Amid freezing temperatures in Canada’s British Combia, an Indo-Canadian driver is providing transportation companies to homeless folks looking for shelter.
Upkar Singh Tatlay, government director of the Engaged Communities Canada Society, begins his day earlier than dawn, shuttling neighborhood members with out a residence to a shelter in his white multi-passenger van.
Tatlay, who conducts a number of journeys from the tip of November to March, when temperatures attain sub-zero, emphasised the life-threatening dangers of publicity to bitter chilly. “There are such a lot of folks that want help,” Tatlay informed CBC Information.
Tatlay picks people from an in a single day shelter in Surrey and transports them to the society’s daytime warming centre within the neighbouring metropolis of White Rock.
Though an in a single day shelter is current in south Surrey, customers need to vacate it earlier than 6:30 am. Tatlay ensures the protected transportation of those people to the daytime facility, funded by town and public donations. The ability operates from 7 am to 10 pm on North Bluff Street.
Tatlay additionally actively seeks out these in want of shelter. The varied group he encounters consists of seniors, hospital discharges, and people who’re renovicted.
“We see seniors, we see folks which were discharged from the hospital, we see people who find themselves renovicted,” mentioned Tatlay.
He additional emphasised, “We additionally see a variety of of us who’ve good jobs, however they only do not examine to the astronomical rents, price of residing, and meals.”
Upon arrival on the warming centre, the homeless persons are greeted with meals and heat drinks. They’re additionally given entry to psychological well being and medical sources, other than heat clothes and blankets.
Tatlay’s dedication exemplifies resilience and compassion, providing a lifeline to these navigating the cruel winter with out a place to name residence.