Local residents are being offered an inside view of the homelessness problem in our area.
The “Beat the Streets” youth homeless initiative is offering the public several local awareness events for the October 10-16 Homelessness Action Week.
The week kicks off with an open house on Tuesday, Oct. 11 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Building 272, 3089 - 272 Street, Aldergrove, hosted by Aldergrove Neighbourhood Services (ANS).
All members of the community are welcome to attend. At this event, ANS staff will provide information on the initiative and answer questions regarding homelessness in our community.
On Oct. 14 they will be hosting a Conversation Café. Aldergrove’s Milsean Shoppe has graciously donated their beautiful space at 272 Street and 29 Avenue to the organization to host this event.
“What we provide is free coffee or tea and a light snack in return for your opinion on homelessness in the Langleys. The conversation is social and ‘agenda-free’ with the goal of raising awareness and conversations around the issues of homelessness within our communities,” said Loren Roberts, Langley youth homelessness coordinator with ANS.
Another groundbreaking event will be taking place on the evening of Oct. 14. In partnership with Stepping Stones Community Services Society, the second annual “Homeless 4 a Night” workshop is open to students, professionals and community members over the age of 19.
This event will take place between 10 p.m. and 1 a.m. and provides participants with an eye-opening, firsthand look at homelessness, and information on local service providers.
To participate in the Conversation Café or Homeless 4 a Night workshop, or for more information on any of the Homelessness Action Week programming, contact Loren Roberts at 604-857-4662 or email loren@aldergrovens.com
Aldergrove Neighborhood Services would like to thank all of their partners and supporters within the Langley communities including: Langley Rotary, Aldergrove Rotary, Milsean Shoppe, Ministry of Child and Family Development, Centrepoint Community Services Society, Stepping Stones Community Services Society, Vancity, United Way and the Vancouver Foundation.
For more information on Homelessness Action Week events visit www.stophomelessness.ca