Beauchamp seeks feedback on battling homelessness

• Call & Times
• 28 Feb 2025
• By JON BAKER jbaker@pawtuckettimes.com

WOONSOCKET – During a seminar entitled “The State of Woonsocket Healthcare” at Landmark Medical on Wednesday morning, both Landmark CEO Mike Souza and Thundermist Health Center COO Matt Roman also spoke about the issue of homelessness in the city, and Souza said that medical personnel are trained to ask if they believe someone is homeless and ask them certain questions. They include if they’re having problems paying for their rent or food; the last time they ate a meal; if they have a place to go after treatment; and more.

If the answer is yes to any of those queries, Souza said the staff directs them to a new food pantry at the hospital where people can gain all sorts of nutritional items, including produce, canned foods, frozen foods, milk, fresh meats, etc. He estimated the pantry to be about the same size as the Christiansen Conference Center not far from the main entrance, and it has refrigerators and storage areas.

The pantry is open not only to homeless people but also employees who may be having problems making ends meet. An employee manning the pantry simply gives the person a bag and they may choose what they want to bring with them, no questions asked. In addition, he stated homeless people are also given an orange bag that is filled with healthy granola bars, other foods, socks, toothpaste and the like to help them.

The word “homelessness” does not sit easy with Mayor Chris Beauchamp, who praised Souza and Roman for the work they have done and do with the homeless.

“One of the biggest challenges we have right now in the city, and we all see it, is homelessness,” he told the crowd at the seminar. “Thanks to (City Councilwoman) Valerie (Gonzalez) and other partners on the council and throughout the city, we have three places where people can go – the Dignity Bus, the wellness center and the men’s Harvest site.

“We didn’t have those before, not all of them, so now we’re going to homeless encampments and we’re telling people that with Community Care Alliance and other community partners, they have options,” he added. “To me, that’s what it’s all about in the city of Woonsocket – creating options for people to help them get on a better, healthier path.

“Years ago, that wasn’t always the case. I’m not saying that’s going to be a permanent solution, but at least it’s a solution or a start to somebody who’s unhoused.”

He mentioned the frigid cold snap this region experienced just a couple of weeks ago.

“I just can’t imagine being out in that cold and trying to survive; it’s just incredible what these people go through,” he said. “There are some people in this community who just think, ‘Let them stay out there and do whatever.’ We can’t do that. We can’t be like that. That wasn’t the way I was brought up, and that’s not the way I’m going to govern.”

Beauchamp also asked everyone who was present, especially the public servants, to tell people that his door is always open, and that if they would like to speak to him, all they have to do is call his office. That number is (401) 7679247 and ask his secretary, Susan Gaulin, if he’s in. If he’s not, he’ll find a way to call you back or a time to meet with him to discuss any possible remedies.

That includes individuals and groups.

“I strongly encourage anyone to come visit me and share your thoughts and ideas,” he said. “I want to talk to you.”