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ALDERGROVE Your Hometown Community Newspaper for over 56 Years
| Thursday, August 14, 2014
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Numbers down in ‘homeless count’ By MONIQUE TAMMINGA Aldergrove Star
There are fewer homeless people in Langley this year, than there were in 2011. The final numbers are in from the one-day Metro Vancouver homeless count. It saw an 11 per cent decrease in Langley’s homeless population in 2014. On the day of the count, March 12, volunteers located 92 people who were homeless in Langley and Aldergrove. Volunteers went out to known homeless camps, gathering spots and to the Gateway of Hope to gather information about Langley’s homeless population. More than 900 volunteers fanned out across the region to obtain a 24-hour snapshot of people who are homeless. A preliminary report came out in April but now the final numbers are now in. The last count was done in 2011. At that time, Langley’s volunteers counted 103 people who were homeless.
In 2008 there were 86, and in 2005, there were 57 people homeless. When the count began, in 2002, Langley only had 18 homeless people counted. Most communities in Metro Vancouver saw a significant drop this year. Langley has the third highest number of children and youth living on the streets, with only Vancouver and Surrey higher. In fact, 16 teens were found to be unsheltered. But Loren Roberts of the Aldergrove Neighbourhood Services said that number paints an inaccurate picture. “We know of five youth right now who are living without shelter and four of those are not interested in getting help from us,” said Roberts. But Roberts said the numbers still point to the need for a youth shelter here in Langley, something that so far doesn’t exist. He has been working hard to make that happen and has received a lot of support from SEE: Page 3 the Township.
HARRY HUNT PHOTO
Colin O’Brien (at left, in white) and his fellow Aldergrove Over-60 soccer team mates are practicing at Aldergrove Athletic Park to get ready for the BC Seniors Games, coming up Sept. 9-13 in Langley. The Games will bring competitors from across the province and the organizers are also eager to hear from community members who wish to volunteer at the big event.
Free family fun, outdoor Seniors Games needs help movie night in Aldergrove Aldergrove Star
With less than a month to go until the Langley 2014 B.C. Seniors Games , the push is on to secure a few hundred more volunteers. The organizing committee is about halfway to the goal of 1,500 volunteers for the Games, which run Sept. 9 to 13, said Michael Jackstien, the vice-president of the Games. “Our push is to get the number of volunteers up,” Jackstien said. Volunteers can commit as little as a half a day to working the full week. “From directing participants along raceroutes to helping at the awards podium, there is something for everybody and all age groups,” said Games’ president Milt Kruger. The organizers are also challenging local groups to support the Games with employee volunteers. “The Games are a perfect way for companies to give back to the community through team
participation,” Kruger said. “Several organizations are already participating, but there is a need for more.” Two of the main areas more help is needed in are medical services and transportation. And for those without first aid, the Games organizers have a company which will train potential volunteers, Jackstien said. As for transportation, no special licence is needed as the organizers have a fleet of 35 cars, ready to drive competitors to and from the venues. Other areas in which volunteers are needed include: sport set up and management; lost and found; traffic control; security; hosting and medal presentation; results centre; and participant accreditation. To register as a volunteer, either go to the Games office, 101 - 20560 Fraser Hwy.) between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday to Friday, phone 604-533-8065 or email direct to: volunteer@bcsg2014.com
Aldergrove Star
Aldergrove Financial Group is hosting free family fun activities on Saturday, Aug. 16 from 7-9 p.m. The community appreciation event is being held in conjunction with the Aldergrove Business Association’s Movie in the Park presentation of “E.T.: the Extra-Terrestrial.” “We hope to see our members and everyone in the community at this event,” says Aldergrove Credit Union CEO Gus K. Hartl. “We want to show our appreciation and are thrilled to be part of such a great evening.” Prior to the movie show-
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Family classic movie “E.T.” screens Saturday at Aldergrove park. ing at dusk, guests can enjoy local country singers Robyn and Ryleigh, face painting, balloons and bubbles, games and prizes, exotic animals and more at Aldergrove Athletic Park, 26845 - 27 Ave. There will also be a bar-
becue and concession on the site that evening, and guests are welcome to bring a picnic. Co-sponsors of the event are the Township of Langley, Otter Co-op, Aldergrove Credit Union and J. Visser Art & Design.
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