Vanessa Fales, a woman from Spruce Grove, Alberta, has taken it upon herself to support the city’s homeless population through her initiative known as the ‘Connection Bus’. Inspired by her late brother’s struggles, Fales aims to provide essential necessities such as food, water, and access to Wi-Fi to homeless residents. As the community outreach coordinator for the Tri Region Pay Forward Kindness Society, she organized a fundraiser to operate the bus and assist people living on the streets. Fales believes that by alleviating some of the daily struggles faced by the homeless, they can move forward and improve their lives. The organization also supports residents undergoing detox treatments and helps them access housing.
Fales and her team provide a variety of items to the homeless, including coffee, socks, warm clothing, hygiene products, bug repellent, and sunblock. Due to the lack of shelters or soup kitchens in the community, many homeless individuals set up encampments near the highways just outside the city limits. Fales highlights the challenges faced by homeless individuals and emphasizes the importance of providing a safe space for them to sit down and have a meal. The city’s community outreach team and social services do what they can to support those living rough, but there is still a need for more resources and assistance for the homeless population.
In addition to the ‘Connection Bus’, the community outreach team operates a pop-up tent program that provides temporary shelter and sleeping bags for residents in need. Fales mentions the importance of offering a safe place for individuals who are trying to recover from addiction and transition into a healthier lifestyle. However, residents must pack up their belongings the following morning or risk having them removed by bylaw officers. Fales is dedicated to supporting vulnerable community members like her late brother, who was trying to turn his life around before his passing in 2014. She hopes to make a meaningful impact and help those who are facing similar challenges in their lives.
Support for the initiative comes from local families and businesses in Spruce Grove, with the bus being lent by Brad Mastaler of Computer Insights Inc. The organization covers the operational costs and insurance of the bus, which is currently stationed at Rotary Park a few evenings a week. Fales dreams of being able to drive the bus around the city to reach more residents in need, but the operational costs are a barrier at the moment. She previously turned her personal vehicle into a crisis support van to provide a safe space for individuals seeking assistance.
The fundraiser hosted by Fales aimed to raise money to support the operational costs of the ‘Connection Bus’ throughout the winter months. While there was no specific fundraising goal in mind, Fales hopes that the funds raised will help them take significant steps towards achieving their objectives. The bus will continue to serve the unsheltered community in Spruce Grove, offering essential support and resources to those in need. Fales remains committed to her mission of helping the city’s most vulnerable residents and hopes to expand the reach of the initiative in the future.
