Page 27 - February 11, 2019
P. 27
THE WEEKLY ANCHOR MONDAY FEBRUARY 11, 2019 PAGE 27
Housing Plus +
worried about
homeless during
extreme cold
by Deanna Mitchener
The extreme cold warnings outside lately has
many people worried. Not only about children,
seniors, or even pets staying warm, but also water
pipes and even furnaces going out during these
bitter temperatures.
But what about our homeless people in and
around our community?
Erica Snook-Pennings RSW, BSW Case
11
Manager for Housing Plus + had this to say, I
woke up yesterday morning, February 3 in my
warm king-sized bed and the first thought that Bill Koprivnak was taking a shot during a game of snooker on January 14 at the Pioneer Cabin.
entered my mind was, I hope none of our clients Snooker offers a unique challenge with a larger table and smaller pockets than a traditional pool
froze to death last night" tabla. photo Deanna Mitchener
"Later that day I received several messages
about a homeless man that people had seen in the
community and wanted to help. During the
ensuing conversations, I realized that there is a
disconnect between the general public's
perception and the actual degree to which
individuals in the community of Edson are
affected by homelessness," said Erica.
"I came to work this morning and sat with the
Outreach worker, Sherry Besler, and we compiled
a list of adults that we know to be experiencing
homelessness. These are people that we have had Features Include: 3.5L EcoBoost V6,
contact with over the past six months. Our list has Power Sliding Rear Window,
78 individuals on it." Rear View Camera, Front Video Monitor.
These are 78 people who we know their faces Stock #18DFT032
and we know their names. We do not believe the
above number to be a complete representation of
the actual number of individuals in Edson $238 B/WoAc
11
experiencing homelessness, said Erica.
"Rural homelessness remains very difficult to 00
capture as majority is considered hidden. What I $37,257
do know is our list does not have any names of
teens or young adults who are couch-surfing at
their friend's and not living at home. There are no
families or single parents with children who are
overcrowded in their living quarters, because they
cannot access their own housing. We also have
only a couple seniors on the list. We believe it to
be quite reasonable to, at minimum, double this
number to find an accurate representation of our
homeless population," said Erica.
"Individuals are without housing in our
community for a variety of reasons. The most
substantial issue, we see, is that most people have
multiple barriers to mainstream housing. We
believe that every human being has a right to have
a roof over their head every night
"Our program, Housing Plus+, has been
operating for about four years. Although we
provide a wide array of services and support, we
are at a standstill in terms of providing housing.
We believe that we need to go outside the box to Features Include: Z.OL EcoBoost Engine, Features Include: 2.0L EcoBoost Engine,
begin some strong advocacy for funding to Dusk Sensing Headlights, Rear View Cold Weather Package, Dusk Sensing
provide housing, both short and long term for Camera, Transmission Hill Holder, Headlights, Leather, Rear View Camera,
individuals in our community," said Erica. SYNC3/911 Assist stock#tBOECoto Halogen Headlights stock#t8DED006
"Our first initiative will be a postcard campaign. $178 00 $249
We will be looking for as many residents as B/W OAC $28,928 B/WoAc
possible to support us with a voice to the
provincial government as a starting point, saying
that we have a crisis here in Edson. Currently
there are no federal or provincial monies
specifically earmarked for Rural Homelessness.
We would ask you for your signature and
signatures of your friends and family. We would
love to have support from individuals with
circulating our post cards. We need your help to
help house our humans," said Erica.
If you have any questions you can contact
myself Erica Snook-Pennings at 780-723-5494.
A huge thank you for all the donations that have
been dropped off at our office. Should anyone be
interested in making further donations, we are
always in need of toiletries and now stamps,"
added Erica.
Housing Plus +
worried about
homeless during
extreme cold
by Deanna Mitchener
The extreme cold warnings outside lately has
many people worried. Not only about children,
seniors, or even pets staying warm, but also water
pipes and even furnaces going out during these
bitter temperatures.
But what about our homeless people in and
around our community?
Erica Snook-Pennings RSW, BSW Case
11
Manager for Housing Plus + had this to say, I
woke up yesterday morning, February 3 in my
warm king-sized bed and the first thought that Bill Koprivnak was taking a shot during a game of snooker on January 14 at the Pioneer Cabin.
entered my mind was, I hope none of our clients Snooker offers a unique challenge with a larger table and smaller pockets than a traditional pool
froze to death last night" tabla. photo Deanna Mitchener
"Later that day I received several messages
about a homeless man that people had seen in the
community and wanted to help. During the
ensuing conversations, I realized that there is a
disconnect between the general public's
perception and the actual degree to which
individuals in the community of Edson are
affected by homelessness," said Erica.
"I came to work this morning and sat with the
Outreach worker, Sherry Besler, and we compiled
a list of adults that we know to be experiencing
homelessness. These are people that we have had Features Include: 3.5L EcoBoost V6,
contact with over the past six months. Our list has Power Sliding Rear Window,
78 individuals on it." Rear View Camera, Front Video Monitor.
These are 78 people who we know their faces Stock #18DFT032
and we know their names. We do not believe the
above number to be a complete representation of
the actual number of individuals in Edson $238 B/WoAc
11
experiencing homelessness, said Erica.
"Rural homelessness remains very difficult to 00
capture as majority is considered hidden. What I $37,257
do know is our list does not have any names of
teens or young adults who are couch-surfing at
their friend's and not living at home. There are no
families or single parents with children who are
overcrowded in their living quarters, because they
cannot access their own housing. We also have
only a couple seniors on the list. We believe it to
be quite reasonable to, at minimum, double this
number to find an accurate representation of our
homeless population," said Erica.
"Individuals are without housing in our
community for a variety of reasons. The most
substantial issue, we see, is that most people have
multiple barriers to mainstream housing. We
believe that every human being has a right to have
a roof over their head every night
"Our program, Housing Plus+, has been
operating for about four years. Although we
provide a wide array of services and support, we
are at a standstill in terms of providing housing.
We believe that we need to go outside the box to Features Include: Z.OL EcoBoost Engine, Features Include: 2.0L EcoBoost Engine,
begin some strong advocacy for funding to Dusk Sensing Headlights, Rear View Cold Weather Package, Dusk Sensing
provide housing, both short and long term for Camera, Transmission Hill Holder, Headlights, Leather, Rear View Camera,
individuals in our community," said Erica. SYNC3/911 Assist stock#tBOECoto Halogen Headlights stock#t8DED006
"Our first initiative will be a postcard campaign. $178 00 $249
We will be looking for as many residents as B/W OAC $28,928 B/WoAc
possible to support us with a voice to the
provincial government as a starting point, saying
that we have a crisis here in Edson. Currently
there are no federal or provincial monies
specifically earmarked for Rural Homelessness.
We would ask you for your signature and
signatures of your friends and family. We would
love to have support from individuals with
circulating our post cards. We need your help to
help house our humans," said Erica.
If you have any questions you can contact
myself Erica Snook-Pennings at 780-723-5494.
A huge thank you for all the donations that have
been dropped off at our office. Should anyone be
interested in making further donations, we are
always in need of toiletries and now stamps,"
added Erica.
