Homeless veterans shelter on tap for Trail; Remembrance ceremonies tomorrow
By Kyra Hoggan
Trail will prove itself a provincial pioneer this spring by creating the Interior’s first homeless shelter for veterans.
Glenn Hodge, first vice-president for the BC/Yukon Command of the Royal Canadian Legion, said the whole things started eight or nine years ago with a homeless veterans shelter in Victoria. It grew from there, and they now house 14 veterans in a variety of locations within the program.
“We had an opportunity here in Trail to buy a duplex, and we’re in negotiations now,” he said, adding they hope to be opening by next spring.
He said a news report issued last year indicated the area has roughly 100 homeless people – and statistics say that, of those, between 8 and 12 per cent will be veterans.
“There are homeless veterans all over the province,” he said, adding this shelter will serve veterans from throughout the region.
He said they start off by providing safe shelter, then work with the veterans to determine what challenges need to be overcome, from PTSD to work transition to substance abuse, then provide support, programming and options to help the veterans rebuild.
“Then slowly, as they get back on their feet and get jobs, they start to pay rent, starting low until it’s up to market value, then we help them find a place of their own, and they take everything they need with them – appliances, furniture, bedding, whatever they need,” he said. “Then we provide all new furnishing for the next veteran.
“It could be two years, it could be three years – whatever it takes.”
He said they don’t receive any government funding – it all comes through private donations, and some from the Legion’s poppy fund, which also helps pay for innovative programs like service dogs for PTSD, cadet programs, etc.
“It’s basically soldiers helping soldiers, at the end of the day,” he said.
Fundraising for the Trail effort hasn’t yet started, but anyone who would like to donate is certainly welcome to contact Hodge at 250-364-2533 or via email at glenn.hodge@shaw.ca
Meanwhile, preparations for tomorrow’s Remembrance Day ceremonies are well under way, with mustering to start at the Fortis building at the end of the Esplanade at 10:30 a.m. The parade will then march to the Cenotaph, where Hodge will emcee a roughly 20 minute ceremony, and then all will march back to the Fortis building. The rest of the day will see family-friendly activities with hot chocolate and the like at the United Church, and live entertainment at the Trail Legion at 2141 Columbia Avenue.
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