If the city won’t fund a rainbow crosswalk, we will.
That’s the message from Katrina Shelast and Jerome Bouvier, who are spearheading the effort and are expected to speak to Coquitlam council Monday about the importance of the initiative in raising awareness and highlighting diversity in the community.
“For the people right now asking what they can do, this is what they can do,” Shelast said of the fundraising effort. “This is a call to action.”
The hair salon owner said she was motivated to do something after reading the social media reaction to the proposed crosswalk when it was first reported on by The Tri-City News earlier this month.
If the community can cover the expense of the crosswalk, believed to be between $7,500 to $8,000, it will be one less reason for people to oppose the initiative, Bouvier said.
“We wanted to take the money issue off the table,” he said.
The pair acknowledged that Coquitlam council has yet to approve the installation of a rainbow crosswalk. If the project does not move forward, they said the money will be dispersed to fund programs in the community that highlight diversity and acceptance.
Shelast and Bouvier launched the online FundRazr campaign earlier this week with a fundraising goal of $10,000, which they said should cover the cost of the crosswalk as well as fees associated with the fundraising website. Any leftover money from the crosswalk would be donated to community groups.
Bouvier, who is also the executive director of Access Youth Outreach Services, said initiatives like the rainbow crosswalk go a long way toward making people — particularly young people — feel welcome in their community.
“This is a symbol that talks about inclusivity and acceptance, lover and caring,” he said. “One of the things we have seen is that when kids from the community are of age and able to move out, they leave the Tri-Cities and go to Vancouver because they feel more welcome.”
HOW TO GIVE
• To donate to the campaign, go to fundrazr.com and search “Coquitlam rainbow crosswalk.”
@gmckennaTC
