the Progressive Housing Society Outreach Workers will be available  at the following times:

Monday May 14th  housing searches only at the Progressive Housing Office 7836 6th St.

Thursday May 17th Outreach Resource Centre 7135 Walker Ave 9am – 11:30am

There will not be a van stop at McGill Library on Mon May 14th

or on Wednesday May 16th at New Life Community Church.

The Progressive Housing Society apologizes for any inconvenience and will be back to regular scheduling the following week.

The Burnaby Task Force On Homelessness attends such special events as:  

Canada Day, City Fair, Hat’s Off Day and hopefully the Kensington Fair.

At each of these events the Burnaby Task Force On Homelessness distributes children’s books and hosts an educational game entitled What Do People Need designed to raise the awareness of homelessness in Burnaby.

Gently used children’s books are now needed to ensure the success of these events      

(ie: board books for young children, picture books, easy readers, youth novels, comics, non fiction)

Anyone wishing to donate used children’s books please contact Wanda via info@burnabyhomelesstaskforce.org

Thank you for your support!

March 22nd, 23rd , 2012 at 7 pm

SHELTERING SPACES ARE AT:

Westminster Bible Chapel

7540 – 6th Street, Burnaby

Opens at 7 p.m.

IF YOU ARE SLEEPING OUTSIDE,

PLEASE COME TO THE SHELTER!

The Church is on the 106 bus line from Metrotown and 123 bus line from Brentwood

WESTMINSTER BIBLE CHAPEL,

7540 – 6TH STREET, BURNABY

Shelter phone number

778-378-1700

(only during sheltering hours)

Monday and Tuesday March 5^th and 6th, 2012 at 7 pm

SHELTERING SPACES ARE AT:

Westminster Bible Chapel

7540 – 6th Street, Burnaby

Opens at 7 p.m.

IF YOU ARE SLEEPING OUTSIDE,

PLEASE COME TO THE SHELTER!

The Church is on the 106 bus line from Metrotown and 123 bus line from Brentwood

WESTMINSTER BIBLE CHAPEL,

7540 – 6TH STREET, BURNABY

Shelter phone number

778-378-1700

(only during sheltering hours)

 Burnaby Homeless Connect is a free, one-day event hosted annually in October by the Burnaby Task Force On Homelessness. This event connects people who are living in extreme poverty and homelessness with essential goods and services.

 In 2011 over 182 people received services at Burnaby Homeless Connect from 66 service providers and 64 volunteers. People accessed dental exams, eye exams, foot care clinic, blood pressure clinic, nurse practitioner, public health services, learning table, flu shots, hair cuts, make overs, outreach and additional professional services. People appreciated the donated clothing, comfort kits, games, door prizes and wonderful food.

 Many people attending Burnaby Homeless Connect 2011 also participated in a community art project entitled Windows of Hope. “Participants artistically expressed their appreciation for services, their hopes and their urgent need for housing during a time when many are in dire straights struggling with extreme poverty and homelessness,” said Wanda Mulholland of the Burnaby Task Force On Homelessness.

 Windows of Hope is currently on display at the Bob Prittie Library at 6100 Willingdon Avenue during regular hours:           

                                    Monday to Friday 9am to 9pm

                                    Saturdays 9am to 6pm

                                    Sundays 1pm to 5pm

 Anyone wishing to donate can drop off items at Progressive Housing Society, 7836 6th St Burnaby, 604-522-9669 ext 317or the Southeast Community Policing office behind Highgate at 7191 Arcola Way.

 At this time there is a need for hotel toiletries – (shampoo, conditioner, lotion, razors, feminine hygiene products pads/tampons, bars of soap, toothpaste, and toothbrushes); men’s underwear (sizes small, medium, large); one zone fare savers; and tuna and crackers lunch to go packages. Your donations are greatly appreciated.

 For more information, people are invited to visit the Burnaby Task Force On Homelessness website at www.burnabyhomelesstaskforce.org.

has been Stood Down

Tuesday February 28, 2012

The emergency-only sleeping spaces have been closed

We will inform you prior to noon of the next date

the Extreme Weather Program is implemented.

Thank you for your help and support!

Burnaby Extreme Weather Response

Sunday and Monday February 26^th and 27^th, 2012 at 7 pm

SHELTERING SPACES ARE AT:

Westminster Bible Chapel

7540 – 6th Street, Burnaby

Opens at 7 p.m.

IF YOU ARE SLEEPING OUTSIDE,

PLEASE COME TO THE SHELTER!

The Church is on the 106 bus line from Metrotown and 123 bus line from Brentwood

WESTMINSTER BIBLE CHAPEL,

7540 – 6TH STREET, BURNABY

Shelter phone number

778-378-1700

(only during sheltering hours)

Friday, February 24, 2012

For immediate release

                        Burnaby Task Force Hires Community Development Coordinator

BURNABY: After seven years of addressing homelessness and raising the awareness of this important issue in Burnaby, the Burnaby Task Force On Homelessness has received funding to further their work.

In March 2011, the Task Force contracted with Burnaby Community Connections to serve as Host Agency and administer Task Force funds. In August 2011 the Task Force received a Vancity grant to hire a temporary Event Coordinator for the 2011 Homelessness Action Week.

In December 2011, the Task Force received a grant from the Vancouver Foundation enabling them to hire a temporary part-time Community Development Coordinator who will assist the organization with their work to build public awareness and support for solutions to homelessness in Burnaby. The Task Force will continue to pursue additional funding to solidify and further the stability of the Coordinator position.

The Task Force is pleased to welcome Wanda Mulholland to the position of Community Development Coordinator.   Wanda Mulholland is a founding member of the Task Force who has volunteered tirelessly for seven years to assist Burnaby citizens in need. In 2007 Wanda Mulholland was awarded the Burnaby Local Hero Award for her work on homelessness in Burnaby.

“I look forward to seeing the ways in which this position will increase the capacity of the Task Force to advocate for adequate housing and services for Burnaby citizens who are living in homelessness and extreme poverty” said Mulholland. 

 “I absolutely believe that by continuing to work together with government, business, social service professionals, faith communities and concerned citizens that we can ensure our Burnaby neighbours receive the housing and services essential for a better life.” said Mulholland

For more information about the Burnaby Task Force On Homelessness, please visit the website at www.burnabyhomelesstaskforce.org.

Burnaby’s Extreme Weather Response, located at Westminster Bible Chapel, 7540 – 6th Street, is open between October and April when the weather is deemed to be unsafe for people to be outside. During the 2011-2012 season to date the Burnaby Extreme Weather Shelter has been opened for 23 nights with 114 bed nights.

“For people in need of a safe, warm, dry place to sleep, the Burnaby Extreme Weather Shelter provides a welcoming and supportive refuge” said Wanda Mulholland, Co-Chair of the Burnaby Task Force On Homelessness.

“A hot nutritious meal is an important part of providing comfort to people coming in from the cold” stated Dave Brown, Lookout Society Coordinator for the Burnaby Extreme Weather Response.

The Response Team welcomes donations of prepared meals such as:  lasagna with bread and salad; hearty soup; ham or turkey dinners with potatoes and vegetables; shepherds pie; or pasta and tomato sauce.

 “These meals can be stored and frozen at the Lookout Society Russell Residence and Shelter at 740 Carnarvon Street in New Westminster until needed by Burnaby’s Extreme Weather Response” reports Dave Brown. If you are interested in donating food, please contact Kevan Oxley at 604-515-2728 or kevanoxley@hotmail.com. 

The most urgent needs for the Extreme Weather Response Team at this time include: food, warm blankets, winter coats, gloves, socks, boots and one zone transit fare savers.  Non food related donations may be dropped off at the Southeast Community Policing office behind Highgate at 7191 Arcola Way.

For more information, people are invited to visit the Burnaby Task Force on Homelessness website at www.burnabyhomelesstaskforce.org

has been Stood Down

Sunday January 22, 2012

The emergency-only sleeping spaces have been closed

We will inform you prior to noon of the next date

the Extreme Weather Program is implemented.

Thank you for your help and support!

Burnaby Extreme Weather Response Team