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Whitehorse Connects Event Draws 250 to the Kwanlin Dün Cultural Centre

Tuesday, 21 January 2020 14:56

A small selection of free clothing at the Whitehorse Connects event.

Today the Yukon Anti-Poverty Coalition held their first Whitehorse Connects event of the year at the Kwanlin Dün Cultural Centre.

The event is an opportunity for those who are homeless, living in poverty or among the working poor to come together for health and human services that are sometimes difficult to access.

Francis van Kessel is the organizer of Whitehorse Connects, and she estimates about 250 people came to today’s event to access a variety of services.  Individuals were able to access a hot lunch, clothing donations, haircuts, flu shots, foot care, photography and musical performances, all for free.  Also in attendance, were community groups offering free services such as Hospice Yukon, Canadian Revenue Agency, the Yukon Law Society, the Whitehorse Library and the Yukon Energy Solutions Centre.

Although a hot meal on a cold day is a major draw, Van Kessel commented on other services that have been particularly appreciated at the events.  She said that with tax season approaching, the volunteers from the Canadian Revenue Agency are always well appreciated by attendees, and there was even a lineup.  Other oft-overlooked services such as energy efficient light bulbs, grief counselling and law resources were also available at the event.    

The event’s mood was almost celebratory with the 100s of attendees chatting with each other at the banquet tables set out in the hall.  There were free photographs for folks, and a wide selection of winter and non-winter clothes for people to look through.  Several performers were on the main stage as high school students served hot food.  The Yukon Anti-Poverty Coalition says that although they push the initiative, the onus is on the community to come together and provide their time and services to the event.

The Anti-Poverty Coalition holds three of these events a year with the next slated for late May.  Van Kessel says she would love to hold one in one or more of the communities, but at this point she says the funding simply isn’t there.

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