A woman’s heartbreaking story has turned into one of community support and kindness. People from near and far are rallying to help a homeless woman in Kelowna get back on her feet.
After NowMedia journalist Kent Molgat stopped to chat with Faye on the streets of downtown Kelowna, we got to hear her story and how she ended up homeless with two dogs. That wasn’t the end of it though, as a group then stepped up to try and make a lasting difference.
Pets OK BC launched a crowdfunding page for Faye and her dogs Boo and Bear.
Co-founder and organizer of the advocacy group Eliot Galán set out with an initial goal of raising $2,000 by the end of July. That goal was surpassed in a matter of three days.
Right now, Faye is staying in Vancouver. Galán said yesterday that they put her up somewhere for two nights, drawing a little from the funds raised so far.
However, because of a lack of pet-friendly options, affordability, and resources, he says it looks like Faye will have to stay in a shelter until they can find a place for her to live.
“Unfortunately because Vancouver of course is in a crisis for affordable and especially pet-friendly housing, the only place I can send them is a a shelter here, until they can find a place to live. I am putting Faye in contact with every resource I possibly can,” he said.
Faye was previously staying at Cornerstone, the homeless shelter in Kelowna, but she didn't "feel safe there," says Galán. He added that she moved to the lower mainland hoping that there would be more options for her.
Galán told NowMedia this morning that he will be keeping the funding page open and will continue spreading the word.
“Even with a couple grand in her pocket, there is still the issue of finding a place, and who knows how long that will take,” he says.
Boo and Bear are being looked after, and Pets OK BC says that they even have a free grooming to look forward to thanks to someone's generosity.
Galán said in an update for Pets OK BC that Faye has expressed interest in buying a trailer, since trailer parks tend to be more accommodating to pet-owners.
“Truth is 2,000 won't go very far, so really anything above and beyond that is going to give them a much better chance at stability in their lives. We (Pets OK BC) try to help everyone by advocating for their rights, but sometimes advocating is not enough, and when I came across Faye and her dogs I knew I had to go the extra mile,” he said.
Pets OK BC will be providing updates on Faye, Boo, and Bear on their social channels, and are asking people to continue sharing Faye's funding page so they can continue to help her.
