Peer Ambassadors Network hoping to continue work on Kamloops North Shore after pilot

After going through training, the 12 employees making up the blue-clad group, including Dave Buchanan, have made their presence known.

“First thing we do is we pick up our kits, and we have harm reduction supplies, granola bars, and water. And we walk around, pick up any drug paraphernalia that is on the street or any of the alleys, wherever we go,” Buchanan explains, “And then we just engage with people if they want to talk.”

As far as input from business owners, and community members, Buchanan says he can tell the PAN squad is appreciated.

“When I’m in the park, you can tell when people are there with their kids and we show up, you can just feel people relax more because we’re there dealing with the problems and people that they struggle with.”

Compared to traditional services seen on the North Shore such as bylaw, the group has an advantage when working to connect with the homeless population.

Coordinator Cynthia Travers says employees all have lived experience of either poverty, addiction or homelessness.

“We’ve all already been there. We’re all homeless or ex-homeless. There are two homeless people that are still working,” she says, “and it’s to bring the information that we’ve learned the hard way, to share with the ones that are out there now.”

So far, the community response has been positive. With only a few weeks under their belts, members say it’s been quite the learning experience.

Gene Oppenheim says he was attracted to the program because of his previous life on Kamloops streets.

“Some of them know me. And they go ‘Hey’ and they know me by name. And they can see where you can actually go, right? And I think the whole idea would be to take something like this and have several of those people in this position doing this job,” he says. “And I know it’s possible, because I’ve done it.”

Similarly, Allen Primeau started out with the JUMP program in Kamloops, and has since grown into his new role as a Peer Ambassador.

“They really enjoy us being out there. They have a lot of respect for us because we’re there helping people,” Primeau says. “We’re there to see that no one is hurt. We don’t like people living on the streets; we would rather see them with a roof over their head, food, and medical attention.”

(Image Credit: CFJC Today / Kent Simmonds)

Ambassador Emily Leensill says she’s been without a home before, and feels that it’s important for her to help, now that she’s gotten back on her feet.

“When we first started, we had to call 9-1-1 for someone because they were [overdosing],” she says. “So it was good to give them a chance to go to the hospital.”

With the kind of immediate impact the program has had, Hilke says organizers want to utilize grant funding to continue.

“It was a pilot project funded through the province to try different ways to address the overdose crisis in Kamloops, and it’s been very successful,” explains Hilke. “So we’re hoping that we’re going to see the Peer Ambassadors on the street regularly, year round.”

In order to keep the Peer Ambassador Network growing, the plan is to apply for provincial grants, and eventually come before Kamloops Council to garner municipal support.

by Dylana Milobar

Peer Ambassadors Network hoping to continue work on Kamloops North Shore after pilot

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