BC Metis Federation congratulates BC Metis Federation Director Wayne Lucier on his recent recognition. “Developing Partnerships helping vulnerable folks find and keep homes”
“There aren’t many things I won’t do,” said Wayne Lucier of his efforts to connect homeless people in Williams Lake with services to help them move forward with their lives. Lucier is the Homeless Outreach Program worker for the Chilcotin Cariboo Branch of the Canadian Mental Health Association – a position he has held since the provincial program began in 2006.
Since then, Lucier has seen his database grow to well over 400 people who he has helped. For many, that help has been as fundamental as finding them affordable housing; for others it might mean being connected to food banks so they don’t go hungry, or making sure they apply for and receive income assistance.
“The Homeless Outreach Program fast tracks clients; if I can register someone for income assistance and get them a cheque within eight hours, I can sometimes find them a place to rent the same day,” said Lucier. He also has close connections with a number of the area’s First Nations and service organizations as well as the local hospital and the RCMP.
Through his network, Lucier can connect people with grief counselling or anger management, advocate for folks looking to regain custody of children, and make sure clients with health concerns receive medical attention. He notes that, sadly, many of his clients now are under the age of 21, some are not yet adults and are in danger of falling through the cracks.
The local RCMP detachment recognized Lucier for his efforts with a certificate of appreciation earlier this year. It acknowledges his dedication to the safety and well-being of Williams Lake citizens and for being a person who makes a difference in the tight-knit community.
“It was a thrill to be recognized for this,” he said, “Without a roof over your head, people can’t move forward.”
[ilink url=”https://www.bchousing.org/Media/Stories/2013/10/02/5590_1310020853-026″ style=”download”]Read BC Housing Website Article[/ilink]
