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What have we done… The coroner’s report says more homeless people are dying than ever before. What have we done… The increasing number of deaths among the homeless population in British Columbia, Canada, and specifically on Vancouver Island, is undoubtedly a pressing concern that requires immediate attention and action. Numerous factors, including lack of affordable housing, mental health issues, substance abuse, and systemic inadequacies in social support systems, have likely contributed to this tragic situation. Addressing this issue will require a multi-faceted approach. First and foremost, there needs to be a concerted effort to provide safe and affordable housing for the homeless population, along with the necessary support services to help them address their underlying issues. Mental health and addiction support programs must be expanded and made readily accessible to those in need. Additionally, efforts should be made to tackle the root causes of homelessness, such as poverty and unemployment, through targeted social policies and economic initiatives. Furthermore, collaboration between government agencies, non-profit organizations, and community groups is crucial in order to implement effective solutions. This could involve increased funding for homelessness prevention programs, coordination of outreach efforts, and the development of comprehensive strategies to address the complex needs of the homeless population. Public awareness and advocacy are also essential in effecting change. By raising awareness about the plight of the homeless and advocating for policy reforms, communities can encourage meaningful action and support for those most vulnerable. Ultimately, addressing the rising deaths in homelessness requires a collective and compassionate response from all levels of society. It is imperative that we come together to find sustainable solutions that prioritize the well-being and dignity of every individual, regardless of their housing status. Click here to see this article as it appeared in the PQB News.

Click here to see the story posted online at PQB News. The recent cold snap was a difficult time for people living without sufficient heating or water in precarious housing in the Parksville Qualicum Beach region. Residents live in trailers — cramped quarters in some cases only eight feet by eight feet. Some don’t have access to basic amenities like a bathroom or kitchen. Dave (name changed to protect his privacy) is 60 years old and said he has been homeless in the past, so he is thankful to have a place to stay indoors. “I’ve been to the bottom and I’ve lived picking cans, $5 a day,” he said. His home was very cold at night, but would have been worse without a space heater he was given by the Manna Homeless Society outreach team. He’s been fixing up his trailer himself as best he can, gradually putting in new flooring and making other repairs. “It’s a start, it’s a beginning. I’m stuck at the beginning, but it’s fine,” he said. “It’s better than under the beginning. It’s a good place to stay.” It was a brutal couple of nights for Sarah (name also changed to protect her privacy), who did not have a space heater at the start of the cold snap. She was given one by her landlord during the weekend, which helped. “A little bit of a difference. Like when it was really, really cold in here, I could not stay awake. I was going down, and it felt like I was having hypothermia,” she said. “It was really cold in here. You could see your own breath.” She has lived in a trailer for more than 30 years and in that time has known many people who have died from drug toxicity. “I heard yelling and screaming and I thought, ‘well OK, I’ll go help this girl’,” she said. “She took me right down there and I walked into something that I didn’t expect. There was a man on the floor, dead. And for a person that has never experienced that situation, and I hope I never have to do it again. I can’t get him out of the back of my mind.” READ MORE:  Point-in-time count reveals unhoused numbers for PQB region Sarah was previously homeless and addicted to crack cocaine, but said she has been clean for decades. She’s noticed more and more homeless people arriving in the area lately. “There’s more and more people that need more help out there than what I do,” she said. “But I need help and I want to get into low-income housing.” She is grateful for support from the Manna outreach team, which provides food, transportation (bikes), laundry vouchers, hygienic supplies, clothing, rain gear, outdoor survival equipment and mobile medical assistance. Living in difficult conditions exacerbates medical problems such as diabetes, according to Raquel Molina, a foot care nurse who volunteers with Manna. “The feet are a big deal because they’re often wet and cold,” she said. “It’s actually hard for me to peel somebody’s boots off because they’re embarrassed because they haven’t had a shower for so long.” If Molina sees someone limping, she insists on examining the condition of their feet. People who aren’t able to keep their feet dry can end up with skin problems, she said, with their skin peeling off or becoming cracked and sore. “I was also just talking with a guy who’s about to have knee surgery and he lives in the woods, so you can imagine trying to convalesce from that,” Molina said. “He might try to beg and borrow a bed for a little while, I don’t know. In February he’s having knee surgery. I think a big part of that is people coming out and not having a place even to stay warm and dry.” Manna volunteers in the area also recently found several people “lying on the floor in an ailing state,” attributed to dehydration due to the lack of a needed water source, according to Robin Campbell, president of the Manna society.

Jerrold and Fred with new trike and trailer for Fred’s bottle pick-up business. Comes with lock, chain and flag for bike.

Thanks to Cindy for sharing her talents!

Thanks to the Bahai community for dropping by with a load of great items for the less fortunate . Nora Moore , Andrew Cotton , Sherwood Moore

Evelyn and Pastor Mark Smith of Our Saviour Lutheran Church present a cheque for $1,857.69 which they raised in a fundraiser

At the Manna van site this past Saturday morning in downtown Parksville, an enthusiastic group of Hair Stylist students and Licensed Practical Nursing students from Vancouver Island University suddenly appeared. They set up shop on the spot, with a large covered stainless steel pot, keeping water hot over a propane stove. This was all done to give free shampoos, haircuts and shaves to our friends on the street who are unable to afford this right now. They also came with some hot coffee and some fresh veggies and sandwiches for snacks. Through some fundraising that they had previously done, they also presented Manna with a cheque. What a wonderful group of people. It did all our hearts good to see them and all of their efforts were much appreciated by all!

Middle school girls group from Living Hope Community Church hand out gift bags they prepared