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!

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. 💙

05/25/2026

🏆 Huge congratulations to Tracy Clement! 🏆

​A member of the Pro-Cathedral of the Assumption The Catholic Women’s League of Canada, Tracy has been named the recipient of the Unsung Hero Award, part of BayToday.ca's Community Builders Award 2026! 👏❤️

​Tracy, the creator and operator of Tracy’s Heart and Hands, alongside her dedicated group of volunteers, continues to demonstrate immense compassion and dedication to helping the marginalized in North Bay. Her volunteer-based mobile outreach reaches every area of our city, bringing vital hope and dignity to unhoused and displaced individuals who are so often overlooked.

​Through wellness checks, care packs, clothing, hygiene items, drinks, and thoughtful support, Tracy offers far more than just the essentials—she offers true friendship, genuine care, and human connection. Her commitment to supporting individuals, linking them to vital services, and helping them reconnect with their families makes a meaningful and lasting difference in countless lives.

​The fact that Tracy’s Heart and Hands was born out of her own family’s personal experience speaks volumes about her empathy and strength. Tracy has turned hardship into compassion in action, and our community is truly a better place because of it. 🌟
​"The Unsung Hero award celebrates an individual or group whose tireless work and/or volunteer efforts in our community seek to improve the lives of others. The recipients of this award exemplify the spirit of generosity, compassion and civic responsibility, consistently going above and beyond to create a positive impact in our community, both now and for the future."
​

Congratulations to Tracy Clement, a member of the Pro-Cathedral of the Assumption The Catholic Women’s League of Canada,...
05/25/2026

Congratulations to Tracy Clement, a member of the Pro-Cathedral of the Assumption The Catholic Women’s League of Canada, as the recipient of the Unsung Hero Award, part of Baytoday.ca's Community Builders Award 2026.

Tracy, creator and operator of Tracy’s Heart and Hands, and armed with a group of volunteers, continues to demonstrate compassion and dedication to help the marginalized in North Bay. Her volunteer-based mobile outreach, which reaches every area of our city, brings hope and dignity to unhoused and displaced individuals who are so often overlooked.

Through her wellness checks, care packs, clothing, hygiene items, drinks, and thoughtful support, she offers far more than essentials—she offers friendship, genuine care, and human connection. Tracy’s commitment to supporting individuals and linking them to vital services and reconnecting with their families makes a meaningful and lasting difference in countless lives.

The fact that Tracy’s Heart and Hands was created from her own family’s personal experience speaks volumes about her empathy and strength. Tracy has turned hardship into compassion in action, and our community is better because of it.

From the program: The Unsung Hero award celebrates an individual or group whose tireless work and/or volunteer efforts in our community seek to improve the lives of others. The recipients of this award exemplifies the spirit of generosity, compassion and civic responsibility, consistently going above and beyond to create a positive impact in our community, both now and for the future.

05/25/2026

Congratulations to Tracy Clement, as the recipient of the Unsung Hero Award, part of Baytoday.ca's Community Builders Award 2026.

Tracy is a dear friend of the Compassionate Committee since 2021 when we knew her through Boots on the Ground.

Tracy, creator and operator of Tracy’s Heart and Hands, and armed with a group of volunteers, continues to demonstrate compassion and dedication to help the marginalized in North Bay. Her volunteer-based mobile outreach, which reaches every area of our city, brings hope and dignity to unhoused and displaced individuals who are so often overlooked.

Through her wellness checks, care packs, clothing, hygiene items, drinks, and thoughtful support, she offers far more than essentials—she offers friendship, genuine care, and human connection. Tracy’s commitment to supporting individuals and linking them to vital services and reconnecting with their families makes a meaningful and lasting difference in countless lives.

The fact that Tracy’s Heart and Hands was created from her own family’s personal experience speaks volumes about her empathy and strength. Tracy has turned hardship into compassion in action, and our community is better because of it.

From the program: The Unsung Hero award celebrates an individual or group whose tireless work and/or volunteer efforts in our community seek to improve the lives of others. The recipients of this award exemplifies the spirit of generosity, compassion and civic responsibility, consistently going above and beyond to create a positive impact in our community, both now and for the future.

Send a message to learn more

"More smiling, less worrying. More compassion, less judgement. More blessed, less stressed. More love, less hate," Roy T...
05/25/2026

"More smiling, less worrying. More compassion, less judgement. More blessed, less stressed. More love, less hate," Roy T. Bennett.

Congratulations to Tracy Clement, on behalf of The Compassionate Committee for the Homeless in North Bay, as the recipie...
05/25/2026

Congratulations to Tracy Clement, on behalf of The Compassionate Committee for the Homeless in North Bay, as the recipient of the Unsung Hero Award, as part of Baytoday.ca's Community Builders Award 2026.

Tracy is a dear friend of the Compassionate Committee since 2021 when we knew her through Boots on the Ground.

Now that Tracy has struck out on her own with the creation of Tracy’s Heart and Hands, armed with a group of volunteers, she continues to demonstrate compassion and dedication to help the marginalized in North Bay. Her volunteer-based mobile outreach, which reaches every area of our city, brings hope and dignity to unhoused and displaced individuals who are so often overlooked.

Through her wellness checks, care packs, clothing, hygiene items, drinks, and thoughtful support, she offers far more than essentials—she offers friendship, genuine care, and human connection. Tracy’s commitment to supporting individuals and linking them to vital services and reconnect with their families makes a meaningful and lasting difference in countless lives.

The fact that Tracy’s Heart and Hands was created from her own family’s personal experience speaks volumes about her empathy and strength. Tracy has turned hardship into compassion in action, and our community is better because of it.

From the program: The Unsung Hero award celebrates an individual or group whose tireless work and/or volunteer efforts in our community seek to improve the lives of others. The recipients of this award exemplifies the spirit of generosity, compassion and civic responsibility, consistently going above and beyond to create a positive impact in our community, both now and for the future.

Congratulations to Tracy Clement, Tracy's Heart and Hands, recipient of today's Unsung Hero Award as part of the Baytoda...
05/21/2026

Congratulations to Tracy Clement, Tracy's Heart and Hands, recipient of today's Unsung Hero Award as part of the Baytoday.ca Community Builders Awards. The Compassionate Committee for the Homeless in North Bay was a humble contributor to Tracy's nomination.

Tracy is a dear friend of the Compassionate Committee since 2021 when we knew her through her work with Boots on the Ground.

Now that Tracy has struck out on her own with the creation of Tracy’s Heart and Hands, armed with a group of volunteers, she continues to demonstrate compassion and dedication to help the marginalized in North Bay. Her volunteer-based mobile outreach, which reaches every area of our city, brings hope and dignity to unhoused and displaced individuals who are so often overlooked.

Through her wellness checks, care packs, clothing, hygiene items, drinks, and thoughtful support, she offers far more than essentials—she offers friendship, genuine care, and human connection. Tracy’s commitment to supporting individuals and linking them to vital services and reconnect with their families makes a meaningful and lasting difference in countless lives.

The fact that Tracy’s Heart and Hands was created from her own family’s personal experience speaks volumes about her empathy and strength. Tracy has turned hardship into compassion in action, and our community is better because of it.

You are God's hands and feet, Tracy. Bless you!

05/19/2026

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North Bay, ON

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+17054725687

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