Beloved youth homelessness prevention advocate Katherine McParland passes away
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KAMLOOPS — A well-known community pillar, and head of the A Way Home Kamloops organization has passed away. According to posts made by friends on social media, Katherine McParland died this weekend (Dec. 4). The cause of death has not been confirmed.
As a young adult, McParland had aged out of the foster care system, and experienced homelessness. She began A Way Home Kamloops as a grassroots organization, eventually growing the group to non-profit status. McParland was dedicated to helping other young people stay off the streets, and transition into a safe, healthy lifestyle.
Her advocacy eventually extended to provincial and national levels. In 2017, A Way Home Kamloops and McParland co-founded the B.C. Coalition to End Youth Homelessness in partnership with Fred Ford of Pacific Community Resource Society. The coalition works to secure safe, affordable housing for youth ageing out of care, and the supports needed to sustain it.
