A Kamloops women well known in BC and Canada for her work with homeless youth will be in Nelson this week. Katherine McParland is a guest presenter at a free public forum that’s part of Nelson’s Homelessness Action Week. At risk and homeless youth are the focus of this year’s events.

Wednesday, October 10, there’s a free public forum where youth and service providers will be speaking as well as special guest, McParland. She was raised in numerous foster homes in her childhood and later had several experiences of homelessness. She’s now Executive Director and Founder of the not-for-profit A Way Home Kamloops.

Ann Harvey with the Nelson Committee on Homelessness says her work has been well recognized.

“She’s kind of pioneered this concept of wrap around services for youth which has caught on both in name and approach nationally and internationally, She’s also co-chair of the BC Coalition to End Youth Homelessness.”

Harvey explains the purpose behind the forum. “We’re trying to explore community connections and bring the community in for a conversation with some wonderful guest presenters who can speak to their own experience of being in care and homeless.”

The forum starts at 5:00pm at the Adventure Hotel Ballroom Lounge (seating is limited).

You can visit the Nelson Cares Society website for more information.