The holidays can be a difficult time for some, but staff at the temporary modular housing residence on Alderbridge Way try to make sure their residents celebrate on their own terms.
And, to make the season more joyful, a local church and people living in the neighbourhood have been pitching in.
Residents at the Alderbridge residence in Richmond will have a turkey and ham dinner with all the fixings and receive a gift, RainCity Housing spokesperson Emma McGarry told The Richmond News.
The Alderbridge building, operated by RainCity, is located at 6999 Alderbridge Way and opened back in 2019. It provides housing for people who are homeless or at-risk of homelessness.
It was the first temporary modular housing building to operate in Richmond and has 42 units, including two wheelchair-accessible units. Recently, another one has opened close to Costco.
The goal for the holiday celebrations, and for running the building in general, is to be “client-centred,” McGarry explained.
“We don’t want to be making plans or making goals on behalf of their needs,” she said, adding it’s important to do so because “it’s (the tenants’) lives.”
“They know themselves best and we just walk alongside the tenant. So, it’s just so important to build up the tenants and just be there to support them, and it’s so important to give them their own sense of independence.”
This is especially the case during the holidays, which can bring up a lot of losses and memories for people.
“It’s so important to check in with everybody at this time of year because some are not with their loved ones and some people find Christmas really difficult,” McGarry explained.
“A big sit-down thing can be… not for everybody, so we always have dinner for a longer period of time. So, whenever anyone wants to come down and get dinner, they can feel free to do at their own accord.”
Staff are available all day to check in with tenants, and they’re also keeping “lots of chocolate” on hand.
McGarry, who has been working at the Alderbridge location since its opening, said they have been receiving support from generous members of the community, including the Tapestry Church, people living in nearby condos and from the hotels in the area.
In fact, the Tapestry Church recently hosted a dinner for tenants and gave them gifts for the holidays.
Community members who want to help out their neighbours living at the Alderbridge residence can choose to donate online or drop off much-needed items such as non-perishables, bedding, towels and toilet paper. The building is staffed 24/7 and is open for drop-off anytime.
