Welcome to the website of the New Westminster Homelessness Coalition Society. The members of the NWHCS envision a world where every individual experiences a socially just quality of life.
Our long-term mission is to collaborate, educate, and act to ensure access to healthy safe housing and supportive services in New Westminster.
The Coalition incorporated in January of 2012 and became a society on May 31, 2012, in order to better succeed in our long-term mission to help those in need in New Westminster. So, officially, we are now the New Westminster Homelessness Coalition Society or NWHCS.
World Food Day – Leave No One Behind Community Eatery Challenge
World Food Day, October 16th, was established in 1981 to spread awareness about world hunger, poverty, and to inspire change and is celebrated in 150 countries worldwide. This year’s theme is “Leave No One Behind… Better Production, Better Nutrition, a Better Environment and a Better Life”.
“2022 finds us with an ongoing pandemic, conflict, a climate that won’t stop warming, rising prices and international tensions; all of which are affecting global food security. So, we need to inspire governments, communities, and individuals to support the development of a sustainable world where everyone, everywhere has regular access to enough nutritious food.” FAO
With this in mind, the New Westminster Homelessness Coalition Society, as part of their continued work in addressing community food security issues, is recognizing World Food Day on October 16th with the Leave No One Behind Community Eatery Challenge as part of Homelessness Action Week (HAW), October 8 – 16, 2022.
The challenge will invite community members to visit local eateries to support local business while also providing them with an opportunity to raise funds for community food security initiatives that provide access to food, training, and other opportunities. What will be supported will depend on the amount of funds raised.
How the promotion will work: Between Oct 8-16, 2022, participating eateries ask their customers to contribute to the challenge. It is up to every business to decide the amount to collect and how.
Eateries could:
Identify a particular food item and a % of the proceeds that will be donated from it
Ask customers to add a set amount to their bill (i.e., $1.00)
Set up a collection can at the counter
What is provided: Signage for each eatery to post to inform customers of their participation. All participating businesses will also be highlighted in World Food Day and HAW promotional materials.
How to participate: It is as simple as filling out the registration form (https://forms.gle/BohqVRL4FpdG5NPA9) and letting us know how you want your customers to contribute. Once your information has been received, we will follow up with you to answer any questions you may have.
Registration Deadline: NOONWednesday September 21, 2022
The Community Engagement Working Group has been hard at work planning this years activities and we think it is going to be the best HAW yet!
Saturday October 8th – HAW Kick off at Holy Trinity Cathedral – Community brunch, giveaways, storytelling walk…
Sunday October 9th – no activities – Thanksgiving
Monday October 10th – Thanksgiving Meal at Union Gospel Mission
Tuesday October 11 – Community Breakfast, CONNECT Day, Holy Trinity Clothing Boutique, Flu shots…
Wednesday October 12 – Two Pay Cheques Away New West Pilot – FREE haircuts, Film Night…
Thursday October 13 – Community Connections Agency Walk
Friday October 14 – HAW in Hyack Square – Learn about the new Homelessness Action Strategy, UGM Community Van…
Saturday October 15 – no activities – Municipal Election Day
Sunday October 16 – Pasta Amazing Community Lunch
We would like to express our appreciation to Leona at Greens and Beans in Sapperton who is fundraising all of September for HAW. Proceeds raised will support the purchase of basic needs items that will be distributed during HAW!
We are also inviting all local eateries to participate in the Leave No One Behind Community Eatery Challenge from October 8 – 16 in recognition of World Food Day on October 16th.The challengewill invite community members to visit eateries to support local business while also providing the businesses with an opportunity to raise funds for community food security initiatives that provide access to food, training and other opportunities. What will be supported will depend on the amount of money raised. Between Oct 8-16, participating eateries can choose how their customers can contribute. We will promote the Eatery’s during HAW on social media and in our promo. We have one restaurant already that plans to set up a collection a can at their counter and also donate 5% of food sales during the week. Eateries can register here.
If you would like to get involved in anyway please reach out to Betina, Coalition and Projects Coordinator
Would you like to be on the Board of the New Westminster Homelessness Coalition Society?
Since 2005 we have been working to address homelessness issues in the City, first as a Coalition and then as a Society when we incorporated in 2012. Our vision is a community where everyone experiences a socially just quality of life. Our long-term mission is to collaborate, educate, and act to ensure access to healthy safe housing and supportive services. Our member organizations deliver housing, outreach, food, job training, crisis intervention, financial assistance, and programming for Individuals, families, youth and seniors. They witness first-hand the day-to-day challenges of poverty and homelessness in our community. This connection and awareness allows us to work together to support our most vulnerable. Our Board is key in supporting Society staff and our work.
The Society, in recognition of its history as a Coalition, strives to ensure that a diversity of agencies/organizations and community members sit as Board members. Additionally, we strive to include representation from organizations/ community members representing different demographics (i.e., women, families, youth, seniors, men, newcomers, BIPOC, LGBTQ2S+, etc.) and issues (i.e., housing, health, addictions, food security, etc.). We are interested in individuals who are knowledgeable about the community, can serve as a link to the community, and are interested in sharing their time and expertise to support society operations.
Please provide complete this form if you are interested in becoming a Board Member. Our next AGM is on September 29, 2022. We will be meeting with those who express interest in August.
