A New Path Forward in Addressing Homelessness
This innovative homelessness outreach endeavor is not just a project—it’s a heartfelt commitment to nurturing community, connection, and care for those among us who are most vulnerable. Empower Home is deeply inspired by the wisdom and values of the Indigenous culture and their philosophy of “all my relations,” a powerful reminder that we are all intricately linked and bear a collective responsibility to support one another.
If you are interested in volunteering, please apply here: Online Application
Thank you to TriCities News for helping to spread the word, read the article here
Bridging the Gap with Indigenous Wisdom
In September 2023, thanks to a $25,000 grant from Sparc BC, we embarked on a critical mission to explore the landscape of homelessness within the Tri-Cities, through research and feasibility studies. Our findings were stark, revealing significant service gaps, particularly in the realm of Indigenous cultural supports. The 2023 Greater Vancouver homelessness count identified 4,821 individuals living without shelter, a staggering 33% of whom are Indigenous. Meanwhile, in the Tri-Cities, the homelessness count stood at 160, with a glaring absence of Indigenous outreach services.
These insights have guided us to design an Indigenous-led outreach program specifically tailored for the Tri-Cities, aiming to fill this crucial void. While our focus is on supporting unhoused Indigenous individuals, our doors and hearts are open to anyone in need, ensuring that no one is left behind.
A Community-Centric Approach
Empower Home is built on the Indigenous beliefs of interconnectedness and shared responsibility. We believe that ending homelessness transcends beyond providing shelter; it's about weaving the fabric of community support, understanding, and action. Our program emphasizes community engagement and encourages volunteer efforts, inviting every member of the community to play an active role in this vital cause.
Our Call to Action
Homelessness is not just an issue for the unhoused; it's a reflection of our collective action and inaction. With 33% of our homeless neighbors being Indigenous, the need for culturally sensitive and inclusive support is more urgent than ever. The Empower Home program is our response to this call, guided by Indigenous principles and a firm belief in the strength of our shared bonds.
We invite you to join us on this journey. Whether through volunteering, spreading the word, or contributing in any way you can, your support is invaluable. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of our unhoused friends in the Tri-Cities and beyond. Ending homelessness is more than a goal—it's a community responsibility, and it starts with us.
Let's unite and transform our shared vision into a reality. For our neighbors, for our community, for all our relations.
At the beginning of our journey, our co-executive director and acting program manager for Empower Home, was interviewed by Tri-Cities TV to discuss this new program, you can watch the interview here:
It is important to note that our program is an evolving initiative that grows as we learn more about our community’s needs. Our indigenous-led approach to homelessness in the Tri-Cities was discussed in this interview with Ed Hall of The kʷikʷəƛ̓əm First Nation & Vanessa Wideski.
Helpful Resources
Highly recommended video series:
Where Are All My Relations?
We support our volunteers with training provided through The Homelessness Services Association of BC HSABC. If you are a Low Entropy volunteer, please email info@lowentropy.org to register for your account with HSABC.
If you are interested in volunteering, please apply here: Online Application
The latest homelessness point in time count in 2023:
