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By Chad Klassen

REMEMBERING KATHERINE MCPARLAND

‘Katherine was a force’: Kamloops community working to carry on legacy of youth homelessness advocate

Dec 7, 2020 | 2:19 PM

KAMLOOPS — Katherine McParland epitomized what it means to turn your life around and give back. Once on the streets of Kamloops as a young person, she started the non-profit A Way Home, dedicated to ending youth homelessness.

“We’ll remember her energy, her passion and her total dedication to the youth in Kamloops,” noted President of the board of directors of A Way Home Kamloops Louise Richards. “Katherine was a force. The part I would remember the most is her positivity and her energy and undying committment to the youth.”

ASK Wellness executive director Bob Hughes added, “Her boundless energy and her determination in the face of adversity, both from her past and right in front of her. You just did not say ‘no’ to this woman when she was persuing her dedicated vision of addressing youth homelessness.”

McParland died on Friday, although the cause of death is unknown at this point. She was 33.

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McParland left her mark on the whole community. A vigil has been set up outside the front door of A Way Home on Victoria Street with messages of gratitude for all she did to help the youth.

Former United Way executive director Danalee Baker first started working with McParland in 2015 when she worked as a youth homelessness coordinator through the United Way.

“Katherine is a brilliant, ambitious advocate for youth homelessness. She had this uncanny ability to make everyone who had influence and power and the time to listen. She opened their eyes to youth homelessness,” said Baker. “She was known across Canada, in our provincial government. She undoubtedly was one of the hardest-working people I’ve ever met. I’m sure wherever she is right now, she’s creating something and inspiring people.”

McParland spent much of her teenage life in the foster care system. She became homeless at 19 years old when she aged out of care. She eventually secured housing and went back to school, graduating from TRU in 2016 with a social work degree. For her work helping homeless youth, she was awarded the YMCA Peace Medal.

Hughes first met McParland when she was 14 years old. He says her transformation — from a youth in care to a youth homeless advocate — is an example for others.

“Many people in this community understand the challenges of coming through foster care and coming through some of the challenges, but she was that sense of ‘never give up.’ She epitomized the possibility of people overcoming all the obstacles in front of them to emerge to be on a national stage.”

A Way Home says after the grieving process, its role is to carry on McParland’s legacy and ensure youth come first.

“Our work will be to regroup and carry on with a lot of the projects and programming and vision that Katherine had established,” said Richards. “Making sure we’re focusing on the involvement of youth and their message and wisdom on how to end youth homelessness.”

A Way Home Kamloops confirmed today (Dec. 7) that the annual fundraiser, A Camp Out to End Youth Homelessness will continue as scheduled on December 11 to honour the cause McParland championed.

Donations can be made through the A Way Home Kamloops website.

Friends are also organizing a COVID-friendly memorial walk for McParland next Wednesday (Dec. 16) starting at A Way Home Kamloops’ office on Victoria Street.