Whitehorse – Members of the Yukon Anti-Poverty Coalition (YAPC) and the Voices Influencing Change (VIC) program are excited to launch Poverty and Homelessness Action Week which runs this week, October 15th-19th. This year’s theme is “Lived Experience, What’s YOUR Story?”
“There are voices in our community that need to be heard”, says Kerry Nolan, co-facilitator ofthe VIC program. “We are encouraging those with lived experience of poverty, homelessness,food insecurity and more to participate in this election by engaging with the candidates and sharing their story. We want the municipal government to understand the needs of ALL thecitizens of Whitehorse.”
After a successful event, ‘Tea at YAPC’, which saw numerous councilor and mayoral candidates sit down with individuals with lived experience in Whitehorse, Sharon Stewart, having shared her story and heard from candidates, confirmed, “I am going to vote!”
Members of the Yukon Anti-Poverty Coalition are particularly interested in hearing about how municipal candidates will support community members who experience poverty or homelessness. Coalition members have also suggested that low income bus passes, access to affordable housing, access to and affordability of recreation, accessible public washrooms and increasing the number of safe cross walks are key platform positions to address.
Events during PHAW include articles in the Yukon News and What’s up Yukon, a sock drive andbake sale, CHEW ON THIS! Campaign, a CBC Book Panel on CBC Airplay, the release of the Free Food Calendar in Whitehorse, YAPC’s monthly meeting. an opportunity to discuss federal service delivery with ISC officials and presentations by VIC graduates at local high schools.
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