An Okanagan outreach society is saying farewell to unheated shipping containers, having finally found a place to call home.
The All Are Family Outreach Society now just needs to come up with the first two months rent upfront, and to surmount that obstacle they’ve turned to the community for help.
Clary Lausnes, who along with her husband founded the society in 2014, said the small group has found a building in Vernon that comes at a reasonable rate and is capable of housing their wide range of services.
Beyond being a food hamper service, the society aspires to give people from Armstrong to Kelowna the tools and knowledge to sustain themselves through workshops and other activities.
The new building, while small, will be a vast improvement over the shipping containers the group was operating out of through the winter as they handed out warm clothing to street-entrenched individuals.
However, in order to get set up the society needs a small but fast infusion of funds. As a charitable organization with less than a year on its own — having left a Winfield church in June 2020 — they are not eligible for a gaming account to hold 50/50 fundraisers, or apply for other grants.
A fundraiser has been launched on Facebook to raise $1,800 to cover the first two months rent as well as half of the damage deposit — expenses that will need to be paid before the society can move in April 1.
“It’s a year lease, and we are nervous about keeping up with the costs, but we are going to go for it,” Lausnes said.
Until the pandemic situation changes, All Are Family will only be able to use the building for its food hamper service, as there is no room for clothing racks and other materials. However, they also hope to establish the building as an information hub, with business cards to counsellors or others willing to volunteer some time and effort to help those struggling in myriad ways.
“We’re really hoping to have a nice selection so people can come in if they’re having mental health issues, marital issues, whatever it may be.”
Lausnes says many have come to the society simply for moral support; someone they can talk to in confidence.
“We’re all about helping as much as we can.”
Those who wish to donate via an electronic money transfer can do so using the society’s email address, aafoutreach@hotmail.com, or get in touch to be given a drop address for cheques and cash.
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