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Calming those backto-school nerves Jessica Peters The Progress
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City officials are looking for support from other levels of government as Chilliwack continues to struggle with homelessness. The issue will be up for discussion at the annual meeting of the Union of B.C. Municipalities in Vancouver next week. BLACK PRESS FILE
Chilliwack vows renewed action on homelessness Jennifer Feinberg The Progress Chilliwack is taking its fight against homelessness to the next level. A new action plan is in the works by a multi-agency task force, said Chilliwack Mayor Sharon Gaetz. They’re determined to map out new strategies despite the fact that the local homeless numbers fell 34 per cent — from 111 to 73 people — last year. “Although this responsibility rests with the provincial government, we want to be proactive in formalizing plans that will help house people in Chilliwack,” announced Gaetz in a news release Tuesday. The topic is set to come up on the floor of the Union of B.C.
Municipalities at the annual convention next week in Vancouver. “Having a formal strategy will be helpful when approaching senior levels of government for funding and in identifying possible cost-sharing opportunities,” said Gaetz. But specific efforts will be directed toward “entrenched” homeless, those who refuse help. Homelessness is not unique to Chilliwack, but the consensus is that a comprehensive provincewide strategy is sorely needed. “Ultimately, we want the province to put resources into homelessness and initiate a provincial homeless action plan,” said Mayor Gaetz. “Although we are hopeful that several upcoming resolutions at UBCM will demonstrate this universal need
to senior levels of government, we want to continue the good work our community has been doing to ensure that everyone can access shelter and formalize a Chilliwack homeless action plan.” Given the reduced homeless count numbers that came out last year, it’s clear programs in place are making a substantial difference by offering street people a range of shelter options from subsidized to supportive housing. “We hope this task force will not only address health and wellness concerns related to homelessness in Chilliwack, but also that it will help better utilize public safety resources while ensuring all residents feel safe in our community,” said Councillor Sue Attrill, Chair
of Chilliwack’s Public Safety Advisory Committee. Added Councillor Ken Popove, co-chair of Chilliwack Healthier Community: “We are proud to have such a compassionate and caring community here in Chilliwack. We would like to encourage residents to make the best use of their donations by supporting one of the many social service organizations in Chilliwack.” Work on the new action plan will begin by identifying the causes of homelessness and strategies to address each cause. The new task force will bring together reps from City of Chilliwack, Chilliwack Healthier Community, RCMP, Pacific Community Resources Society, Ruth and Naomi’s Mission and Salvation Army.
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First day jitters can be difficult. The sweaty palms, the nervous speech, and separation anxiety can plague any child. But in general, those feelings are normal human behaviors, says Helen Edwards, Fraser Health’s clinical coordinator for the Early Psychosis Intervention Program. Anxiety is good in small doses, and can even help us focus on the task at hand, she says. But when anxiety takes over, it can be disastrous. “Anxiety is worr y,” Edwards explains. “Worry that the worst thing that could happen, Helen Edwards will happen. Our brain chemistry is not meant to keep that adrenaline going. It would kill us if we lived with that anxiety all day long.” So, she says, anxiety needs to identified so children can be given the tools to learn how to manage their feelings. “They don’t even have the words yet for these feelings,” Edwards explains, making the anxiety even more difficult. And it can manifest in different ways. Young boys and girls deal with anxiety differently, she points out. “As much as we want to say we’re all the same, there are differences between genders,” she said. “We respond to situations differently, and our societal pressures are different.”