October 10th is World Homeless Day – Ways to Support Those Experiencing Homelessness

Add a Comment by Rebecca Bollwitt

The is monthly series features the latest updates and news from Covenant House Vancouver. Miss604 is proud to be their Official Blog Partner. This month’s post has been written by Jason Bosher of Covenant House Vancouver.

World Homeless Day Facts and Stats

The 10th of October marks World Homeless Day and it’s a chance for the global community to acknowledge those experiencing homelessness. World Homeless Day draws attention to the needs of those experiencing homelessness locally and internationally, and provides opportunities for the community to get involved in responding to homelessness.

  • 20% of Canada’s1 homeless population consists of young people between the ages of 13 to 24,2 and at least 6,000 young people experience homelessness every night.3
  • 40% of homeless youth first experience homelessness before the age of 16.4
  • Over 50% of homeless youth indicated abuse at home contributed to their homelessness.5
World Homeless Day

Real Youth Overcoming Homelessness

During this time of year, Covenant House Vancouver reflects on the amazing feats young people have accomplished. To honor the resilient young people they see every day, they share their stories: meet Tara.

Tara arrived like many young people do, struggling to make ends meet, and not sure where to turn for help. CHV welcomed her into their Crisis Program and began to connect her with resources.

Tara recently said: “I owe so much to Covenant House Vancouver for helping me with so much. Four months ago, I had no self-confidence, and the staff here keep telling me I can do anything. Now I am very confident and feel like there is nothing I can’t do.”

You can read about her journey here.

Covenant House Vancouver
Covenant House Vancouver

Ways to Support Those Experiencing Homelessness

Here are some ways you can show your support and solidarity for those experiencing homelessness for World Homeless Day:

Since 1997, Covenant House Vancouver has been providing love and hope to youth experiencing homelessness. They are the premiere service provider of residential and outreach services for homeless and at-risk youth ages 16 to 24 in Vancouver. Follow Covenant House on FacebookTwitter, and Instagram for more info.

Related: September is Suicide Awareness Month, Homelessness and LGBTQ2S+ Youth, Indigenous Youth are Overrepresented Among Youth Experiencing Homelessness

References

  1. Gaetz, S., Gulliver, T., & Richter, T. (2014). The State of Homelessness in Canada: 2014. Toronto: The Homeless Hub Press
  2. Gaetz, S., Dej, E., Richter, T., & Redman, M. (2016). The State of Homelessness in Canada 2016. Toronto: Canadian Observatory on Homelessness Press
  3. Gaetz, S., Dej, E., Richter, T., & Redman, M. (2016). The State of Homelessness in Canada 2016. Toronto: Canadian Observatory on Homelessness Press
  4. Gaetz, S., O’Grady, B., Kidd, S. and Schwan, K. (2016). Without a Home: The National Youth Homelessness Survey. Toronto: Canadian Observatory on Homelessness Press.
  5. Gaetz, S., O’Grady, B., Kidd, S. and Schwan, K. (2016). Without a Home: The National Youth Homelessness Survey. Toronto: Canadian Observatory on Homelessness Press.

Black Arts Centre Events at Surrey Art Gallery This Fall

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Following their recent fall opening, Surrey Art Gallery is continuing to collaborate with the Black Arts Centre to present three events this fall related to the Black Arts Centre’s two exhibits at the Gallery, Concealed Cultures: Visualizing the Black Vernacular and I see; I breathe; I am!.

Black Arts Centre at Surrey Art Gallery – Fegor Obuwoma, In Memory of Who We Were, 2021, film. Photo by Four Eyes Portraits.

Black Arts Centre Events at Surrey Art Gallery This Fall

On October 8, the Black Arts Centre presents a film screening and performance. The program features works by Concealed Cultures exhibiting artist Ogheneofegor Obuwoma alongside a performance by Chipo Chipaziwa. Obuwoma’s and Chipaziwa’s works highlight themes of Black identity, spirituality, ritual, and female agency. The screening will be followed by a conversation between the Black Arts Centre curator Olumoroti (Moroti) Soji-George and the two artists.

On Saturday, October 29, the Black Arts Centre curators Arshi Chadha, Olumoroti (Moroti) Soji-George, and Vanessa Fajemisin will lead a guided tour of Concealed Cultures: The Black Vernacular and I see; I breathe; I am. Learn more about their process of curating these two exhibitions and how they bring together themes of community, language, racial violence, voyeurism, spirituality, Black agency, erasure, and cultural reconnection. 

On Saturday, November 12, the three curators will lead an interactive workshop about creation in spoken form. Participants will be invited to engage with mediums of spoken word such as poetry, rap, song, and literature as they interact with the boundless and changing ideas surrounding the visualization of Blackness and cultivate art inspired by language.

About the Black Arts Centre

Located in the heart of Surrey directly beneath Surrey Central Station, the Black Arts Centre exists to support and celebrate Black art and artists across a variety of disciplines at a local, national, and international scale by hosting exhibitions, performances, events, workshops, and other diverse programming. The Black Arts Centre is a response to our community’s need for a Black-friendly art and gathering space that is culturally relevant and accessible. The Centre not only conceptualizes art in an everyday sense, but also aims to foster mutual, transformational relationships that connect our community to artistic and cultural Black experiences year-round.

About Surrey Art Gallery

Founded in 1975, Surrey Art Gallery presents contemporary art by local, national, and international artists, including digital and audio art. Recognized for its award-winning programs, the Gallery engages children through to adults in ongoing conversations that affect our lives and provides opportunities to interact with artists and the artistic process. The Gallery is located at 13750 88 Avenue in Surrey on the unceded territories of the Salish Peoples, including the q̓ic̓əy̓ (Katzie), q̓ʷɑ:n̓ƛ̓ən̓ (Kwantlen), and Semiahma (Semiahmoo) nations. Surrey Art Gallery gratefully acknowledges operating funding from the City of Surrey, Province of BC through BC Arts Council, Canada Council for the Arts, and the Surrey Art Gallery Association.

Fright Nights Resurrection at Playland 2022

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Western Canada’s most highly anticipated Halloween event, Fright Nights at Playland, is back this autumn with new attractions on select nights from October 7 to October 31, 2022. Playland will once again transform into a terrifying Halloween-themed experience with seven haunted houses, 19 hair-raising rides, creepy decor, roaming monsters and gripping live performances.

Fright Nights Resurrection at Playland 2022

Warning! Not recommended for ages 12 and under, seniors 65+, people with sensitivity to strobe lighting or fog machines, people with high blood pressure, heart conditions, pregnant women or scaredy-cats. Absolutely no guest costumes or guest costume face make up allowed.

Opening Scaremony

Witness the Fright Nights RESURRECTION with a nightly Opening Scaremony complete with all of the creepy cast members emerging from the fog to welcome Fright Nights guests in a completely unique immersive performance not to be missed! (nightly at 6:00pm at the entrance to the park)

Early Access Pass

Guests at Fright Nights have the option to purchase an Early Access Pass, which includes an expedited line for park entry (beginning at 5:00pm nightly) and early access to three houses (Hollywood Horrors, Keepers Doll Factory and Darkness) for a $15.00 additional cost.

Carnevil Scare Zone

This brand-new area features three shows nightly including the incredibly popular Caravan of Curiosities.

Fright Nights 2022 Features Seven Terrifying Haunted Houses

Don’t miss the chance to experience one of the most popular houses in Fright Nights history, Hollywood Horrors, where killers stalk the halls patiently awaiting victims. This is the last chance to experience this house, as it will retire at the end of Fright Nights 2022. From a dark corner, a bladed glove glistens in the flickering light. Hidden in the shadows lies a cannibalistic genius. The sound of a rusty chainsaw echoes through the hallways of Hollywood Horrors.

Another highly anticipated haunted house is The Bloodshed. This family of mutated murderers and sadistic aberrations feed on your fear, and your insides. The house foundation is built on the blood and bones of their victims. They’ll kidnap and mutilate anyone who dares visit The Bloodshed. Enter at your own risk!

Other houses for 2022 include:

  • Darkness
  • Fear
  • Materia Medica
  • Keepers Doll Factory
  • Haunted Mansion

Admission includes unlimited access to all seven haunted houses, shows and 19 rides. (There is an additional charge for the Revelation).

Due to the overwhelming demand and to ensure a quality guest experience, Fright Nights is putting a cap on the number of tickets sold per day. Tickets must be purchased for a specific date. Event nights have limited availability and may sell out.

Food Options

In addition to all the usual Triple O’s, Pizza Pizza, Buen Gusto, Coaster Dogs, FunDunkers, What the Fudge, POP, and Treat Thyself options, Playland will be offering a number of themed seasonal items such as the Bloody Orange Sunday, Zombie Fingers, Vampire Cookies, Charcoal Cone, and more.

Fright Nights at Playand Food

Family-Friendly Alternative

Tricks & Treats at Playland (Get Tickets)
October 29 & 30 from 12:00pm to 4:00pm
Admission for all ages: $31.50 (includes taxes and fees)
Includes some rides, access to 3 Haunted Houses (recommended for ages 13+) and candy scavenger hunt. Kids 3 and younger are free with adult accompaniment.

This brand new experience is ideal for kids and scaredy-cat adults. It takes place during the day at Playland and includes rides, games, a candy scavenger hunt, and other surprises along the way. Costumes are welcomed and encouraged.

World Maritime Day is Saturday October 1

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The Port of Vancouver is celebrating World Maritime Day on Saturday, October 1st with free, family-friendly festivities both in the water and on dry land at Canada Place. In honour of this international celebration, I thought I would share some interesting facts about the Port of Vancouver:

Collage World Maritime Day Vancouver 2022
World Maritime Day in Vancouver is October 1, 2022

1. Port of Vancouver isn’t just in Vancouver

Technically, the Port of Vancouver extends from Roberts Bank and the Fraser River up to and including Burrard Inlet. That’s 16,000 hectares of water, more than 1,500 hectares of land and hundreds of kilometres of shoreline, bordering 16 municipalities and intersecting the traditional territories and treaty lands of several Coast Salish First Nations.

2. It’s Canada’s Largest Port

The Port of Vancouver is about the same size as the next five largest Canadian ports combined. Home to 29 major terminals, the port is able to handle the most diversified range of cargo in North America: bulk, containers, breakbulk, liquid bulk, automobiles and cruise.

3. Port of Vancouver + Canada Place

Canada Place integrated with the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority in December 2012 – since then, the Port of Vancouver has been the owner and operator of Canada Place. Canada Place is home to the Port of Vancouver offices, which overlook the beautiful Burrard Inlet.

4. Many, Many Trading Partners

The Port of Vancouver is the country’s gateway to over 170 trading economies around the world, handling $1 of every $3 of Canada’s trade in goods outside of North America. It enables the trade of approximately $275 billion in goods, port activities sustain 115,300 jobs, $7 billion in wages, and $11.9 billion in GDP across Canada.

5. What’s in All Those Ships?

Have you ever wondered what’s in all the ships that move in and out of the Port of Vancouver? Some carry shipping containers, which are filled with everything from clothes and electronics to grain and produce. Others move liquid cargoes like canola oil, chemicals and fuels, or items such as lumber products, machinery, automobiles, and cruise passengers. In fact, our port handles the most diversified cargo of any port in North America.

5. A Sustainable Port

The Port of Vancouver’s vision is to be the world’s most sustainable port, which ties in with this year’s World Maritime Day theme of New technologies for greener shipping.

6. p̓q̓al̕s

The land where Canada Place sits is called p̓q̓al̕s, which means “white rock” in Musqueam’s and Tsleil-Waututh’s hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ language, and in the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh language. The name refers to the white rocks once found around the foot of Granville Street. Many areas within the port authority’s jurisdiction have traditional hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ and Sḵwx̱wú7mesh names, some of which have stories attached to them.

Join World Maritime Day at Canada Place

  • When: Saturday, October 1, 2022 from 12:00pm to 5:00pm
  • Where: North Point & west promenade of Canada Place
  • Admission: Free!

This is the 3rd annual World Maritime Day event at the Port of Vancouver – the inaugural event was in 2019, and there was a scaled-down, socially-distant event in 2021. During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, they hosted virtual activities to commemorate the day.

This year there will be exhibitors and displays from the port community along the west promenade of Canada Place. The event will also have musical performances with maritime flair, stilt walkers, airbrush tattoos, the Shipyard Pals from MONOVA in North Vancouver, and more.

World Maritime Day at the Port of Vancouver

About World Maritime Day

World Maritime Day was established in 1978 by the United Nations to mark the 20th anniversary of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Convention’s entry into force. Celebrations are held throughout the world every year to recognize the international maritime industry’s contribution to shipping safety, maritime security, and the marine environment.

Miss604 is a proud sponsor of World Maritime Day 2022

Offleashed for the BC SPCA QA with Chair Tracey Wade

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Vancouver’s largest event in support of animals, Offleashed, returns in person on October 15th bringing together hundreds of animal lovers to celebrate the BC SPCA’s lifesaving work. I caught up with the Chair of Offleashed, Tracey Wade, to learn more about this unique event and the cause it supports.

Tracey Wade Offleashed Gala
Tracey Wade at Offleashed with “Wade”

QA with Tracey Wade, Chair of Offleashed

Miss604: The event is back in person after being virtual for a few years, I’d love to know more about its history, how did it begin?

Wade: Offleashed came to be in 2015 for a couple of reasons, all driven by a deep love and respect for animals from everyone involved.  Firstly, because I have worked for a long time volunteering for charity events I felt the BC SPCA, and the wealth of programs it runs throughout the province, was not widely understood.  Secondly, the BC SPCA had no marque event to provide a platform to share details of these lifesaving programs.  And thirdly, my life’s goal is to have a positive impact on as many animals as I can before I’m gone.  So, with my background in broadcasting and storytelling, we were off and running with his amazing event to celebrate animals and the great works of the BC SPCA.

Miss604: What makes Offleashed unique?

Wade: What makes this event different from other big evening charity events? So many things, but I think what our thousands of guests over the years would initially point to is our – Cuddle Lounge! We have rescued puppies, kittens, and other animals for our Offleashed guests to snuggle and learn about.  And a cool fact – all animals featured in our Cuddle Lounges since Offleashed began (in 2015) have been adopted because of the event! Another big difference that sets Offleashed apart from the pack is that I focus on education and growing a compassionate animal loving community.  I believe to do that we need to involve youth, so Offleashed warmly welcomes families. 

Miss604: Why does the BC SPCA need our support right now (and always)?

Wade: The BC SPCA needs community support now more than ever.  The past few years have brought floods, fires, a pandemic, an upsurge of housing insecurity, increasing food insecurity, and many other hurdles that have caused a spike in the need for help for the animals.  And I think we, as a society, are becoming more aware of the needs of others…maybe the pandemic helped this shift…I don’t know.  The BC SPCA is there first and foremost for the animals.  Absolutely.  But there are so many programs that help humans too, and with only increasing need, humans and their pets, and all the animals in crisis in BC right now, need support.  The BC SPCA is completely reliant on the public.  And it is amazing what this organization does and continues to do.

Miss604: I read that you’ve even had a puppy named after you at a previous Offleashed. For you, personally, how important is it to give back and become involved in such worthy causes?

Wade: Our Offleashed event in 2018 happened to fall on my birthday, which I didn’t tell anyone about.  But, one kind BC SPCA staff member figured it out and arranged for an adorable puppy being featured in our Cuddle Lounge that year to be named “Wade” (my last name).  Of course when I cuddled “Wade” I couldn’t keep it together, what a sweet soul. 

But as is the case for all of our Cuddle Lounge animals, “Wade” was adopted and has gone on to live his best life in a loving home.  I feel driven to do this work, as I do with my work in mental health at Coast Mental Health and kids health at BC Children’s Hospital, because everyone at a low point deserves kindness, care, and safety. 

I love working with the BC SPCA because so many of the organization’s programs are driven by community need and benefit animals and their guardians: pet food banks, free vet clinics, free boarding for those fleeing domestic abuse or entering treatment care, investigating acts of cruelty, educating children at summers camps and in schools, and the list goes on.  It’s easy to go on your merry way when you are not informed.  But when you know, when you see, you can’t help but get involved or support those who are doing something.  And I think, I hope, that’s what Offleashed does – helps people of all ages see and feel, and to add their voices to those standing up for animals in BC.

Miss604: What can folks do to show support if they are unable to attend?

Wade: Anyone can be a friend to animals.  Keep up with current issues by visiting the BC SPCA website, volunteer, and donate if you can.  But most of all, be kind to animals and all living things.  And if you see an animal in crisis, call the BC SPCA Animal Helpline at 1-855-622-7722.

Offleashed for the BC SPCA

The event takes place Saturday, October 15th, 2022 at 6:00pm at JW Marriott Parq Vancouver. Individual tickets and tables are available now – see you there!