Feb. 15, 2007  Rob Thiessen - "Hope for Freedom Society"

We were honoured to have a passionate talk by Rob Thiessen about the "Hope for Freedom Society", a Tri-City Task Group "Trying to Make a Difference With Homeless People". Last October, there were an estimated 177 homeless people in the Tri-City area.  80% are close to Port Coquitlam because of it's location with the river two blocks from town centre.

 
The Homeless are totally disconnected from regular society. The average time a person is homeless is 2 ½ years. Some only come out at night. They keep regular routines.  Many are not willing to live in a housing unit.  The homeless are suffering from drug & alcohol problems and mental illness.   This Task Force is being successful because they are using people who have been down that same road and fully understand the problems of the homeless.  Rod stressed that The Homeless is a community problem and reminded us that the Homeless around here generally are from this area originally.  The group is having great success getting through to these people and we wish them well. Rod asked Rotary for support in the work they are doing as funding is an ongoing problem.  For more about this group, go to;   http://www.hopeforfreedom.org/