The Compassionate Committee for the Homeless in North Bay

The Compassionate Committee for the Homeless in North Bay The man had two plastic bags at his side, no doubt holding all that he owned. It is a spiritual calling.

The Compassionate Committee for the homeless of North Bay is a conduit between existing supports services and organizations that address the immediate needs of the near homeless and homeless, and the various church parishes and congregations. Compassionate Committee for the Homeless in North Bay

By: Leah Pierce, Chairperson

During an Executive meeting of the Pro-Cathedral of the Assumption Cat

holic Women’s League of Canada held in late October 2020, I shared a story of seeing a homeless person sleeping in a doorway of a downtown business. The Holy Spirit visited the women in the meeting and filled them with compassion and a call to action. Fatefully, a few days later the local media reported the findings of the Everyone Counts survey conducted in March which confirmed what we already knew, homelessness was on the rise in North Bay; and the fact that in the past 2 years it has risen 62% made it a crisis. Five members of the Executive decided it was time to reach out to other churches in the community to form a Compassionate Committee for the Homeless in North Bay. This committee would include at least (1) representative from each church located in the North Bay downtown and beyond. Fast forward to March 2021, the Compassionate Committee (what we call ourselves) has met twice, and our numbers have grown to seventeen volunteers including members from other CWL Councils in North Bay. It is evident that each committee member is passionate about addressing homelessness in North Bay. As a committee, we researched what services the churches already offer, asked existing support services and organizations what gaps they feel need filling to address the immediate needs of the homeless, established a year-long strategic plan based on the identified needs (i.e. blankets in the winter, tents in the summer), and educated the various church parishes/congregations as to the needs of the homeless through the Good Samaritan Corner in each of the churches’ bulletins, and encouraged them to support existing services and organizations through donations of clothing etc., monies and/or volunteering. Ultimately, the goal is to find permanent housing for the 293 individuals that were counted as homeless in March 2020. We understand that to accomplish this goal we need to research existing successful models that address homelessness such as Built for Zero Canada and the Suswin Village Project developed from the Suswin Navigator Support Program, provided by the North Bay Indigenous Friendship Centre. As well, to seek social justice, we will engage with community leadership. For instance, we have invited the chair of the District of Nipissing Social Services Administration Board to address the long-term needs of the homeless in North Bay, explain what we have found out through our research, and outline what models we think work best to address the homelessness crisis in North Bay. Please keep the members of the Compassionate Committee in your prayers!

Backpacks of Love were recently donated to the AIDS Committee of North Bay & Area by The Compassionate Committee for the...
06/15/2026

Backpacks of Love were recently donated to the AIDS Committee of North Bay & Area by The Compassionate Committee for the Homeless in North Bay. Left to right: Marie Wardle and Alanna Pigeau.

"The first step to empathy and compassion is realizing the similarities between yourself and those that are suffering," ...
06/15/2026

"The first step to empathy and compassion is realizing the similarities between yourself and those that are suffering," Oli Anderson.

Big shout out to my newest top fans! 💎 Sue Miller, Marcelle Beaulieu, Kenny DrysdaleDrop a comment to welcome them to ou...
06/13/2026

Big shout out to my newest top fans! 💎 Sue Miller, Marcelle Beaulieu, Kenny Drysdale

Drop a comment to welcome them to our community,

On Thursday evening, members of The Compassionate Committee for the Homeless in North Bay toured The Salvation Army of N...
06/12/2026

On Thursday evening, members of The Compassionate Committee for the Homeless in North Bay toured The Salvation Army of North Bay. Major Stepanie Watkinson, Corps Officer and Pastor, has been with the local Salvation Army since 2022. Located at 743 Main Street East, at the overpass, is an incredible hub that provides a place for people to connect, pray, learn, and find hope and compassion. Cooking classes, a food shelf, Thrift Store, and church services all happen under one roof!

06/09/2026
Kenny Drysdale, left, poses with staff from Northern Pines, located on Chippewa Street, while dropping off backpacks as ...
06/09/2026

Kenny Drysdale, left, poses with staff from Northern Pines, located on Chippewa Street, while dropping off backpacks as part of the Backpacks of Love campaign. "They were very thankful to receive the backpacks!"

Where attention goes, energy flows. Where intention goes, energy flows!
06/08/2026

Where attention goes, energy flows. Where intention goes, energy flows!

Compassion saves lives.
06/03/2026

Compassion saves lives.

"Leaning on others is a beautiful act of self-compassion," Sally Clarke
06/01/2026

"Leaning on others is a beautiful act of self-compassion," Sally Clarke

🌟 Congratulations to Tracy Clement! 🌟We are proud to recognize Tracy, a member of the Pro-Cathedral of the Assumption Ca...
05/27/2026

🌟 Congratulations to Tracy Clement! 🌟
We are proud to recognize Tracy, a member of the Pro-Cathedral of the Assumption Catholic Women’s League, as a recipient of the Unsung Hero Award at BayToday’s Community Builders Awards 2026. 👏
Through Tracy’s Heart and Hands, she leads a compassionate, volunteer-driven outreach supporting marginalized individuals across North Bay. From wellness checks and care packs to clothing, hygiene items, and genuine human connection—Tracy is making a real difference every single day. ❤️
Her work goes beyond meeting basic needs—she restores dignity, builds connections, and helps people access vital supports and reconnect with family.
What makes this even more powerful is that her work is inspired by her own family’s journey—turning hardship into meaningful action that lifts others.
Thank you, Tracy, for your compassion, strength, and dedication. Our community is better because of you. 💙

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North Bay, ON

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+17054725687

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