The Okanagan has banded together to support the most vulnerable population evacuated by wildfires.
Late last week Turning Points Collaborative Society made the crucial decision to evacuate clients from both the Bartley Road Shelter in West Âé¶čAV and the Richter Street Shelter in Âé¶čAV.
The emergency response plan has provided some evacuated clients with space in shelter and motel units in Vernon. While clients, and Turning Points support staff, have been welcomed in Penticton by Ask Wellness and Penticton and District Society for Community Living.
Support to any remaining unsheltered individuals in Âé¶čAV provided at Metro Community from Monday to Friday, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
âWe have been so heartened by the collaboration and dedication of service providers throughout the Okanagan to respond to this crisis,â said Laurie Case, Turning Points executive director of communications. âThank you to the firefighters, first responders, service providers, and our own amazing staff for taking care of all of us, including the most vulnerable members of our community.â
Recognizing the reduced service capacity due to staff evacuations and other wildfire-related disruptions, Turning Pointsâ primary goal is to assist unhoused community members who wish to return to their home communities and natural supports.
The initiative is designed to assist anyone currently without housing and seeking Turning Point services.
âAs the term suggests, our intention is to alleviate the pressure on our frontline services. Instead of individuals relying solely on shelters, if they have the means to return home, we will provide comprehensive support to make this a reality, guiding them through every step of the process,â Turning Points sad.
âShelter diversion has been a successful program in Turning Pointsâ continuum of care for the past two years. We are collaboratively responding to this crisis alongside our community partners by launching the community shelter diversion program at Metro Community, and we hope it can remain a useful process well-beyond this current crisis.â
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