Dear Editor,
Last month, the Richmond community came together to welcome over 70 guests at the ninth annual Richmond Homeless Connect at St. Alban’s Anglican Church.
These at-risk and homeless individuals enjoyed a day partaking in a variety of health and wellness services provided by community volunteers, including a pancake breakfast and a nutritious luncheon prepared and served by volunteers.
Popular services were well used again this year: Warm clothing and footwear, flu shots, foot care, nutritional snacks, hygiene kits, dental hygiene, take-away photographs, and bike repair.
Local community agencies on site provided information and referrals to income assistance, addiction services, mental health services, health wellness services and employment services.
The Richmond Public Library, a new service this year, gave away books and signed up people for library cards that proved to be very popular with our guests.
Homeless Connect can only happen with the help and support of community members, the faith community, local organizations and service clubs.
On behalf of the organizers, we would like to thank the following groups for their valued contributions to the event’s success:
St. Alban’s Anglican Church, Richmond Church of the Latter Day Saints, South Arm United Church, Church on Five, St. Vincent de Paul, Steveston Rotary, Richmond Hospital Auxiliary, Richmond Health Services and Tobacco Reduction, UBC Bike Co-op, Camera One Photography and numerous local service agencies.
We would also like to thank Richmond Sunrise Rotary as well as individual Richmond residents for their generous financial donations.
We also acknowledge and thank the many volunteers, including youth groups, who gave their time to make sure that our guests received the help they were seeking.
On behalf of the local community services that provide help to people experiencing homelessness year-round, we would ask that they be remembered as we approach the holiday season.
The organizations that provide year-round outreach and support services to people experiencing homelessness are: St. Alban’s Anglican Church, Richmond Salvation Army, Turning Point Recovery Society and CHIMO Community Services.
Any one of these organizations could put community donations to good use supporting people experiencing homelessness.
Please contact them directly for information on how to make a donation.
De Whalen
Homeless Connect
