This Windsor woman is on a personal mission to help the homeless

Lynne Gagne can't remember the first homeless person she helped. There's been so many. But a few months ago, something clicked. She could no longer ignore the poverty and homelessness in her downtown Windsorneighbourhood.

She's become an unofficial outreach worker of sorts for the city's homeless. Almost every night, she gets into her blue Pontiac Pursuitlooking for those who have nowhere to sleep.

If that was me, I would want somebody to put a jacket and a hat on my head.- Lynne Gagne

"I knew if I went out late at night and I knew if I went out in the morning, I would always come across people in need. So sometimes I'm not driving out there purposely to go and find them. I'm on my way somewhere and as I drive by I'll see them huddled and freezing and cold," saidGagne.

Her Pontiac is stocked with hats, gloves, bottled water and snacks. She hands it out to whoever she meets until it's gone.

"If that was me, I would want somebody to put a jacket and a hat on my head and give me a little money so I could get something to eat or something to drink, or the drug of my choice to give me relief. I make them known that it doesn't matter how you spend the money, as long as it brings you comfort. I'm good with that," saidGagne.

Gagne is driven by her faith and her desire to help those who are struggling. She's hopeful that if she can shinea light on people who are homeless, change will come.

Earlier in March, she invited CBC News to accompany her on one of her outreach drives. Within the first hour, she stops and talks with at least six people who are living on the streets. Two of them explain it was addiction that took them there.

"Like I got relapsed. I started doing drugs and... it's been hard since then," saidMustafa Malih.

Beau Wellman says it was drugs and bad life choices that landed him without a place to live.

Lynne Gagne hits the streets to help those in need

2 years ago

Duration 1:18

Watch as Lynne Gagne provides supplies and support to those experiencing homelessness in Windsor even giving one man the coat off her back.

It's below zero. Wellman is visibly shivering. Gagnegives him the hat offer her head. It's pink with a pompom. She's dressed in layers. She removes her top jacket and puts in on Wellman.

He said he's lost 60 friends todrug overdoses, including his best friend. Wellmanuses fentantyl and crystal meth, but says he has it under control.

"Like, I do drugs, but I don't let drugs do me, you know?Like, I still maintain some sort of composure, you know. Like, my life is a mess. But it's not that bad," saidWellman.

Gagne said there have been times where she's come across people who have had enough and want to go to detox. Gagne has the detox centre on speed dial. But every time she's called, there have been no free beds.

Living on disability, Gagne does not have a lot. But she's willing to share what she does have. Before she says goodbye to Wellman she gives him a $10 bill, telling him to get a good meal.

"They need respect and they need compassion and they need solutions.And there aren't any. There aren't enough."

When asked how long Gagne will keep up with her outreach, she responded, "until I die."

"Until there's no more people left on the street."