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FRIDAY, FRIDAY, DECEMBER DECEMBER 18, 18, 2015 2015
Gimme shelter
Survey paints portrait of city’s homeless Kristen Douglas Campbell RiveR miRRoR
A recent homeless count reveals there are at least 52 unsheltered homeless living on Campbell River streets. And of the 52 who were surveyed, 52 per cent are Aboriginal, which is up from 40 per cent in 2009 when the last homeless count was done. On average, a homeless person in Campbell River is male, 45-yearsold, Aboriginal, and is afflicted with an addiction, mental health issue or physical disability. A total of 40 per cent of survey respondents reported having a mental illness while 63.5 per cent said they have an addiction or engage in substance abuse. A further 44 per cent reported having a physical disability and 60 per cent said they have a medical condition. Those statistics were developed over a 51-hour period between Sept. 12 to 14 by Patricia Orr and Raymond Allan, hired by the city to conduct the homeless count through interviews and a paper survey. The two-page survey contained 17 questions and was broken down into two sections – one pertaining to
Roasting chestnuts
Franco Sartor of the Campbell River Italian Cultural Society roasts chestnuts in a sheltered spot outside the museum last Saturday. The society was participating in the Museum at Campbell River’s Christmas activities. See more pictures on page 14.
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New Horizons and union disagree about impact of scheduling change MiKe Davies Campbell RiveR miRRoR
AlistAir tAylor/CAmpbell river mirror
Some staff of New Horizons Care Home, their union and family members of those living in the facility are crying foul again after what they say is a proposal by the facility’s operator to cut staff hours beginning in the new year. This week they took to the streets, town hall forums and city council chambers to express their displeasure. Meanwhile, New Horizons management says the allegations being put forth by the union are inaccurate. An informal gathering of concerned parties gathered along 16th Avenue beside the facility on Wednesday to discuss the matter. Two days before, Lois Jarvis, representing Campbell River Citizens for Quality Health Care – a group devoted to ensuring adequate healthcare facilities in the region – and Barb Biley, regional vice-president of the Hospital Employees’ Union (HEU) for Vancouver Island North, who represent the employees of New Horizons, presented their views on the topic at the last meeting of the calendar year of Campbell
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