Emergency weather response. It’s coming to a community near you! As a human in the world I can say from personal experience that times are genuinely tough. There’s so much to struggle through these days it can feel like we’ve lost control of our lives—sometimes causing us to double down on our instinct to protect ourselves, and our loved ones. But I encourage all of us to try, this season, to extend that protection outwards to people we don’t know. We can talk all we want about the reality we would like to see but a housing crisis is our current reality—and the data is telling us it’s a reality we can no longer ignore. So, when that community church and non-profit society steps up this winter to say, “help us help them,” I sincerely hope those willing to act for change show support for welcoming unhoused individuals inside those doors and out of the cold. This is the very least we can do to ensure folks don’t die from exposure. It’s time to put aside our own fears for ourselves, and lean into fearing for strangers with the understanding that while everyone may not want our help, we’re going to help regardless. That’s the only way real change can be sustained. It will always be a group effort.
Warm and safe indoor shelters have been activated to support those experiencing homelessness this winter. The province is funding 5,000 spaces in 50 communities throughout B.C. Three types of shelters are available. Permanent shelters: ▪️ Open 24/7, 365 days/year regardless of weather ▪️ There are 3,968 permanent spaces across B.C. Temporary shelters: ▪️ Open nightly, some seasonal ▪️ There will be 215 temp spaces starting November 1, 2023 Extreme weather-response (EWR) shelter: ▪️ Activated by community extreme weather alert ▪️ There will be 520 EWR spaces for winter 2023-4 Visit smap.bchousing.org to find community-based shelters near you. Learn more at https://lnkd.in/gV-Y3a8b #EWR #EmergencyWeatherResponse #BCstorm
Principal, Capricorn Communications
9moLove this, Emily.