My name is Lorrice Williams, a native of St. Thomas, Ontario, Canada, now residing in Calgary, Alberta. Our beautiful hometown of St. Thomas is facing a crisis that is not only sweeping our streets but also invading our lives. My eldest daughter, like many in our community, was battling mental health issues, drug addiction, and has been a victim of domestic violence. Despite her struggles, our community and those with the power to effect change failed her, offering minimal resources for addiction recovery, mental health treatment, and safe housing. Natasha Lynnette Brown was found dead at 9 Station ST . on March 21 2021 . Keyah Anne Marie Burke my youngest daughter struggled in our community being denied the medical assistance and income support for safe housing . Like my two daughters other parents in this community have received that dreaded phone call that our children are dead . I started a group called Moms@work with my eldest daughter Natasha Brown sharing her struggles and Advocating for proper assessments for the sufferers . I flew back to ST. Thomas one year after my first daughters death and with the assistance from the residents of ST Thomas that have either lost their own or are living with the Addict or suffering from mental health issues we reached out to the MPP Karen Armstrong from London Ontario and Grace Cafee Kitchen and the local police whom refused to support Moms@work March we did not give up we had the march . Since my first daughters death I had to put Moms@work on the shelf as I was diagnosed with a rare Caner PLCH and recently in 2024 again diagnosed with Lentigo Melanoma . On July 13 2024 Keyah my youngest suffering her addiction and mental health , had not recovered from the sudden death of her older sister Natasha this community and its lack of professionalism and the lack of compassion and knowledge have put the damaged out on the streets like garbage with limited resources and 100 percent practices of the catch and release program of dangerous offenders . Your City Counsel have failed you your children the tax payors the right to walk the streets without fear . I have made a decision to move back to my home town in the name of my daughters to continue the fight that moms@work began in 2019 . I cant do it without the support from the residents that have grown up here this is your home you must stand up lay the negative words for those that suffer stop the stigma demand a counsel meeting in your arenas . I will do my part as your public  speaker and push for the city to reopen ST Thomas Pyhciatric Hospital forensic ward turning it into a center that can offer support for the homeless the addict the mental health patient . 

Stop the insanity 

Stop the stigma 

Stop catch and release

Drug addiction and mental health disorders, tied ever so closely with instances of domestic violence, have transformed our serene community into a danger zone. This crisis goes beyond the suffering of individuals; it threatens the safety and well-being of all St. Thomas residents. It is disheartening that our Mayor and the hierarchy at City Hall are turning a blind eye to those in need, further perpetuating a pervasive stigma around these conditions.

It is time for St. Thomas to come together and take a stand. We urge our City Hall representatives to stop the neglecting addiction, mental health, and domestic violence issues that are tearing apart the fabric of our community. We must draw upon our shared empathy, increase resources and funding, and foster an environment of support and understanding in St. Thomas.

We demand more addiction recovery centers, mental health clinics, and safe havens for domestic violence victims. Let's work together to enact change and stop the spread of the stigma around these conditions in our community. Sign this petition and join in making St. Thomas a safe and supportive home for all its residents once again.