Coquitlam Centre will be ground zero this and next week for a regional homeless count of Tri-City teens.
On Thursday and Friday, between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m., the mall will have a booth set up on the second level (by Ann-Louise Jewellers) for Access Youth Outreach Services to talk with teens who are — or know someone who is — without a home.
The non-profit group will hand out free transit passes and tickets for a chance to win a new bike to entice youth — aged 13 to 24 — to speak up about their challenges and find the necessary services to get help.
Hannah Metcalfe, ACCESS’ supervisor of outreach programs, said her organization is pleased with the Coquitlam Centre partnership for Metro Vancouver’s first-ever homeless count dedicated to youth as many Tri-City teens frequent the mall after school and at night.
Last year, ACCESS took part in the one-day regional homeless count; however, it was geared for adults as well as youth. At that time, Metcalfe counted six young people who were defined as homeless — that is, being unable to return to their usual residence because of safety fears; all of them were “hidden,” meaning they were staying with a friend or couch surfing until they found their footing.
But this year, the Metro count takes place over nine days, from April 4 to 12, which gives ACCESS more time to get the word out to homeless kids via the mall, their mobile bus centre and through civic youth hubs, among other places.
“It’s not just a snapshot of one day,” Metcalfe said. “Now it’s also happening mid-week so we are hopeful that it will be more successful and an accurate number.”
Metro also hopes to gain feedback through social media channels, using the hashtag #YouthCount2018. The responses the youth give to surveys are anonymous and help shape the needs for affordable housing and other future policies.
As well, Metcalfe said ACCESS has recruited some high school students (and paying them an honorarium) to ensure the message about the count is wide-spread in School District 43.
Metcalfe said the services are slim for homeless youth in the Tri-Cities. If they’re not able to find accommodation through a friend or relative, their only choice is to live on the streets or head downtown to Covenant House Vancouver or shelters in Surrey.
With the count at Coquitlam Centre, “we’ll be walking around the mall as well so there won’t be any stigma attached if they approach us…. We just want to chat and spread the awareness.”
• Visit youthcount.ca for more details about the Metro Vancouver Youth Homeless Count.
