The journey home: former homeless aboriginal elder, New Westminster school kids share a success story

Once homeless, Elmer, at 67, has a roof over his head in an apartment at New Vista Society in Burnaby thanks to a Temporary Housing Program provided by Seniors Services Society (SSS) and funded by United Way of the Lower Mainland.

As part of last year’s Homelessness Action Week, Elmer was one of several seniors who spent an afternoon with Lord Kelvin Elementary students to share thoughts and ideas about homelessness. The children worked with Cardinal to build cardboard sculptures that represent homelessness.

On Thursday, Feb. 4, 2010, Elmer hosted a class of children and members of New Westminster City Council at his new home to share the story of his journey. The Grade 5 class presented the cardboard art they created to the city.

Elmer was born on the Wabasca reserve, in Northern Alberta, and is a member of the Bigstone Cree Nation.

He has five daughters, one son, 27 grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. He was raised through the residential school system. Eleven months ago, he took work in Halifax and ran into multiple health complications. Without a plan, Elmer was medically forced to move back to BC. He has severe arthritis.

He couch surfed with a few family members he has in BC. He eventually heard about SSS and was assessed and welcomed into the Temporary Housing Program, which led to his new home.

Says Elmer, “You never know what life can provide you. You can ask people who care about you for help. You can always find help to fix what is broken and do things over again.”

Seniors represent the fastest growing homeless group in the Lower Mainland. Many are at risk of homelessness.  Almost one in four of the region’s population 65-plus, live in poverty. The number of homeless seniors in Metro Vancouver increased 259% in just six years.

Seniors Service Society is making temporary housing available to as many as 50 homeless or at-risk seniors annually. Through the Temporary Housing Program (THP), seniors who are homeless or at risk of homelessness are housed in simple, furnished apartments for up to three months while they are supported to find permanent housing. 

It is a priority for United Way of the Lower Mainland to help seniors remain independent and participating in their community.