Wednesday, October 29, 2014
Last week, students from the
Social Services Worker program at Vancouver Career College’s
Kelowna campus gathered together and organized a Feed the Homeless event to warm up the streets.
British Columbia’s homeless rate has drastically increased over the last decade. Counts recorded by the
Regional Steering Committee on Homelessness
(RSCH) indicate that from 2002 to 2014 in the Metro Vancouver area
alone, homelessness has increased by over 200 per cent with nearly 15
per cent of them being under the age of 25. While some may be fortunate
enough to stay overnight in emergency shelters, transition houses, or
safe houses – categorized as the sheltered homeless – over 300 people
are turned away from these facilities each night due to lack of space.
On October 21, students collected donations and distributed clothes
and blankets to over 200 people. They also set up tables near the campus
as well as City Hall to serve hot food and drinks to those in need. The
homeless rely not only on shelters but also on donations. Aside from
food, items such as blankets, sweaters, socks, and gloves will help
protect them from cold, wet conditions, something pneumonia thrives on.
Materials such as fleece and polyester are ideal since they are warm and
dry quickly. Find out what you can do to help those in need in your
community.
Visit our
Facebook page to see our students at work!