Vanessa Fales, a resident of Spruce Grove, Alta., is making a difference in the lives of the city’s homeless population by operating a ‘Connection Bus’. Inspired by her late brother’s struggles, Fales is the community outreach coordinator with the Tri Region Pay Forward Kindness Society. The organization supports residents going through detox treatments and accessing housing. Fales hosted a bottle drive and fundraiser outside Walmart to raise money to operate the bus and provide essential necessities to people living on the streets, such as food, water, and hygiene products. The bus also serves as a place for homeless individuals to sit, have a meal, access Wi-Fi, and move forward with their lives.
In Spruce Grove, there is a lack of shelters or soup kitchens for homeless individuals to seek refuge. Fales and her team provide support to those living rough near the highways just outside city limits. The city’s community outreach team and social services are limited, with a winter emergency response being the only option for shelter unless activated. Fales explained that the team operates a pop-up tent program, providing temporary shelter and sleeping bags for residents in need for the night, especially those seeking recovery from addiction. While the team does check-ins with residents, the lack of official shelters poses a challenge for the homeless population.
Fales’ dedication to helping the vulnerable community in Spruce Grove stems from her brother Kevin Vezina, who passed away in a motorcycle crash in 2014. Vezina was receiving help from the Gospel Mission in B.C. at the time of his death, and Fales was deeply impacted by his struggles and the challenges he faced in trying to turn his life around. Fales and her team are funded by families and local businesses in Spruce Grove, with the bus lent to them by a local company, Computer Insights Inc. The goal of the organization is to eventually drive the bus around the city to reach more people in need, but operational costs are currently a barrier to that expansion.
The ‘Connection Bus’ provides a safe space for homeless individuals to access basic necessities, warm up, and connect with the community. Fales previously converted her personal vehicle into a crisis support van before acquiring the bus. The funds raised from the bottle drive and fundraiser will support the operational costs of the bus throughout the winter to continue serving the unsheltered in the community. Fales hopes that the support from the fundraiser will help them work towards their goal of expanding the bus’s reach in the city. The organization relies on the generosity of the local community to make a meaningful impact on the lives of those experiencing homelessness.
In conclusion, Vanessa Fales and the Tri Region Pay Forward Kindness Society are making a significant difference in the lives of homeless individuals in Spruce Grove. Through the operation of the ‘Connection Bus’, they provide essential necessities, support, and a safe space for vulnerable residents to access resources and move forward in their lives. Fales’ personal connection to her late brother’s struggles drives her passion for helping those facing similar challenges. With the support of local businesses and community members, the organization continues to make a positive impact on the homeless population in the city. The funds raised through the fundraiser will enable them to sustain and expand their efforts, ultimately helping more individuals in need find a path to stability and support.
