By Gagandeep Ghuman
Published: Feb. 2, 2013
If an image could stand for a thousand words, it did so in Room 108 at Capilano University on Wednesday, Jan.30.
As Squamish Helping Hands director Maureen Mackell spoke, an image appeared on the slid show: People crammed together on the floor of the Helping Hands facility on Third Ave. in downtown Squamish.
Helping Hands is now envisioning a new image: One where there is space, beds, and most of all, dignity for people who have no place to turn to at night.
Helping Hands is planning to move its shelter to a Wilson Crescent home, a move that is opposed by some neighbours who fear it will increase crime and devalue property prices.
At least six people showed up at the meeting at Capilano University, questioning the fairness of relocating the shelter in a neighbourhood they say is already beset by crime.
Helping Hands feeds more than 50 people every day at their current building. At night, the tables are moved around to make way for a shelter.
The shelter sleeps nine people, but there is space for 15.
The new space, expected to open in spring, will relieve the pressure off the present building.
“That building isn’t adequate and we are bursting at the seams,” Mackell said.
Crucially, the new shelter would enable separate housing for men and women.
Most women feel intimidated accessing the present shelter as limited space means they have to share the floor with men.
The Wilson Crescent home, with seven bedrooms, would ensure separate living quarters for both men and women.
The home, also known as Iris Place, used to provide supportive housing for people with mental health challenges.
It closed in 2010, but Helping Hands convinced BC Housing to hand it over to them.
Yet, a move to Wilson crescent is an interim plan.
In the long run, Helping Hands wants to move both its food and shelter services to a new location.
That could take more than five years and nearly $5 million in funding.
Helping Hands has asked for support from the council, and at least two councillors came to show it.
Coun. Susan Chapelle and Patricia Heintzman spoke about the need to support the Helping Hands society.
“Really, how do you have dignity when you have to sleep on the floor,” said Heintzman.
She said the new shelter location would be a boon for homeless women who are uncomfortable sharing space with men.
Coun. Chapelle said shelters and the availability of help for homeless can bring down crime rates.
Chapelle became emotional speaking about our communal need to help the homeless.
Maureen Mackell, too, found it hard to subdue her emotions as she read letters from homeless people helped by the society.
But some in the audience were less than moved.
At least seven people from Wilson Crescent showed up, concerned the new shelter would increase crime and devalue their property prices.
Wilson Crescent residents said they were told of the planned move only two days before the meeting.
“It feels like we were being hood winked,” said Evelyn Carson.
(Helping Hands seems to have finalised the plan with BC Housing before October last year, its letter to council shows)
Another resident said the neighbourhood is already crime infested and the new shelter is bound to exacerbate the problem.
“We are already at war with all of this,” said Rick King.
Mackell said Helping Hands is willing to work with neighbours to resolve the issues.
Jason Bechard says
What a crock o crap. I live on Wilson and they let us know 2 days before this meeting. They posted one small letter in the most inconvenient spot where no one could see it unless your staring at the ground.
These people WILL bring crime to the neighborhood. There should have been a consultation process long before they even reached this point with everyone on this street.
I for one will be holding Helping Hands responsible for any crimes in this neighborhood if this goes through. I have had discussions it with a few legal buddies and we, people on wilson and mcnamee, can seek damages because they are bringing that kind of service into a neighborhood.
anne bright says
How can anyone post that “these people” will bring crime to a neighbourhood. Crime is everywhere regardless of “these people”. How ignorant.
Dennnis Bartlett says
NIMBY Nothing changes unless you are part of it. Be proactive for a better community.
heather gee says
I applaud Dennis Bartlett’s comments about “being proactive for a better community.” There is not more crime in the area where Helping Hands is presently located. Women and men should be housed separately – each with their own bed, so the present situation needs to be improved drastically.
Carolyn Morris says
Life brings its challenges, and we all need support sometimes to help us through the difficult times. Over the past 2 years, I have had great pleasure in getting to know the people and the atmosphere at Helping Hands. Overall, I have found the people to be extremely supportive, kind and helpful. Last year, many plants were being stolen from the CAN Grow Community Garden. It was the ‘downtown guardians’ from Helping Hands who kept a close eye on the garden, and were eventually able to help stop the stealing.
Its easy to judge, expect and assume… but lets start with some trust, good will and community support of those who need, and deserve it.
Gagandeep Ghuman says
We live very close to the Helping Hands, and have never felt unsafe. There is the ocassional noise issue, but nothing so far that would make us regret the decision to move here on Third Ave in downtown Squamish.
Stephanie Nand says
I personally know several of the people who are helped by the amazing volunteers at Helping Hands. These men and women are great individuals who care about each other and look out for each other. Giving them a place to truly call home is a wonderful idea.
Brian Thompson says
If you stayed till the end of the meeting you would have heard that crime is not the main concern (albeit a concern). It is the extra traffic on a very dense one way residential street with no sidewalk or lighting but plenty of children. Would any other neighborhoods welcome up to 15 people parading down their residential street every night then be outside smoking in all hours of the night next door only to be put out on the street every morning joining our children on their journey to school (never mind summertime playing outside)? They are trying to put a bandaid on their problem but in turn causing more for the residents of a neighborhood with its own issues. It is ridiculous for the neighborhood to be grateful for Helping Hands bringing ‘guardians?’ onto our street. Helping Hands provides a fantastic service and is definitely in need of more real estate for their clients. The house they are trying to aquire is not the right location no matter how much smoke they blow up our asses. It’s easy to say ‘we’ need to… when we doesn’t include you. Yeah, NIMBY, maybe yours?
Andre says
I sleep on the floor and I have dignity. I didn’t understand that comment. In fact I would say millions of people sleep on the floor all around the world. She must believe that material things give a person dignity. What is wrong with sleeping in the same room as men or women? Does that somehow deprive a person of dignity? I’ve stayed in many places where men and women both slept and there is nothing wrong with that. There is no shame in being poor. I’ve been there and learned that. People who help the poor can be of great service, but deluded as well.
Dottie says
Brian: In response to what you wrote” It is the extra traffic on a very dense one way residential street with no sidewalk or lighting but plenty of children. Would any other neighborhoods welcome up to 15 people parading down their residential street every night then be outside smoking in all hours of the night next door only to be put out on the street every morning joining our children on their journey to school (never mind summertime playing outside)?”
You just described where I live, downtown Squamish, next door to the new Seniors Centre, at Rockcliff!
I ask you – where would the “right” location be – in your mind?
michael bigler says
At least you get to talk about it before it happens, instead of getting slapped across the face with no heads up at all. There was one fellow i knew approached me, from the shelter. I knew him from Norht Van where we lived previous. I said “is that you Tom” He said “Yes” quietly. I said “where have you been? He said, I’ve been in prison for 17 years for killing some people, but they only could charge me for one. I could’nt help wonder how i could do something to try and get him on a positive path. I was’nt even thinking about who, or why he ended some human life. We talked for an hour or so, i hugged him, and shook his hand. I was glad that if there was a killer living across the street that i knew him and we were once friend. He was dead of a heroin overdose two weeks later