Category Archives: Events

2023 Homeless Count in New Westminster

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Help conduct anonymous surveys with people experiencing homelessness.

What is the Homeless Count?

The Homeless Count identifies people experiencing homelessness and engages them in a brief anonymous survey. The data collected is shared with government agencies, service providers, community groups, and funding organizations, for the purposes of developing programs that address homelessness. It’s also used as a measurement tool for tracking the rate of homelessness and the success of these programs.

Who is conducting the 2023 Homeless Count?

The 2023 Homeless Count in Metro Vancouver is an initiative of the Reaching Home Community Entity; Lu’ma Native Housing Society, and Community Advisory Board (CAB). The Homeless Count is delivered in partnership with the Indigenous Reaching Home Community Entity, the Indigenous Homelessness Steering Committee, the Council of Community Homelessness Tables, and Homelessness Services Association of BC. The New Westminster count is also delivered in partnership with the City of New Westminster and the New Westminster Homelessness Coalition Society.

How can you get involved?
Qualified volunteers are needed to help conduct the surveys. The street survey typically involves walking, biking or driving around a neighbourhood looking for individuals to survey. The shelter survey is conducted in various shelters across the region. Shifts range from two to seven hours, and volunteers work in teams of two. All volunteers will need to attend a training session on Monday Feb. 27, 6:30 – 8:30 pm, at Holy Trinity Cathedral. For a list of qualifications and the application form, visit the 2023 Homeless Count website.

Persons with lived experience of poverty and/or homelessness may apply for one of nine paid positions, at a rate of $35/hour.

Have questions?

For more information, contact Mariam Larson, Local Coordinator, 2023 Homeless Count: 604.515.1718 or NWCount2023@hsa-bc.ca

HAW 2022 – World Food Day Leave No One Behind Community Eatery Challenge

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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: NOON Wednesday September 21, 2022 

Need more information?  

Please contact Betina Wheeler, NWHCS Coalition & Projects Coordinator at newwesthcs@gmail.com

Homelessness Action Week (HAW) 2022

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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 challenge will 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