Homeless Programs & Support

CDS is an organization that has been in providing services to the Lower Columbia Region since 1989. CDS started out by providing employment supports to individuals with significant barriers to employment and within the context of delivering these services it became very clear one of the biggest obstacles to maintaining employment was the fact that they struggled with housing issues.

CDS began actively working on finding solutions to address issues of homelessness and relative homelessness “off the side of our desk”. With no resources dedicated to implement a consistent and cohesive plan to create and sustain supportive housing for those who are homeless or marginally housed in our community, CDS began forging the framework to what is today the Getting to Home: Addressing Homelessness in Greater Trail (GTH) program.

In 2007, in an effort to improve the housing situation for low-income Trail residents, CDS created a social enterprise business that provides rental maintenance services for absentee as well as local landlords in order to assist them to maintain their rental units and provide options for housing for the individuals we support. This social enterprise now contracts with several property owners in the community to maintain over 90 rental units.

A CDS job coach works with individuals being paid minimum wage to complete work such as: painting, repairing walls, replacing plumbing, laying flooring, cleaning, replacing or repairing doors and locks and so on. This project has been a very successful both for improving the quality of lower cost rental housing in the community and for engaging individuals with marginal employability skills into the workforce.

Getting to Home Program: Addressing Homelessness in Greater Trail (GTH)

In January 2012 CDS partnered with the Greater Trail Community Skills Centre to launch the GTH program. The program was put in place to create viable and sustainable solutions to address homelessness, at risk and relative homelessness in the Greater Trail community.

The program is focused the following goals:

Providing direct support based on the Housing First model, assisting individuals who are homeless, at risk or relatively homeless to transition into safe and affordable housing;
The Housing Facilitator will develop a Housing Needs Plan with individuals registering in the program to determine needs and work with them to ensure appropriate supports are in place so housing can be maintained;
Acting as a liaison for both landlords and tenants ensuring rental housing is being adequately maintained and mutual respect for property is adhered too;
Facilitating the development of additional units of housing to meet the needs of all those living in a homeless situation, this includes looking at converting existing older housing stock into safe, affordable rental housing units;
Working with a Homelessness Action Committee to ensure strategic plan initiatives are resulting in a more cohesive and integrated delivery of service to those individuals requiring support to maintain stable housing.

Inspirational Highlights of the Past Year

The CDS staff appears inspired every day by the stories and resilience of the individuals they work with. The following are a few statements made by individuals about how they have been impacted by supports provided through the Getting to Home Program and CDS overall.

“I give CDS 2 thumbs up. I had lived my whole life wondering about FASD, I had so many questions but no answers. Within a year of moving to Trail and finding CDS, I was on a plane to Vancouver to be tested for FASD. CDS brought me to Vancouver and helped me through the entire process. I now have the answers I have been waiting for my entire life. CDS is helping me find a more affordable place to live and I am getting an Outreach Worker to help me with all my other struggles. I don’t know if I can ever repay them for all the help they gave me.”

(male, 34yrs old)

“I moved out on my own for the first time, CDS helped me find the place, furnish it and learn how to pay for it all. They gave me a job at the Thrifty Treasures Thrift Store so I could afford a nicer place that was close to my parent’s house. I was scared at first that I couldn’t do it on my own, but CDS taught me how and are always there when I need them. I feel more confident and independent and know now I can do it on my own.”

(female, 21yrs old)

“I was moving out on my own for the first time in my life and I was scared. CDS found me a nice affordable place to live and gave me furniture and other stuff for my house. My Outreach Worker has been helping me for the past 3+ years to keep my house.”

(male, 25yrs old)

“CDS is good if you need help! They took a lot of stress out of my life by helping me find a place to live and quickly. They also gave me furniture and other stuff so my house wasn’t so bare. After they helped me find a house, I got a CDS Outreach Worker who helped me get new glasses so I could see again! I had a toothache for months and my worker helped me get the tooth pulled and even got me a discount on the bill! I am now budgeting for rent and groceries so I am not scared anymore that I am going to lose my place to live!”

(male, 40yrs old)

The success stories as well as the not so successful stories inspire and motivate the staff at CDS to continue their fight to ensure that everyone has access to safe, affordable housing and ongoing support services to increase their ability to maintain their housing.

Why did I get into this line of work and how is it rewarding?

I knew I wanted to be a social worker from a young age. I had a social worker as a young girl and she saved my life so I wanted to give back the way she had helped me. It took me almost 35 years to get there, but after years of healing I finally made it and here I am today following my dream. I know that all the trauma and abuse I suffered needed to be turned into something positive so I work tirelessly to try and help the most vulnerable people in my community reach their full potential. I not only can relate to the client’s needs, but I know how hard it is to make the changes to have a better a life.

This work has been humbling and rewarding, I feel like I have succeeded in helping some people. I love my job and wouldn’t change it, I know I have a lot to learn but everyday has its own rewards. Some days I wish I could do more, it is heartbreaking but I know that it can be a long process with lots of bumps along the way so I just continue to walk side by side with my clients.

Lyann Hunter

GTH Housing Facilitator, CDS

Coins For Change Fundraiser

Every year the CDS staff get-together with other community supporters to spend the night under the Victoria Street Bridge on the Esplanade in Trail. This event is used as a fundraiser for the GTH program as well as creating an opportunity to spread awareness about the homelessness issues in our communities. The CDS staff and supporters gather pledges for every hour they plan on sleeping under the bridge. The event starts at 8:00pm and ends at 8:00am with typically around 20 or more people packing up in the morning feeling great about the difference they will make in the lives of others through their generous donation of time and funds raised. Throughout the evening there are prize giveaways, entertainment and keen discussions taking place regarding the issues surrounding homelessness.

If you have any questions about this fundraiser contact Sheila Adcock at CDS at 1565 Bay Ave, Trail BC V1R 4B2 or call 250-364-1104.

To donate to the Coins for Change Fundraiser Click Here!

The GTH program has received funding in the past year from:

Columbia Basin Trust
United Way
City of Trail
Coins for Change Fundraiser
Homelessness Partnering Strategy (HPS)
As well as many donations of clothing and household items to share with those accessing supports through the program

Homeless Programs & Support

Getting to Home Program: Addressing Homelessness in Greater Trail (GTH)

Inspirational Highlights of the Past Year

Coins For Change Fundraiser

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