Stephanie Gauthier - Contributor

Life has few universal truths, but Carly La Berge has discovered one of them - the unifying power of chocolate.

害羞草研究所淧eople run up to us saying, 害羞草研究所榗andy, candy, candy,害羞草研究所� says La Berge, describing her work as a volunteer lead with HOPE Outreach in Kelowna. For many of those La Berge helps in the community, that piece of chocolate can be the highlight of their day.

Since September 2019, she has spent as many as four evenings a week volunteering with HOPE. She dons her bright, pink hoodie, then heads downtown to meet other volunteers and together they hand out goods to people experiencing homelessness. These goods include water, food, warm clothing, harm reduction supplies, and just about anything else someone might need. The volunteers also take requests for items to bring with them next time.

害羞草研究所淧eople may not get as excited for these other items as they do for the chocolate, but those are the things that are really important,害羞草研究所� says La Berge. 害羞草研究所淭he chocolate is mostly a token of trust.害羞草研究所�

While the chocolate does help to build trust, her pink hoodie is just as important. It害羞草研究所檚 the calling card of HOPE Outreach volunteers and is recognized as a symbol that the person wearing it is trustworthy and there to help.

害羞草研究所淚害羞草研究所檝e met clients out when I害羞草研究所檓 not volunteering and they害羞草研究所檙e a lot more hesitant with me than when I害羞草研究所檓 wearing the pink hoodie,害羞草研究所� adds La Berge.

She points to HOPE founder Angie Lohr as another important part of that trust-building. Angie has personal experience with homelessness, substance use, and sex work. La Bergewas introduced to HOPE after hearing Angie speak at a conference.

害羞草研究所淪he was the reason I got involved,害羞草研究所� says La Berge.

It also gives HOPE credibility in the eyes of the people they serve.

害羞草研究所淧eople who experience homelessness generally face a lot of stigma and a lot of hostility,害羞草研究所� explains La Berge. 害羞草研究所淭hey害羞草研究所檙e slow to trust new people, and that害羞草研究所檚 totally understandable. I害羞草研究所檇 be reluctant to take food from a random person, too.害羞草研究所�

HOPE Outreach is always looking for new volunteers.

害羞草研究所淵ou don害羞草研究所檛 need to have special credentials to volunteer,害羞草研究所� says La Berge. 害羞草研究所淚 made the mistake of thinking that and it kept me from getting involved with HOPE for years. It doesn害羞草研究所檛 matter how old or young you are, you can help.害羞草研究所�

Read More: High housing demand likely to persist, Kelowna council hears

Read More: New census data offers snapshot of Canada害羞草研究所檚 transgender population for first time

gary.barnes@kelownacapnews.com
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