Haircuts, flu shots, foot and dental care and hearing tests were some of many resources available for housing-insecure individuals in Richmond on Wednesday morning.
Richmond Homeless Connect (RHC) held its 15th annual event to connect at-risk and homeless populations with resources and daily necessities at the Richmond Caring Place on Oct. 16.
The event coincided with Homeless Action Week, observed from Oct. 13 to 19.
Homelessness in Richmond has increased 91 per cent, from 85 to 162 people, between 2020 and 2023, according to Homelessness Services Association of BC data.
"We know this is an undercount for many reasons -- it is a point-in-time count, it does not enumerate people couch surfing, and some people decline to participate even if it is clear they are unhoused," said De Whalen, chair of the RHC.
"People who are at risk of homelessness or homeless are everywhere. They're us, they're seniors, they're pregnant mothers and they're young families."
Whalen said they have been advocating for more help from the city and are "finally getting the attention of them."
"We have a program for after-hours outreach volunteers. (The city) is recognizing the need for it and hopefully, in time, we won't have to have this kind of event. Rather, there will be regular programming of either the city or an organization," she added.
"Right now it's just a bunch of volunteers that do our best."
Among those at the Richmond Caring Place was Solvila Mendoza who has been attending the event for many years.
She told the Richmond News she used to volunteer for the RPRC but had to step away due to problems that arose in her personal life.
"I love helping people personally," said Mendoza, adding she likes the community at the Caring Place and the opportunity to see old friends at events.
She said she would like more information on housing and how to rent at events in the future.
“They need more BC Housing stuff because people have been waiting for 10 years … because people who are low income or renting need lots of support.”
Volunteer hairdressers Rita Knapp and Anja Liem were at the event giving a haircut to anyone needing one.
"It makes them feel special and cared about and they don't always get that elsewhere," said Knapp.
"When you look at yourself and you look good, you feel good. It's like a boost of confidence," Liem added.
The Homeless Count event is a way for RHC to get an overview of how the at-risk and homeless population is doing in the city, according to Whalen.
She told the News that homelessness is on the rise in Richmond, particularly in seniors.
"In fact, statistics for the 2023 Richmond Homeless Connect event confirmed that 41 per cent of attendees reported they were over 65 years of age," said Whalen.
With this in mind, the Richmond Poverty Reduction Coalition (RPRC), held a table with hygiene kits tailored for seniors, she added.
Athena Estremadura, the program coordinator at RPRC, a non-profit organization, has been participating at the event for several years.
Estremadura was accompanied by volunteers of the Richmond Advocacy & Support Committee (RASC), an umbrella committee under the RPRC, to share volunteering opportunities the committee can offer to attendees at the event.
Volunteers get an honorarium and certificate at the end of the program, which Estremadura said includes training, learning skills and practice. Volunteers can offer translating and interviewing surveys, help design surveys and reports and work on projects as part of the program.
The organization is also working on a new project about seniors and assisting them.
Estremadura said the RPRC is looking for people in the community who would like to learn transferable skills or want a reference.
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