Stephanie Gauthier - Contributor

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

香蕉视频直播淧eople run up to us saying, 香蕉视频直播榗andy, candy, candy,香蕉视频直播� 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.

香蕉视频直播淧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,香蕉视频直播� says La Berge. 香蕉视频直播淭he chocolate is mostly a token of trust.香蕉视频直播�

While the chocolate does help to build trust, her pink hoodie is just as important. It香蕉视频直播檚 the calling card of HOPE Outreach volunteers and is recognized as a symbol that the person wearing it is trustworthy and there to help.

香蕉视频直播淚香蕉视频直播檝e met clients out when I香蕉视频直播檓 not volunteering and they香蕉视频直播檙e a lot more hesitant with me than when I香蕉视频直播檓 wearing the pink hoodie,香蕉视频直播� 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.

香蕉视频直播淪he was the reason I got involved,香蕉视频直播� says La Berge.

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

香蕉视频直播淧eople who experience homelessness generally face a lot of stigma and a lot of hostility,香蕉视频直播� explains La Berge. 香蕉视频直播淭hey香蕉视频直播檙e slow to trust new people, and that香蕉视频直播檚 totally understandable. I香蕉视频直播檇 be reluctant to take food from a random person, too.香蕉视频直播�

HOPE Outreach is always looking for new volunteers.

香蕉视频直播淵ou don香蕉视频直播檛 need to have special credentials to volunteer,香蕉视频直播� says La Berge. 香蕉视频直播淚 made the mistake of thinking that and it kept me from getting involved with HOPE for years. It doesn香蕉视频直播檛 matter how old or young you are, you can help.香蕉视频直播�

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

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gary.barnes@kelownacapnews.com
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