Andrea Kiesser, a staff member at Hollyburn Family Services Society in North Vancouver, is being recognized for her contributions to the Seniors at Housing Risk Program.
As a recipient of the Bhayana Family Foundation Dedication Award, a nomination by United Way Lower Mainland, Kiesser will be honoured at the annual United Way Community Spirit Awards on March 11.
The Seniors at Housing Risk Program provides housing outreach support to North Shore seniors 55 and older who are homeless or in danger of imminent housing loss.
Over the past year, the program has served more than 300 North Shore seniors at risk of homelessness - 122 seniors were placed in more stable housing and 239 were prevented from pending evictions or housing loss.
"We receive around 20 calls a day from North Shore seniors, their support staff or the police because a senior is at risk of losing their housing. We provide over 400 instances of telephone support and referrals every month," Leya Egushi, co-ordinator of seniors programs for Hollyburn, said in a press release. "The need is huge, but with our current staffing levels, we are unable to help the hundreds of seniors that need help."
The program has been selected as the recipient of the 2013 United Way Celebration of Community Award for Seniors and the SFU Elder Abuse Awareness to Action Award.
Hollyburn also provides a host of counselling, support services and other programs to children, youth, seniors and families.
