WESTLOCK – Homelessness is everywhere including in Westlock and there are supports for people in need.
“Homelessness describes a situation of an individual, family or community without stable safe permanent appropriate housing, or the immediate prospect means an ability of acquiring it,” said Sylvia Yoder, director of the Hope Resource Centre.
A Homeless Coalition Committee was initiated in 2022 and is working on addressing some of the hard problems around homelessness.
Tracy Proulx, Executive Director of Westlock FCSS, facilitated putting out an offer to all agencies for seed money to take up homeless care for a year funded by the Tri-Council of the Town of Westlock, Westlock County and the Village of Clyde.
“Having that one central person really just made sense in the community rather than having multiple agencies providing services,” said Proulx.
“We were shocked that she (Yoder) could stretch it (seed money) over 2 winters.”
Yoder stepped up and offered an immediate bandage solution while the committee worked on longer-term plans.
“I presented a model to the municipalities, Hope for the Homeless, two years ago as a result of two lives lost due to weather conditions,” said Yoder.
“It's a person-centered approach, developing a support program for each referred individual based on their needs. It's culturally appropriate services, trauma informed care with a harm reduction philosophy.”
The circumstances that produce unhoused individuals includes domestic violence, a lack of affordable and appropriate housing, the individual or household financial loss, drug addiction, medication misuse, racism and discrimination.
Supporting the homeless was not outside of Yoder’s wheelhouse of services supporting domestic violence victims.
Often, it’s the caregiver and the children that have nowhere to go and find themselves homeless.
Homeless people live in a constant crisis situation trying to survive.
Many individuals who are homeless have mental, cognitive, behavioural or physical challenges or severe drug dependencies according to Yoder.
Anyone can contact Hope Resrouce Centre by phone about a homeless person they are concerned about.
Residents need to be aware that homeless people are concerned for their safety and may be armed or may put people at risk who are not trained to handle a crisis situation.
The Hope Resource Centre has arranged for warm coats, clothing, food, a short-term place to stay, transportation and assisted connection with groups like AB Supports, Health professionals and court related supports.
She is available for community members to contact her about the homeless if they are concerned. People who directly provide food, lodging, or money may be putting themselves in danger.
If interested in helping, donate. Donate to the Hope Resource Centre, the Thrift Store, and the Food Bank.
While there are more services in bigger centres like Edmonton, Yoder said many want to stay in their communities. Many may feel like there are difficulties in larger cities and it might trigger mental health issues, Yoder said.
"Westlock might be one of the only places they feel some safety and no matter how often attempts are made to get them help or a place to stay, they won’t accept those supports," Yoder said.
While there is no homeless shelter or warming building in Westlock, Yoder said a committee is working on these longer-term ideas, but noted they are expensive to start and run.
Yoder said direct contact is not always a safe option. Contact the Hope Resource Centre at 780-349-6111.
