What’s Homelessness Action Week all about?
Homelessness Action Week, taking place in New West from Oct. 7 to 14, strives to create public awareness and understanding about the issue of homelessness in Greater Vancouver.
Homelessness Action Week is designed to create opportunities to:
- Build local community support for solutions to homelessness by raising public awareness, decreasing stigma and increasing understanding of homelessness
- Engage local organizations who support those who are homeless or at risk
- Support increased access to programs, services, and basic needs items
- Develop important social connections and a sense of belonging for everyone in the community
Throughout the week, a variety of events are being held for folks who are unhoused or are at risk of homelessness, as well as members of the general public.
“HAW provides us with an opportunity to offer additional activities that provide supports (i.e., food, basic needs items, etc.) to vulnerable community members and also create opportunities for the broader community to engage,” said Betina Wheeler of the New Westminster Homelessness Coalition. “They can learn about homelessness issues, the organizations in the community that are working so hard day-in and day-out and what their needs are, and what we should be advocating for to address homelessness, lack of housing and housing affordability in the community.”
What kind of events are happening?
Meals – including burrito brunches, a dinner by the St. Vincent de Paul society, and the Union Gospel Mission’s annual Thanksgiving Day meal – are being offered during Homelessness Action Week.
Throughout the week, the Purpose Society will be hosting a warm clothing and blanket drive. New or gently used warm clothing and blankets can be dropped off at 40 Begbie St. (9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.) or at the rear of the building on Alexander Street (3 to 10 p.m.)
Connect Day returns to Holy Trinity hall on Tuesday, Oct. 10. It’s the day where folks can enjoy a burrito breakfast from 8 to 9 a.m. and access a variety of services: free clothing (9 to 11:30 a.m.); COVID-19, flu and other vaccines (9:15 to 11 a.m.); and information and giveaways from local service providers, coffee and cookies, and more (9 a.m. to noon.)
Other services being offered during the week include free haircuts (Oct. 12), laundry services through Laundry Love New West (Oct. 11), and a UBC dental hygiene clinic (Oct 11).
A full calendar of all of the week’s events can be found on the New Westminster Homelessness Coalition’s website.
Did someone say party?
An It’s All About Community party is taking place at the Holy Trinity Hall – and you’re invited.
The free, family-friendly party features music, dancing, food and more. It’s on Friday, Oct. 13 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at 514 Carnarvon St. (Doors open at 6:15 p.m.)
The party is about fun, said Wheeler, who encourages community members to come out and enjoy some apple cider, food, interactive entertainment, crafts and to meet people from the neighbourhood.
“It's all about community, getting to know people you might not normally have an opportunity to engage with in a relaxed environment, and having conversations that might not normally happen otherwise,” she said.
Opportunities to learn:
The New Westminster Homelessness Coalition is also encouraging community members to learn about homelessness and related issues by attending some of events happening during Homelessness Action Week. In addition to attending the community party, here are some ways you can get involved:
- Attend the second annual Storytelling Walk: Homelessness in New Westminster on Saturday, Oct. 7 – part of the kickoff to Homelessness Action Week. It’s being led by the homelessness coalition and the New Westminster Museum and Archives. It’s free but pre-registration is required by calling 604-527-4640.
- Check out the Changing the Conversation art exhibit at Anvil Centre, which is showcasing work done by artists in residence and local community members who experience housing insecurity. It’s running in the Community Art Gallery at Anvil Centre, 777 Columbia St., until Nov. 22.
- Visit the Housing Values exhibit at the New Westminster Museum and Archives, which looks at local housing from a historical perspective, with an economic and cultural lens. It’s running until April 2024 at the museum and archives in Anvil Centre. (The coalition supported this exhibit by having one of its volunteers talk to unhoused folks in the community about their experiences – with their words captured for a section of the exhibit.)
- Attend a public talk – Making Connections to Counter Loneliness and Empower Community – by Jim Diers, a speaker, facilitator, author and activator who supports the development of caring, inclusive and powerful communities. Wheeler heard Diers speak at a conference in Edmonton, which is where the idea of the community party originated. At the Oct. 10 sessions at noon and 6:30 p.m., he’ll be presenting his unique strategies for engaging the community to combat loneliness and build a sense of community.
- Watch Portmore Park, a film short by local filmmaker Ezra King about aspersions people have about the unhoused and who they are. It’s screening at the library on Thursday, Oct. 12. The event, which will be followed by a Q&A with the filmmaker, is at the New Westminster Public Library, 716 Sixth Ave., from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. (doors open at 6:15 p.m.)
And the award goes to?
The three nominees of the first-ever Community Catalyst Award, a partnership between the homelessness coalition and the chamber of commerce, will be announced on Oct. 12. The New Westminster Chamber of Commerce will announce the winners of this year’s recipient at the Platinum Awards ceremony on Nov. 23.
“We developed the award to put a spotlight on a business or organization that has contributed significantly to a vulnerable population in New Westminster,” Wheeler said. “My hope is that the award will highlight how businesses in the community can play a role is supporting vulnerable community members and more will engage with the community to ask how they can support our work.”
Where can I get more information?
New Westminster Homelessness Coalition (including Homelessness Action Week details and info about its new Inform, Engage and Advocate information series
City of New Westminster’s homelessness action strategy
