Skate for the Homeless Fundraiser from Novel Pictures on Vimeo.

“How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world,” wrote Anne Frank when she was just a bit older than what Robert Dudra is now. At 10 yrs old, Robert has wasted no time in making a difference.

Over $1000.00 was raised for Surrey’s homeless, more than double the goal Robert had in mind when he set about organizing Skate for the Homeless, which took place on Friday, Feb. 10.

After the first time he passed some homeless people on cold streets, Robert determined he would do something to help. As a hockey goalie who spends after-school hours at the rink, Robert was inspired to connect a popular activity with a worthy cause through a skating fundraiser.

Robert told his friends about the skate through school announcements and posters, hoping many would come. To his surprise, about a hundred people from across the community, from pre-schoolers to a former Junior A hockey player now in his 80s, donned skates to glide, shuffle and twirl in the name of eliminating homelessness in Surrey.

For Ron, who had strayed in back alleys while battling addictions for years, getting on the ice was daunting. But with Robert right by his side, giving pointers and encouragement, he too got on his feet and pushed forward.

Amazed by the attendance and generosity of the community, Robert affirmed, “I want the money to help support the homeless by building homes and feeding them.”

Since the city provided the rink at no charge, all the proceeds were directed to Surrey Homelessness and Housing Fund, which supports projects that have helped Ron and many others who struggle with homelessness in Surrey.

Surrey is confronted with unique homelessness and affordable housing challenges. But as the Skate for the Homeless has demonstrated, it also possesses an involved community with caring, initiative-taking young people like Robert.

Skate for the Homeless is the idea of Robbie Dudra, a grade 5 student at Rosemary Heights Elementary School in South Surrey. A goalie for the Semiahmoo Ravens Atom A3 team, Robbie has long had a passion and desire to help the homeless. He came up with the idea for a charity skate because skating is an activity that he and many people enjoy.

For more information about this event, please contact Kim Dudra at kpd1@shaw.ca.

Read the article from the Surrey Now

See the poster.

In early December 2011, Mark LeBourdais’ theatre class at Delview Secondary in Delta was preparing for opening night of
their production, Blues, a play dealing with issues of homelessness, poverty and community. But they wanted to do more than stimulate thought and garner applause, they decided to provide an opportunity to make a difference.

The pledge to donate half the proceeds to the Surrey Homelessness & Housing Fund was unanimous amongst the students. They took to the stage on Dec. 6th, 8th and 9th, knowing they were making a bigger impact than originally planned.

By Peter Simpson
Vancouver Sun
December 3, 2011
 
“It breaks my heart when I read a Vancouver Sun story on the plight of cold, wet and hungry people who are turned away from extreme weather shelters because there are no beds. BC Housing and community organizations are doing admirable jobs addressing this issue.

When my thoughts drift to the issue of homelessness, two images are vivid.

One, my kid brother lived by his wits on the streets of Toronto for 30 years, on and off. Mark died two years ago, a predictable victim of the destructive demons that possessed him – from alcoholism to substance abuse and from conning anyone within earshot to stealing anything within arm’s reach.

Although he marched to the heavy beat of his own drummer, he was a gentle man. I miss him.”

Read the rest of the article HERE.

Peter Simpson is the president and chief executive officer of the Greater Vancouver Home Builders’ Association. Email peter@gvhba.org

http://www.vancouversun.com/news/Groups+make+real+lasting+difference+homeless+people/5807437/story.html

Delview Theatre Company/Production class will be presenting a One-Act Ensemble Play called Blues by Jerome McDonough for three evening shows on Tuesday, Dec. 6, Thursday, Dec. 8, and Friday, Dec. 9 in the Drama Studio, at 7 pm each night, running for approximately one hour. This is a very interesting and provocative play dealing with issues of homelessness, poverty and community, and it features some unusual audience interaction as well. It is described by the play’s narrator as “Our Town 100 years later.” The play focuses on the lives of those less fortunate than us which is an important and timely reminder for the holiday season in early December. Half of all ticket sales will be donated to Surrey Homelessness & Housing Endowment Fund.

Watch the video now!

October 13, 2011: The Surrey Homelessness & Housing Society announced the recipients of its 2011 annual grants today.

The Society is providing close to $200,000 to nine Surrey-based agencies to support projects that will provide solutions to homelessness in Surrey.

The 2011 Grant Recipients:

BC Synod ELIC: $15,000.00, Surrey Urban Mission Site Redevelopment

Surrey Urban Mission, a ministry of Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada, B.C. Synod, provides programs and services for neighbourhood kids, single moms, elderly and disabled residents, people who are currently homeless and those who are vulnerably housed as well as those with challenges related to addiction and mental illness.
The site redevelopment project will envision a development of the building that will make best use of the land in providing services and affordable housing for those who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.

Elizabeth Fry Society of Greater Vancouver: $50,000.00, Re-zoning and Capital Improvement

Elizabeth Fry Society of Greater Vancouver provides support services to some of society’s most vulnerable populations – women, girls and children at risk of involvement, involved in or affected by the justice system.
$50,000.00 has been awarded for re-zoning and capital improvements on a transitional house, which would increase the capacity of the women’s addiction treatment program, adding 18 more beds.

Launching Pad Addiction Rehabilitation Society: $12,500.00, New Roof

The Launching Pad Addiction Rehabilitation Society works to rehabilitate adult victims of substance abuse for re-entry into society as contributing citizens. to accomplish this, The Launching Pad manages and maintains an affordable residential facility for persons of low and moderate income to enable pursuit of a 12-step program of recovery and promote living skills. $12,500.00 has been awarded for to repair a leaking roof.  The repair will prevent the loss of ten client beds over which the roof leaks and will provide shelter for the oncoming winter season.

Lu’ma Native Housing Society/First Funds Society:  $10,000.00, Community Voice Mail Project

Lu’ma Native Housing Society was created to provide affordable housing to Aboriginal families and individuals with low to moderate income. $10,000.00 has been awarded for the community voice mail project through which organizations with homeless/phones clients can provide a local phone number with a personalized phone greeting message and voice mail service. This allows clients to confidently apply for housing, employment, and access to health care and be in contact with family without the detriment of the poverty stigma.

Options Community Services Society—Hyland  House Cloverdale: $50,000.00, Hyland House Cloverdale Enhancement

Options Community Services Society is committed to empowering individuals, supporting families and promoting community health.  To this end, Hyland House Cloverdale shelters individuals who are homeless or deemed ‘at risk’ of becoming homeless $50,000.00 has been awarded to this shelter site situated on approximately 3 acres. The program came into operation with the understanding that it would transition into a pet friendly shelter service, transitional and long term housing program that also operates as a therapeutic farm for individuals needing to work on personal challenges. The intent is to build 15-20 emergency shelter spaces and 20 self contained units which can accommodate pets.

Sources Community Resources Society: $22,500.00, Surrey Homelessness & Housing Task Force

Sources Community Resources Society, which recently merged with Newton Advocacy Group where the Surrey Homelessness & Housing Task Force was formerly held, has been a source of support to individuals and families coping with isolation, addiction, poverty, disability, and conflict. $22,500.00 has been awarded to the Surrey Homelessness & Housing Task Force, which collaborates in a number of ways to improve coordination of services for people who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless and to raise public awareness about and involvement in solutions to homelessness in Surrey.

Sources Community Resources Society: $30,000.00, Surrey Rent Bank

Sources Community Resources Society, which recently merged with Newton Advocacy Group where the Surrey Rent Bank was formerly held, has been a source of support to individuals and families coping with isolation, addiction, poverty, disability, and conflict. $30,000.00 has been awarded to the Surrey Rent Bank which prevents and reduces homelessness for low-income individuals and families by providing loans for rent, security deposits and utilities arrears, and financial literacy workshops.

White Rock South Surrey Community Foundation: $5,000.00, Peninsula Homeless to Housing Roundtable

White Rock South Surrey Community Foundation aims to help individuals and groups make an ongoing difference in the Semiahmoo Peninsula region. $5000.00 has been awarded to the Peninsula Homeless to Housing Roundtable.  The Roundtable develops leadership capacity through on-going communication and provides advocacy opportunities for affordable housing on the Peninsula, including Homelessness Action Week activities.

Sources Community Resources Society: $4500.00, Peace Arch Free Dental Clinic (PAFDC)

Sources Community Resources Society has been a source of support to individuals and families coping with isolation, addiction, poverty, disability, and conflict. $4500.00 has been awarded to the Peace Arch Free Dental Clinic so free dental care on Friday mornings, and additionally, dental hygiene care on Friday afternoons starting in the fall can be accessed.  Basic dental care is to resume on Mondays as well.

July 29, 2011

Surrey Community Comes Together to Provide a New Roof for All Nations Youth Safe House

(Surrey) A local company, Valhalla Roofing, recently stepped up to donate a brand new roof to Kla-how-eya ’ All Nations Youth Safe House when they heard that a replacement was needed.

Back in early April, Vera LeFranc, Coordinator of the Surrey Homelessness and Housing Fund, received a call from a previous grant recipient, Kla-how-eya,  that they needed help.  The roof on their All Nations Youth Safe House could not likely stand another winter and had to be replaced immediately.   Without enough cash available to cover such a large expense, the organization faced a potential closure if they could not raise the money.

Knowing the tight timeline, and limited grant resources available, Vera decided to send out a call to the Board of the Surrey Homelessness and Housing Society.  Board member, Peter Simpson, who is also CEO of the Greater Vancouver Homebuilders Association, reached out to his contacts about their need for a new roof.  Valhalla Roofing responded,  and today they are installing a new roof on the 6 bed Youth Shelter.

Every year the All Nations Youth Safe House serves up to 160 high-risk youth, providing them with the support they need to find stable housing, enter employment programs, and develop the independence they need to remain housed over the long term.  In the 2011 Metro Vancouver Homelessness Count, Surrey had the highest number of Aboriginal homeless in the region, and an increasing number of unsheltered youth.

“It is through the generosity of people like Harold Pinter and Charun Stone at Valhalla Roofing that we can make a real difference in the lives of those affected by homelessness” said Surrey City Councilor Judy Villeneuve, who serves as President of the Surrey Homelessness and Housing Society, “this is such a great example that by donating time, skills and money we can work to solve homelessness in Surrey.”

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Media Contact:

Vera LeFranc
Program Coordinator
Surrey Homelessness and Housing Fund
Email: vera_lefranc@vancity.com
Tel: 604.369.2064

The Hidden Homeless: How municipalities are tackling increasing homelessness in the suburbs

By Jackie Wong

Megaphone is a magazine sold on the streets of Vancouver by homeless and low-income vendors. The magazine is published every two weeks. Vendors buy the paper for 75 cents and sell the magazine to customers by donation. All money from the transaction goes into the pocket of the vendor.

October 12
What: Surrey Homelessness and Housing Fund Cheque Presentation – 2010 Annual Grants
When: 11:00am
Where: Surrey City Hall Atrium, 14245 56th Avenue, Surrey

Seven funding recipients will be announced at this year’s ceremonies.

What: Public Forum and Reception – presented by the Surrey Homelessness and Housing Task Force
Where: SFU Surrey Campus – Theatre and Main Hall
When: 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm

Showcasing the documentary Poor No More followed by a discussion
Guest Speakers include – Nigel Watkinson, President – Surrey Board of Trade, Denise Moffat – Surrey School Board, Michael Gellar – Architect and property developer, Lorraine Copas – Executive Director – SPARC BC

Poor No More offers solutions to Canada’s working poor. The film takes three Canadians to a world where people do not have to beg, where housing is affordable and university education is free.  They ask themselves – if other countries can do this, why don’t we?

October 13
What: Connect Day – Sponsored by the Surrey Homelessness and Housing Task Force
Where: Whalley Legion – 13525 106th Avenue, Surrey
When: 10:00am – 2:00pm | Pancake Breakfast at 10 am and Smorgasbord Lunch at noon.

For people in Surrey living in poverty and those who are homeless. Resources include – Health care, Women’s Health Issues, flu shots, eye check up, pet care, food bank registration, activities for pre-school children, mental health and addictions counselors, legal services, individual needs and personal services including haircuts, shaves, nail and foot care, make-up clothing, shoes and household items.

Free transportation will be provided from some areas of the city. Check pick up times and locations or for more information – please call – 604 581-5172

October 15
What: Newton Advocacy Group Society’s 5th Annual Homelessness Awareness March
Where: King George Hwy in Surrey starting at 88th to 84th and then back to 88th.
When: 11:00am – 2:00pm

Schedule:

10:30am – Meet at the NAG office, 13588 88th Avenue, to sign in and to get a poster.
11:00 am Welcome from City Councilor, Judy Villeneuve and the Executive Director of Newton Advocacy, Susan Keeping.
11:15am March commences down King George Blvd
12:00pm Return to the NAG office for free refreshments and lunch.

Donations of bus tickets, non-perishable food, coats, and gloves are much appreciated

What: Lunch
When: 12:00pm – 1:00pm
Where: Surrey Urban Mission, 13388 104th Avenue, Surrey 604 581-5172

October 16th
What: Breakfast
When: 9:00am – 10:00am
Where: Surrey Urban Mission, 13388 104th Avenue, Surrey 604 581-5172

Click here to find out more about Homelessness Action Week in Metro Vancouver.