My name is Nancy. Homelessness is defined in the community of the Cowichan Valley, as people living in spaces that do not meet basic health and safety standards including protection from the elements, access to safe water and sanitation, security of tenure, personal safety and housing affordability.
Aboriginal homeless people are survivors of the residential school system and suffer from post traumatic stress, and have experienced many losses due to colonization, including loss of language, culture and identity.
In my place of employment, we provide an outreach program to provide a hot meal and other basic toiletries. Another agency provides daily breakfast.
Reference: Inadequate Shelter n the Cowichan Valley. A Report by Social Planning Cowichan. Spring 2007. Ch. 8. P. 47
17:49, 13 June 2014 (UTC)Josephine49 (talk)