Stephanie Gauthier - Contributor

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

乌鸦传媒淧eople run up to us saying, 乌鸦传媒榗andy, candy, candy,乌鸦传媒� 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.

乌鸦传媒淧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,乌鸦传媒� says La Berge. 乌鸦传媒淭he chocolate is mostly a token of trust.乌鸦传媒�

While the chocolate does help to build trust, her pink hoodie is just as important. It乌鸦传媒檚 the calling card of HOPE Outreach volunteers and is recognized as a symbol that the person wearing it is trustworthy and there to help.

乌鸦传媒淚乌鸦传媒檝e met clients out when I乌鸦传媒檓 not volunteering and they乌鸦传媒檙e a lot more hesitant with me than when I乌鸦传媒檓 wearing the pink hoodie,乌鸦传媒� 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.

乌鸦传媒淪he was the reason I got involved,乌鸦传媒� says La Berge.

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

乌鸦传媒淧eople who experience homelessness generally face a lot of stigma and a lot of hostility,乌鸦传媒� explains La Berge. 乌鸦传媒淭hey乌鸦传媒檙e slow to trust new people, and that乌鸦传媒檚 totally understandable. I乌鸦传媒檇 be reluctant to take food from a random person, too.乌鸦传媒�

HOPE Outreach is always looking for new volunteers.

乌鸦传媒淵ou don乌鸦传媒檛 need to have special credentials to volunteer,乌鸦传媒� says La Berge. 乌鸦传媒淚 made the mistake of thinking that and it kept me from getting involved with HOPE for years. It doesn乌鸦传媒檛 matter how old or young you are, you can help.乌鸦传媒�

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gary.barnes@kelownacapnews.com
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