York Region hosts forum to address homelessness

Community partners will discuss action plan to end homelessness

 

NEWMARKET – The Regional Municipality of York will host the community forum, Homelessness in York Region: Bringing Our Community Plan to Life, in partnership with the York Region Alliance to End Homelessness.  The event will launch the newly updated York Region Community Plan to End Homelessness, a planning tool that provides a framework for community action.  

 

When:               Monday, October 6^th      

                        1 p.m. - Media interviews and photo opportunity

                        1:30 to 4 p.m. - Forum

 

Where:             Varley Art Gallery

                        216 Main Street, Unionville

                        Town of Markham

 

Who:                Elected officials, human services agencies, educators, emergency services, health care organizations, funders and the community

 

Speakers:          York Region Chairman and CEO Bill Fisch

                        Town of Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti

                        Town of Richmond Hill Regional Councillor Vito Spatafora, Vice Chair, York Region Community Services and Housing Committee

                        Joann Simmons, Commissioner, York Region Community and Health Services Department

                        Tanya Shute, Chair, York Region Alliance to End Homelessness

                        Jane Wedlock, Coordinator, York Region Alliance to End Homelessness

                        Keynote address by Gordon Laird, author of Shelter: Homelessness in the Growth Economy

 

The event also offers the opportunity to view the exhibit, Hidden in Plain Sight: Living Homeless in York Region, a powerful exhibit of visual voices of people living homeless and at risk in York Region.  The exhibit runs at the Varley Art Gallery from October 3^rd to 10^th, and is presented by the York Region Alliance to End Homelessness and the community it serves.

 

Background:

 

The York Region Community Plan to End Homelessness is the second update to the original plan that was developed in 2001.  It identifies priority issues and areas of greatest need for homeless people in York Region with related activities, targets and potential partners.

 

For more information on the York Region Community Plan to End Homelessness or The Regional Municipality of York, please visit www.york.ca

 

For information on the York Region Alliance to End Homelessness, please visit www.yraeh.ca

 

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