By Geoff Smith - Lethbridge News Now

Outdoor party aimed at breaking down stigma surrounding homelessness

Jul 9, 2017 | 7:16 AM

LETHBRIDGE – For people who live in homelessness, cold winters aren’t the only problem. Heat waves like we are currently experiencing are another burden.

That was one of the things on Ashlynne Van Buuren’s mind as the chair of Shelter Me! – Party in the Park oversaw the activities on another 30 degree day Saturday, July 8 at Galt Gardens.

“We’re complaining that it’s hot today. You know, our folks live in this every single day,” said Van Buuren, supervisor with McMan Community Services.

Van Buuren explained the goal of the event is to provide information on the services available to those without homes, and to get everyone together to break down the stigma.

“I think a major barrier in our community is that we’re so segregated — apart from each other,” she said. “And there’s so much misunderstanding… I think that opportunities like this show the mainstream community — I don’t like saying ‘mainstream community,’ — but the community that people that live in homelessness aren’t bad people; that we’re all community, and we need to be here as a community to support each other. Because that’s how we get strong.”

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The park was ringed with booths from different service organizations, while live music came from the stage, and there were opportunities for food and children’s activities. Money raised was for McMan’s Homelessness Initiative.

“We have agencies and an open-air market that serve youth in homelessness, adults in homelessness, and then we also have our MCs providing information in between sessions.”

This was the sixth year for the event.