By Duane Grandbois

Vernon Teen Group Wants Change to Homeless Situation

Feb 25, 2018 | 11:15 AM

A small group of concerned Vernon teens have put together a group called Canadian Youth for Change and they’ve set their sights on the homeless situation in Vernon.

Spokesperson Kieran Grandbois says, in their opinion, progress towards addressing this issue needs to be accelerated. “We believe this is a major situation which the citizens of Vernon demand change and that change is being delivered at an excruciatingly slow rate”.

The group applauds what the Provincial Government has done so far with low cost affordable housing and urges they continue on that path. Their desire is to see affordable housing made available to families with or without children equally. Grandbois says “The City’s contribution to this issue could start at subsidizing the shelters”.

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The reason they decided to move ahead with this initiative now, was that they believed if they simply made a presentation to City Council it would have been politely acknowledged and perhaps just brushed off.

“We believe that the homeless population of Vernon has been treated unjustly…and just suggesting that they simply need to move to other places is not a viable or progressive option in our opinion”, Grandbois reiterates.

Although not against the increasing of the City’s recreational facilities, they would like Council to focus on ways to help the homeless live better more productive lives…then deal with recreational expansion. It’s a matter of ‘focus adjusting’…in their opinion.

Although small in numbers at this stage, they feel a need to create awareness on the ground is necessary and that will happen this Saturday at 12 noon in front of City Hall.

The group will spearhead a gathering of like minded individuals, of any age group, with the intent to accelerate movement towards a better homeless situation in Vernon.

Photo: Global News File

by Duane Grandbois