community partners, recognizing their integral role in supporting people with immediate and complex needs.
Together, the Mobile Integrated Team and Thunder Bay Police Service are committed to reducing barriers and silos, ensuring people in our community have improved access to timely, compassionate, and effective support.
I would like to start by expressing my deepest gratitude for all your kindness, understanding, support and generosity in a time of great need from Nathan, Nicole and Lutheran Community Care.
I am a retired elder of 70 yrs., living on a fixed income and it being near the end of the month I had no funds to take care of my essential needs. The circumstances were: I was renting a room and paying by the week awaiting the renovations/maintenance of my apartment to be complete. There was a ten-day delay. With no notice they broke our agreement to pay weekly and insisted I pay a daily rental fee (Which I could not). Connecting with Nicole and Nathan from Lutheran Community Care was a blessing and I was able to have shelter from the Motel that was offered. The Lutheran Community Care took care of me with such respect and dignity. This experience left no room for feelings of failure and shame. I felt completely supported.
I am forever grateful especially to Nicole and Nathan for facilitating the support towards my situation.
Funding for the Social Services Program provided by
