Partners in Resources (PIERS) homeward West Kelowna Project is impacting the lives of Canadians in countless ways, from helping with family reunification, reducing the homeless living on our streets, motivating clients to move towards change in areas such as housing maintenance, community contribution, and employment.  In addition, we positively impact the community raising awareness around the challenges of homelessness, the worth and potential of our homeless community members, which results in reduced stigma and negative stereotyping.  We educate our clients to respect their community and participate in garbage pick-ups and community clean-ups.  Clients access our services largely through word of mouth, receiving referrals from our community partners and clients who have previously participated in the program.

The Bartley Shelter referred a new client to our PIERS team who was struggling with addiction and had a long-term Acquired Brain Injury (ABI). Our team were able to get the client on a schedule by getting them a cell phone to connect with doctors, an ABI worker and also provided a notebook/agenda to schedule all their appointments in as part of their life skills training. This was the start of us having weekly meetings supporting them with trying to become substance free. We started by calling Detox daily and Discovery House weekly. We would schedule weekly coffee meetings, where we also followed up on the client’s meetings, contacted family and their ABI worker to keep them on track. We worked on budgeting and finding them a room to rent in town. Originally they were on basic assistance, with  support from myself and their ABI worker, they managed finish the application and apply for Persons With Disabilities (PWD) financial assistance. Once they received their PWD designation we were able to find other housing.

They were still struggling with substances when first housed however due to it being hard to afford housing, a car, and their substances, they chose to not use and focus on moving forward to a healthy substance free life so they could be independent. They have now been substance free for close to 6 months and is in a new place with a landlord who appreciates how hard they work. The landlord offers them work around the building, doing maintenance and yard work, which has provided the funds to get a car again and have that independence they needed to feel whole again. We still meet to check in however, it is not as often since they are busy working and living their best life. When we now talk to them, they describe themself as happy, and with increased self-esteem.  They state that their whole life has changed since joining the Homeward Program.