Homelessness

The inaugural Totes for Teens Hygiene Drive, a fundraiser for Chilliwack Cyrus Centre, is set for Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021. (Arnold Lim/ Black Press file)

Totes for Teens hygiene drive to bring essential items to homeless youth in Chilliwack

Goal of Cyrus Centre fundraiser to provide 100-plus youth with backpacks filled with essential items

 

Mission RCMP speak with a woman experiencing homelessness who found some shade in front of a local daycare. (Kevin Mills/Mission City Record)

Province to spend $12.3 million to develop 50 new modular homes in Mission

Mission Community Services Society to operate facility, $1.4 million to be provided annually

 

Joseph Sikora (far right) and his team of Street Thug Barbers deliver food to the homeless population in Abbotsford. (Submitted photo)

Abbotsford ‘haircut ministry’ provides food and hygiene to homeless population

Joseph Sikora and his Street Thug Barbers take to the streets

 

Dr. Alina Turner, president and co-founder of HelpSeeker Technologies, who is taking part in a federally funded project designed to predict what will happen to homelessness, suicide and domestic violence rates, is pictured at the company's office in Calgary, Alta., Friday, July 23, 2021.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

Where will homelessness rise or fall? A federally funded AI has some predictions

Helpseeker says numbers should help policy-makers decide on where to put resources

Dr. Alina Turner, president and co-founder of HelpSeeker Technologies, who is taking part in a federally funded project designed to predict what will happen to homelessness, suicide and domestic violence rates, is pictured at the company's office in Calgary, Alta., Friday, July 23, 2021.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
A survey of Penticton youth show that of those surveyed, over 23 per cent have experienced homelessness at some point. (File photo)

LETTER: Community is turning a blind eye to youth homelessness

‘I believe the saying goes “It takes a whole village to raise a child”’

  • Jul 9, 2021
A survey of Penticton youth show that of those surveyed, over 23 per cent have experienced homelessness at some point. (File photo)
Robert Nelson, 35, died after being stabbed at a homeless camp in Abbotsford on April 7 of this year.

Mom pleads for information about son’s killing at Abbotsford homeless camp

Robert Nelson, 35, described as ‘man who stood for justice, honour, respect’

Robert Nelson, 35, died after being stabbed at a homeless camp in Abbotsford on April 7 of this year.
Marilyn Farquhar in Abbotsford's Jubilee Park on June 5, standing in front of a grief quilt she made in remembrance of her brother, Barry Shantz. She gave an update on the pending investigation into her brother's death. John Morrow photos.

IIO report, stalled investigations frustrating sister of Abbotsford activist slain by RCMP

Barry Shantz was killed by RCMP officers during mental-health crisis on Jan. 13, 2020

Marilyn Farquhar in Abbotsford's Jubilee Park on June 5, standing in front of a grief quilt she made in remembrance of her brother, Barry Shantz. She gave an update on the pending investigation into her brother's death. John Morrow photos.
Marilyn Farquhar in Abbotsford’s Jubilee Park on June 5, standing in front of a grief quilt she made in remembrance of her brother, Barry Shantz. (John Morrow/Abbotsford News)

IIO report, stalled investigations frustrate sister of Abbotsford activist slain by RCMP

Barry Shantz was killed by RCMP officers during mental-health crisis on Jan. 13, 2020

Marilyn Farquhar in Abbotsford’s Jubilee Park on June 5, standing in front of a grief quilt she made in remembrance of her brother, Barry Shantz. (John Morrow/Abbotsford News)
The Portal homeless shelter on Yale Road in downtown Chilliwack on April 7, 2021. (Paul Henderson/ Chilliwack Progress file)

The Portal’s days are numbered in downtown Chilliwack

Homeless Shelter that faced opposition by neighbours closing its doors even earlier than expected

The Portal homeless shelter on Yale Road in downtown Chilliwack on April 7, 2021. (Paul Henderson/ Chilliwack Progress file)
Margaret Reid, program coordinator with United Way, with the last order of jackets, track pants, underwear and footwear heading to service providers to distribute to those experiencing homelessness. (Jennifer Feinberg/ The Chilliwack Progress)

Clothing and footwear piled high to outfit Chilliwack’s chronically homeless

‘This is something to help the long-term health outcomes of our community,’ says program co-ordinator

Margaret Reid, program coordinator with United Way, with the last order of jackets, track pants, underwear and footwear heading to service providers to distribute to those experiencing homelessness. (Jennifer Feinberg/ The Chilliwack Progress)
Still from a video posted on social media of a man lighting fireworks next to a homeless person’s encampment in the parking lot at St. Mary’s on Mary Street in Chilliwack. The video was posted on April 21, 2021 but it’s unclear if the incident happened that day. (Facebook)

VIDEO: Man sets off fireworks next to homeless person’s cart in Fraser Valley

No police reports made into incident shared on social media

Still from a video posted on social media of a man lighting fireworks next to a homeless person’s encampment in the parking lot at St. Mary’s on Mary Street in Chilliwack. The video was posted on April 21, 2021 but it’s unclear if the incident happened that day. (Facebook)
Still from a video posted on social media of a man lighting fireworks next to a homeless person’s encampment in the parking lot at St. Mary’s on Mary Street in Chilliwack. The video was posted on April 21, 2021 but it’s unclear if the incident happened that day. (Facebook)

VIDEO: Man sets off fireworks next to homeless person’s cart in Chilliwack

No police reports made into incident shared on social media

Still from a video posted on social media of a man lighting fireworks next to a homeless person’s encampment in the parking lot at St. Mary’s on Mary Street in Chilliwack. The video was posted on April 21, 2021 but it’s unclear if the incident happened that day. (Facebook)
Projects recently approved by council will tackle homelessness in Chilliwack. (Black Press file photo)

Latest projects taking on homelessness in Chilliwack focused on pandemic pivoting

4 key service providers will share a blended fund of almost $160,000 in Reaching Home funding

Projects recently approved by council will tackle homelessness in Chilliwack. (Black Press file photo)
Minister of Families, Children and Social Development Ahmed Hussen takes part in an update on the COVID pandemic during a press conference in Ottawa on October 27, 2020. The City of Vancouver says it has purchased a former hotel at a major thoroughfare that can house about 65 units to accommodate homeless people. A joint news release by the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation and city says 2075 Kingsway, Days Inn by Wyndham Vancouver, will be ready for accommodation this November. The Minister of Families, Children and Social Development Ahmed Hussen also announced a $51.5 million Rapid Housing Initiative for Vancouver that is expected to create 135 new affordable homes. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

Former Vancouver hotel to be converted to 65 units for homeless people by the fall

The former Days Inn on Kingsway will be ready to house people in November

Minister of Families, Children and Social Development Ahmed Hussen takes part in an update on the COVID pandemic during a press conference in Ottawa on October 27, 2020. The City of Vancouver says it has purchased a former hotel at a major thoroughfare that can house about 65 units to accommodate homeless people. A joint news release by the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation and city says 2075 Kingsway, Days Inn by Wyndham Vancouver, will be ready for accommodation this November. The Minister of Families, Children and Social Development Ahmed Hussen also announced a $51.5 million Rapid Housing Initiative for Vancouver that is expected to create 135 new affordable homes. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
Members of the Chilly Chilly Chilly Wack Wack Wack team take a break while taking part in the Coldest Night of the Year fundraiser Saturday, Feb. 20, 2021. (Submitted photo)

Chilliwack’s ‘Coldest Night’ walk raises nearly $60,000 for Ann Davis

Walkers raised funds to help support transition society’s work to house women fleeing relationships

Members of the Chilly Chilly Chilly Wack Wack Wack team take a break while taking part in the Coldest Night of the Year fundraiser Saturday, Feb. 20, 2021. (Submitted photo)
Mission firefighters approaching the homeless camp after dragging firehoses across the tracks. Patrick Penner / Mission Record.

Homeless-camp fire in Mission shuts down CP Rail line

Man seen being taken away from camp in handcuffs by Mission RCMP

Mission firefighters approaching the homeless camp after dragging firehoses across the tracks. Patrick Penner / Mission Record.
James, a homeless man, rests inside his new plywood structure on Thursday, Feb. 11, 2021. The box was made by members of the Chilliwack Fire Department. (Jenna Hauck/ Chilliwack Progress)

Same day well-known Chilliwack homeless man gets shelter built he is taken to hospital

Fraser Health doctor sent to assess James ordered him brought to CGH for proper assessment

James, a homeless man, rests inside his new plywood structure on Thursday, Feb. 11, 2021. The box was made by members of the Chilliwack Fire Department. (Jenna Hauck/ Chilliwack Progress)
James, a homeless man, rests inside his new plywood structure on Thursday, Feb. 11, 2021. The box was made by members of the Chilliwack Fire Department. (Jenna Hauck/ Chilliwack Progress)

Well-known Chilliwack homeless man says ‘thank you’ to firefighters for building him a shelter

Drivers on Vedder Road will recognize James who is grateful for the help to get out of the cold

James, a homeless man, rests inside his new plywood structure on Thursday, Feb. 11, 2021. The box was made by members of the Chilliwack Fire Department. (Jenna Hauck/ Chilliwack Progress)
Patti MacAhonic, executive director with Ann Davis Transition Society, and fellow staff member, Mary Jones, are getting ready for the Coldest Night of the Year fundraiser on Feb. 20, 2021. (Jenna Hauck/ Chilliwack Progress)

‘Coldest Night’ walk to raise money for homeless, vulnerable women and children in Chilliwack

This year’s Coldest Night of the Year walk will be benefitting Ann Davis Transition Society

Patti MacAhonic, executive director with Ann Davis Transition Society, and fellow staff member, Mary Jones, are getting ready for the Coldest Night of the Year fundraiser on Feb. 20, 2021. (Jenna Hauck/ Chilliwack Progress)
A message is written on a door outside a tent at a homeless encampment at Strathcona Park, in Vancouver, on Wednesday, October 7, 2020. Residents of the neighbourhood were used to a few people sleeping overnight in a park before moving on, but they weren’t prepared for an entire village of homeless campers still occupying 400 tents after over three months. They have been demanding the city take action to house campers, especially as concerns have mounted about the spread of COVID-19 among hundreds of people living in tight quarters. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Specialist who treated rare disease among homeless wants doctors to be aware of signs

Those four cases this year are the only ones known to have occurred in Canada since the mid-1990s

A message is written on a door outside a tent at a homeless encampment at Strathcona Park, in Vancouver, on Wednesday, October 7, 2020. Residents of the neighbourhood were used to a few people sleeping overnight in a park before moving on, but they weren’t prepared for an entire village of homeless campers still occupying 400 tents after over three months. They have been demanding the city take action to house campers, especially as concerns have mounted about the spread of COVID-19 among hundreds of people living in tight quarters. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck