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Local students seek help in fight against homelessness

April 6, 2017   ·   0 Comments

By Mike Pickford

Four local students are asking for the public’s help as they bid to address what they see as a growing problem of homelessness amongst youth in Orangeville.

Lukhwinder Brar, Manpreet Kaur, Devinder Saggi and Anju Arora are currently enrolled in Georgian College’s practical nursing program and, as a part of their studies, the quartet were tasked with launching and operating an initiative of their own design to assist a local group in need.

Built into the post-secondary institution’s nursing program, the community service learning project is a way for students to better understand the ideas of community, population and global health care, says Lindsey Burrell, a faculty member at Georgian College.

“It is vital for our nursing students to understand and embrace the idea that heath begins in the community, with access to resources such as shelter, food, safety and health care. It forced them to practice self-reflection and broaden their ideas of what heath care might mean to different groups and why,” Ms. Burrell said. “By focusing on the root cause of some of these variables, they are better able to understand health and health care on a community level.”

The group narrowed in on homelessness surrounding youth in the area after carrying out a lengthy community assessment in an attempt to determine just how bad the problem was.

“We saw quite quickly and quite clearly that there is a need in the Orangeville area to help out homeless youth,” Ms. Arora told the Citizen. “We’re raising money and seeking every day essential items such as body wash, shampoos and conditioner, toothpaste, face cloths, towels, toiletries and clothing to help these people through a difficult time.”

“Our goal through this is to make sure youth in Orangeville are protected and have the basic necessities they need to live a health life,” Ms. Brar added.

Ever since it was first introduced to the community at its permanent location back in 2007, Georgian’s Orangeville campus has committed itself to becoming the best neighbours they can possibly be. This particular initiative was first launched in late 2014 and has since gone on to help numerous community groups in the area. This year, all proceeds will go to the Salvation Army New Hope Community Church and to the Choices Youth Shelter in Orangeville.

“Choices Youth Shelter and Salvation Army New Hope Community Church are both community groups that support the homeless youth and young adults in our area,” Ms. Burrell said. “It is imperative that they receive community wide support. Organized community projects such as this create awareness, motivation, understanding and a stronger, more positive link between the community and its overall health status.”

She added, “It is what helps to create more caring, understanding, compassionate and knowledgeable nurses.”

The campaign kicked off on March 21, and the group will be accepting donations until next Thursday, April 13. Drop-off locations have been set up at Professional Barber Stylist and Orangeville Sun Beach Tanning – both located on Broadway – and at Georgian’s campus in town, on Centennial Road.

“We’ve had a great start to this initiative and received a lot of donations so far,” Ms. Kaur said. “It was our job to spread awareness, the rest is down to the community and so far the response we’ve had has been great. Whatever people are able to spare, just know it will be going towards a worthwhile cause.”

For more information, contact Georgian College’s Orangeville campus at 519-940-0331.


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