'It took on a life of its own': Remembering Camp Hope a year later
One year ago, tents were pitched at Core Community Park in what became known as Camp Hope.
The camp became a place for people experiencing homelessness to gather and get much needed support.
Alysia Johnson, an advocate for Rally Around Homelessness said the camp highlighted the homelessness problem in the city of Regina.
“This is important to people,” Johnson said. “We just want to follow through and finish the job and end homelessness in our community.”
Johnson added she never imagined the camp growing the way it did and the impact it had on the community.
“It took on a life of its own. The moment that first tent went up, then it was 12 and then it was 30, and then it was 70,” she explained.
“There is some sadness because I know there are so many people left behind and they are really struggling. There has been a lot of death since camp shut down.”
In honour of Camp Hope, community members gathered at Core Community Park on Saturday, giving out food and other everyday essentials to those in need.
Donated coats and winter wear were also available as more and more people prepare for the winter season.
“They brought everything from coats, jackets, mitts, food, wellness packs,” Leanne Jarocki explained, who volunteered at the park.
Jarocki lives in the community and has noticed an increase in the amount of people experiencing homelessness.
“The issue of poverty and homelessness is a lot more prevalent than most people think,” Jarocki said. “I see a lot of people on the streets, people sleeping in doorways, and in empty lots.”
Camp Hope has left its mark in more ways than one.
Traditional medicine from Indigenous elders now grow in spots where fires were once lit to keep people at the camp warm.
“It felt like a really beautiful sign, you know, from the earth that said that there was a lot of love here,” Johnson said.
Johnson added that the work to end homelessness isn’t over.
“Obviously, we have a lot of work to do,” she said. “But it also gives me a lot of hope that people continue to show up when they're asked.”
A candlelight vigil will be held at Core Community Park on Saturday night.
The event is dedicated to the former residents of Camp Hope who have since died as a result of homelessness.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
4th Indian national arrested, charged with murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Homicide investigators in B.C. say murder charges have been laid against a fourth Indian national in connection to the killing of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar outside a Surrey gurdwara last year.
'I am angry': Alberta farmers will continue fight over world class motorsport resort
The rolling hills leading to the hamlet of Rosebud are dotted with sprawling farms and cattle pastures -- and a sign sporting a simple message: No Race Track.
Man ticketed after allegedly trespassing again at Drake's Bridle Path mansion to get his bike
A man who tried to access Drake’s Bridle Path mansion earlier this week returned to the property Saturday and was apprehended again for allegedly trespassing, Toronto police say.
Couple randomly attacked, 1 stabbed, by group of teens in Toronto, police say
A man has been transported to hospital after police say he was stabbed in a random attack carried out by a group of teens in Toronto on Friday night.
Millions of Canadians have been exposed to potentially toxic chemicals, and they're not going anywhere
For decades, North Bay, Ontario's water supply has harboured chemicals associated with liver and developmental issues, cancer and complications with pregnancy. It's far from the only city with that problem.
Biden calls Trump 'unhinged,' says 'something snapped' in former president after he lost 2020 U.S. election
U.S. President Joe Biden on Saturday called Donald Trump “clearly unhinged” and claimed that “something snapped” in the former president after he lost the 2020 election.
Wildfire that forced evacuation of Fort Nelson, B.C., caused by tree falling on wires, mayor says
The wildfire that prompted the evacuation of more than 3,000 people near Fort Nelson, B.C., was caused by a tree falling on wires, according to the municipality's mayor.
Switzerland's Nemo wins 68th Eurovision Song Contest
Swiss singer Nemo won the 68th Eurovision Song Contest on Saturday night with 'The Code,' an operatic ode to the singer’s journey toward embracing their nongender identity.
IN PICTURES Northern lights dance across the night sky in southern Ont.
From London, to Grand Bend, Collingwood and Guelph, here are some highlights of Friday night and Saturday morning's northern lights display.