(Vancouver – December 22, 2021), Supporting the distribution of 50 winter readiness kits to unhoused individuals in Vancouver, Foundation for a Path Forward worked with Islamic Relief Canada and the Lu’ma Native Housing Society for this community care program.
Foundation for a Path Forward is the Official B.C. Faith Community Convener, working in partnership with Resilience B.C. The Province of British Columbia’s Resilience B.C. anti-racism network offers a multi-faceted, province-wide approach in identifying and challenging racism and includes 46+ organizations across the province.
The winter readiness kits that were distributed were prepared by the Islamic Relief team and delivered by Mujahid Ahmed and his team. They contained essential personal care items including: Gloves, Scarves, Socks, Hand warmers , Umbrellas, Toothpaste and brush, Soap, Lotion, Deodorant, Shampoo, Conditioner, Chapstick and a Comb.
Islamic Relief works with communities to strengthen their resilience to calamities, and they provide vital emergency aid when disasters occur. They help the impoverished access basic services, including education, water and sanitation, as well as healthcare. They provide lasting routes out of poverty through our sustainable development schemes. Their integrated approach to progress is transforming communities worldwide.
The distribution took place at the Klahowya Tillicum Shelter of the Lu’ma Housing Society in Vancouver and was facilitated by Veronica Belmonte, Program Manage at the Klahowya Tillicum Shelter. The Society was initially incorporated in 1980 to provide affordable housing to Aboriginal families and individuals with low to moderate income. The Society currently owns and operates an affordable housing portfolio of just under 500 units of housing.
Though their primary focus is to build, own and operate affordable housing, they have evolved as a Society and now provide a broad range of services that improve social determinants of health such as: Lu’ma Medical Centre; the Aboriginal Patients’ Lodge; Community Voice Mail; the Aboriginal Children’s Village; and Aboriginal Youth Mentorship & Housing Program.
They are also the community entity for the BC Region on behalf of the federal government and the urban Aboriginal community delivering ‘Housing First’ funds under the National Housing Initiative to urban Aboriginal organizations who service the needs of the Aboriginal homeless community.
Our next community distribution will happen in January, 2022 in coordination with the BC Muslim Association.
