Homeless

Calls for potential overdoses in B.C. spiked in 2021. Pictured above is a BCEHS re-enactment of paramedics attending an overdose. (BCHES/Special to Black Press Media)

2021 worst year for local overdose deaths

President of Alouette Addictions calls for overdose prevention site in Maple Ridge

 

Manager of H.E.L.P. Team Boyle Street Community Services Doug Cooke, right, and outreach and support services manager Jared Tkachuk, left, check on a homeless person’s well-being in Edmonton on Thursday, Dec. 9, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson

‘Peril or promise’: Long-term solution needed to help homeless in Alberta cities

Homeless shelters are near capacity but open their doors to all when temperatures become unbearable

 

(Special to The News)

Maple Ridge’s Salvation Army ready for extreme weather

Cold weather program starts as winter moves in

 

Norma Jean Neale and Ed Kazmir will be offering warm clothes and blankets for the homeless in downtown Maple Ridge on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. (Neil Corbett/The News)

Maple Ridge couple to spend Christmas helping homeless

Offering blankets and winter clothes to street people downtown

Norma Jean Neale and Ed Kazmir will be offering warm clothes and blankets for the homeless in downtown Maple Ridge on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. (Neil Corbett/The News)
Abbotsford teen Alexis Mulder donated fundraised items to local homeless last week. (Submitted)

Abbotsford teen distributes fundraised items to homeless

16-year-old Alexis Mulder hands out emergency tents, emergency blankets, hygiene kits and socks

Abbotsford teen Alexis Mulder donated fundraised items to local homeless last week. (Submitted)
Victory Church homeless shelter had the highest calls for police service above everywhere else, at 290 calls for service, in the first three months of the year. (Jesse Day Western News)

Penticton drops lawsuit against BC Housing; new shelter proposed

A new shelter will go beside Compass Court and Victory Church shelter will close spring 2022

Victory Church homeless shelter had the highest calls for police service above everywhere else, at 290 calls for service, in the first three months of the year. (Jesse Day Western News)
During Homelessness Action Week last month, many in the community came together to give a helping hand and learn more about homeless in Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows. (Special to The News)

COMMUNITY NETWORK: Homelessness is about more than housing

Donations of socks and winter items seen as a start, but more must be learned by all

  • Nov 14, 2021
During Homelessness Action Week last month, many in the community came together to give a helping hand and learn more about homeless in Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows. (Special to The News)
The new ISAT program will see community volunteers patrol with the city’s community safety officers, or RCMP officers. (Special to The News)

Many Maple Ridge citizens apply to join safety ambassadors team

Volunteers already patrolling with RCMP and city’s safety officers

The new ISAT program will see community volunteers patrol with the city’s community safety officers, or RCMP officers. (Special to The News)
A neighbour took a photo or Royal Crescent modular housing residents using drugs on the lawn of the facility. Neighbours complain about open drug use and dealing on the site and around it. (Special to The News)

Neighbours say The Mods have worn out welcome in Maple Ridge neighbourhood

This month marks three years for temporary housing for homeless on Royal Crescent

A neighbour took a photo or Royal Crescent modular housing residents using drugs on the lawn of the facility. Neighbours complain about open drug use and dealing on the site and around it. (Special to The News)
Vancouver Police watch as city workers throw away personal belongings. (Meenakshi Mannoe/Pivot Legal Society)

‘We should be disgusted’: Vancouver homeless advocates call for an end to street sweeps

Advocates say police and city workers regularly destroy and dispose of personal belongings

Vancouver Police watch as city workers throw away personal belongings. (Meenakshi Mannoe/Pivot Legal Society)
(Black Press file)

Judge reserves decision on Prince George homeless camps

Advocates want resolution as cold weather season approaches

(Black Press file)
Dr. Bill MacEwan is working weekly with people at Maple Ridge’s homeless shelters. (Neil Corbett/The News)

Renowned psychiatrist vising Maple Ridge shelters

Has decades of experience from Downtown Eastside

Dr. Bill MacEwan is working weekly with people at Maple Ridge’s homeless shelters. (Neil Corbett/The News)
Salvation Army Ridge Meadows Ministries team handed out water bottles to all who wanted them at Maple Ridge’s Memorial Peace Park on Thursday afternoon. (Ronan O’Doherty - The News)

VIDEO: Salvation Army ramps up for hot weekend in Maple Ridge

Headquarters on Lougheed Highway will be open as cooling centre, bottles of water to be distributed

Salvation Army Ridge Meadows Ministries team handed out water bottles to all who wanted them at Maple Ridge’s Memorial Peace Park on Thursday afternoon. (Ronan O’Doherty - The News)
Homeless are at risk for heat exhaustion and dehydration during the Lower Mainland heat wave. (File photo)

Salvation Army looking out for Maple Ridge homeless during heat wave

There will not be a cooling station due to COVID but staff will drive around offering water

Homeless are at risk for heat exhaustion and dehydration during the Lower Mainland heat wave. (File photo)
Griffin Security staff unload donations of bottled water that will be handed out to Chilliwack’s homeless community and others. They are seen here on Tuesday, June 22, 2021. (Jenna Hauck/ Chilliwack Progress)

Community donates 1,000-plus bottles of water in 1 morning for Chilliwack homeless

Goal to keep everyone hydrated during above-average temperatures, says organizer

Griffin Security staff unload donations of bottled water that will be handed out to Chilliwack’s homeless community and others. They are seen here on Tuesday, June 22, 2021. (Jenna Hauck/ Chilliwack Progress)
Send your letter to the editor via email to editor@mapleridgenews.com

LETTER: Homeless deserve dignity and respect, too

Maple Ridge letter writer suggests choosing kindness over cruelty

  • Jun 5, 2021
Send your letter to the editor via email to editor@mapleridgenews.com
BC Housing minister David Eby. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito)

Eby jabs back against Penticton mayor’s ad urging BC Premier to intervene in shelter dispute

Eby writes that Penticton’s ‘serious’ social issues won’t improve under leadership of the mayor

BC Housing minister David Eby. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito)
A homeless camp is pictured in Strathcona Park in Vancouver. British Columbia’s housing minister says campers in Vancouver’s Strathcona Park can either choose to accept the housing on offer or leave the park. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

B.C. working to house people camping in Vancouver park as deadline to leave looms

Campers at the park have until Friday at 10 a.m. to tear down their tents

A homeless camp is pictured in Strathcona Park in Vancouver. British Columbia’s housing minister says campers in Vancouver’s Strathcona Park can either choose to accept the housing on offer or leave the park. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward
Volunteers, a conservation officer and an RCMP officer visit the burnt homeless camp on April 15, 2021. (Jenna Hauck/ Chilliwack Progress)

VIDEO: Volunteers left to cleanup aftermath of fire at Chilliwack homeless camp

‘The whole area is a disaster,’ says volunteer of 1,600 square foot area of burnt trash

Volunteers, a conservation officer and an RCMP officer visit the burnt homeless camp on April 15, 2021. (Jenna Hauck/ Chilliwack Progress)
A large area of the railway tracks beneath a bridge on Highway 1 has been cordoned off by police tape as investigators collect evidence. Patrick Penner / Abbotsford News.

IHIT releases name of the homicide victim at Abbotsford homeless camp

No motive or suspects known yet in murder of 35-year-old Robert Nelson

A large area of the railway tracks beneath a bridge on Highway 1 has been cordoned off by police tape as investigators collect evidence. Patrick Penner / Abbotsford News.