THOSE behind an annual initiative hope it forges important connections between members of the general public and the homeless community this holiday season.
Homeless Partners Christmas Wish List was launched in 2005. Not-for-profit and volunteer-run, it provides a forum for those without a place to call home to tell their story and make a request for a holiday gift (via a website, www.homelesspartners.com), to be granted by a member of the wider community.
"It gives the public an opportunity to connect with homeless people in a very safe and practical and personal way," says Port Moody resident Erin St. Jean, Homeless Partners' media co-ordinator. "We want to show the homeless that they're loved and that people care about them. This also shows the public that the homeless are not a nameless, faceless group. They're individuals with different personalities and histories and they can be helped in this really simple way," she says.
Founded in Vancouver by Dan and Jennie Keeran, Homeless Partners has continued to expand to serve more local shelters, and is now operating in an additional 10 cities across North America, ranging from Kelowna to Las Vegas, Nev. There are 10 shelters participating in the Lower Mainland, including the Lookout Emergency Aid Society North Shore Shelter in North Vancouver.
Project volunteers visit the participating shelters and chat with and compile the stories and wishes of those making use of the facilities. They're posted online and community members are encouraged to visit the project website, choose a shelter, read the stories and pledge a gift.
"It's really touching to go on the website and read the stories and you find yourself connecting and relating to homeless people in a totally new way," says St. Jean.
The gift requests are not extravagant, they typically reflect an interest in having basic needs met, including requests for clothing (footwear), transportation (bus tickets) and communication (phone cards).
Forty-five-year-old North Vancouver native Patrick's story is as follows: "He has lived in both Canada and the United States. In his work life he's been a cook, security personnel, janitor and landscaper. He would like to find work as a chef. He loves classical music. Not much into country. Right now keeping warm enough, he sees as his biggest challenge. But, Patrick still wants to wish everyone a 'Happy Christmas.'"
Patrick's Christmas wishes are shoes, size 8-8.5, and a travel mug.
Many posted wishes pertain to items that would help the participant get back to work. Bernard, 51, was born in Saint John, N.B. "Bernard has been living in the Vancouver area for about three years," his story reads. "He is feeling pretty good about how his drug rehabilitation is coming along. Bernard has done construction work as a labourer and is currently looking for such work. He finds getting enough to eat his biggest challenge."
Bernard's gift requests are size nine steel work boots with insulation and extra-large sized rain gear for work.
A number of participants post wishes for gifts for their children as a means of making their Christmas better. Dennis, 40, from Cranbrook originally, "lived in Nelson up (until) nine years ago when he moved to the Coast with his son to find work and a fresh start. Dennis has done work in construction, sales and cooking. His son, now 11, is living with the grandparents. Dennis is finding that affordable housing and transportation to be the major challenges in his life. He is focused in trying to get his life back on track."
Dennis' posted wishes include an extra-large dark coloured winter jacket and an Xbox 360 game to give to his son.
Thanks to community support, Homeless Partners has a good track record of granting the wishes of those posted and they're hoping to experience similar success this season.
"We've had people who are affected say things like, 'The most encouraging part of participating in the project is not getting the gift, it's knowing that people care,'" says St. Jean. "It makes a big difference when total strangers do a small thing."
Donors often opt to go above and beyond simply granting the wishes, dropping off handmade toques and blankets, or children's drawings.
"Even if you can't afford to buy a gift, you can give the gift of hope by writing a letter or a Christmas card because it's something personal and specific to an individual that makes them feel like they're not invisible," says St. Jean.
Pledged gifts should be dropped off at the North Shore Shelter, located at 705 West Second St., in North Vancouver, by Dec. 24.
For more information on Homeless Partners, to read the stories or to pledge a gift, visit www. homelesspartners.com.
