Poverty Advocacy Nanaimo’s “Help with Applications” event at the downtown library in Nanaimo happened on Feb 22, 2025.
The event was profiled in the media here:
https://www.chly.ca/local-news/2025/02/20/poverty-advocate-group-hosts-event-to-assist-people-with-low-income-supports
Our volunteers Jonathan, Sarah, Nyasha, and Sara were an amazing team! We helped 8 people to complete applications, and then followed up with several of those clients to connect them with further support.
Some highlights are:
*Supporting a newly unhoused woman with a subsidized housing application at the event, then the following week walking her through applying for shelter crisis supplements from the ministry for a security deposit and first month’s rent. Within a week of the event, she had moved into her new furnished room rental.
*Helping a disabled woman to apply for the Disability Fuel Tax Refund program.
*Walking a Ukrainian Refugee family through housing options and referring them to the Multicultural society.
*Referring a disabled person to Together Against Poverty Society for help completing their Disability Tax Credit application.
We also handed out free hygiene products, snacks, laundry detergent from Tru-earth, and pamphlets from local organizations. Sincere thanks to the Nanaimo Foundation and the Neighbourhood Small Grants program for supporting this event.
