The Creston Valley Den Society
The Creston Valley Den Society
After seeing an increase in the number of vulnerable people accessing services at the Creston library — and hearing heated public discourse that followed recent permanent shelter proposals — staff wanted to offer something educational and community-building.
“The community discourse seems to include a lot of misinformation but not evidence-based ideas about how people become homeless, what the conditions are out there, and what should be done about it.”
The Creston Valley Den Society, a volunteer-run group providing daily food and support services to the unhoused, is now helping the camp residents (approximately six) prepare to move.
“It’s very disappointing that people who are so vulnerable and struggling so much have to move again,” said board chair Nancy DeVuono. “They’re doing the best they can to be good neighbours, given the dire situation that they are in. This is very challenging, but we’re definitely not going anywhere.”
It is well recognised by the Town of Creston and the community that there is small group of citizens who are suffering from chronic or intermittent homelessness. We do not have a shelter for these vulnerable people in Creston. This is a gap in service, as identified by health, social support, mental well-being, and addiction service agencies, as well as caring citizens in Creston.
Homelessness is a problem shared by every community across Canada and indeed the world. It is a symptom of the ills that many of us face, especially since Covid – poverty, lack of housing affordability, high cost of living, family breakdown, isolation, mental health challenges, family abuse, and chronic illness which may include brain injury, alcohol abuse, drug addiction, and disability. Our unhoused folks in Creston suffer from some – or all – of the above, and all are traumatized in one way or another. We have great compassion for these individuals. In spite of the unstable and unsafe conditions in which they live, we have seen them be respectful, non-threatening, appreciative of any help that is offered, and trying to look out for others on the street. They are all on hard times.
Without access to the very basic human rights to shelter, food, water and sanitation, the cards to housing, better health, treatment and reconnection with family are stacked very severely against them. But we, in Creston, can help if we work together.
Last winter, thanks to the hard work and dedication of people from Trinity Treasures, Trinity United Church, numerous volunteers, community donations, and subsequent funding from BC Housing, an Out of the Cold overnight shelter program was established in the former Ambulance Building. Town Council voted to make this space available from January 1st to March 31st.
By all measures, the Out of the Cold program was extremely successful, especially considering it was staffed, furnished, and funded in a matter of weeks.
Approximately fifteen individuals were served over time, both men and women, young adults and seniors (and their pets). Some who were living in vehicles or temporarily “couch surfing” were able to come in for respite, a meal, some comfort, and connection to services. A number of these clients were able to move on to more sustainable housing, employment, and/or treatment due in part to the help they received at the Den.
No one died or suffered severe frostbite. There were no major problems or incidents, and we were good neighbours.
Referrals to provide shelter for individuals in need were taken from the hospital, women’s shelter, and local police. As with any start-up organization or business there were growing pains. When a new shelter is established, we have plans in place that will mitigate past problems and build on our strengths.
Sadly, on March 31, the doors to Out of the Cold were closed, and folks were back on the street. The non-profit group called the Creston Valley Den Society became formalized and began the task of finding a safe, more sustainable solution for our unhoused.