When you walk down 27th Avenue or past the shelters on 37th Street, it’s easy to think the solution to homelessness is simple: “They just need a job.”

But for our neighbours living in Vernon’s parks or seeking warmth in our shelter, the path home isn’t a straight line—it’s a maze. At our shelter, we don’t just provide a bed; we provide a roadmap we call The Plan. It’s a step-by-step process to untangle the web of barriers that keep people trapped in survival mode.

And in Vernon, the very first step often starts with something most of us take for granted in our wallets.

Reclaiming Identity

You cannot get a job at a local orchard, open an account at a credit union, or even apply for a BC Services Card without proof of who you are. For many of our guests, life on the streets has stripped them of their “legal” existence.

In the reality of homelessness, documents are easily lost to:

• The Elements: Rain and snow ruin paper certificates kept in backpacks.
• Theft & Loss: Belongings are often stolen or misplaced during frequent moves between camps and shelters.
• Bureaucracy: Replacing a BC Birth Certificate costs $27—a small fee that is an impossible mountain when you are choosing between a bus pass and a meal.

The “Okanagan Catch-22”

To get a BCID, you need a birth certificate. To get a Birth Certificate, you often need a brief letter of explanation, photocopies of two pieces of identification (one with a photo), and a signed letter of identity verification from a professional who has known you for at least two years. If you can’t get this information, you are effectively “invisible” to the system.

Without these documents, our guests can’t access:

• Stable Housing: You can’t sign a lease or a BC Housing application.
• Income Assistance: Even basic provincial support requires verified identification.
• Healthcare: Navigating the healthcare system without a BC Services Card is a constant struggle.

Why Identity is the Foundation of The Plan

Reclaiming these documents is about more than just plastic and paper; it’s about reclaiming dignity. When a guest at our shelter finally holds their new BCID, their posture changes. They are no longer just a “statistic” on Vernon’s streets; they are citizens. This is the key that unlocks every other door in The Plan, from connecting with WorkBC Vernon to finally moving into a place of their own.

How You Can Help

Our team sits side-by-side with guests, helping them with the application process at the computer, navigating the Vital Statistics website, supporting out-of-province applications, and acting as a mailing address for those who don’t have one.

Your donations directly cover the fees for birth certificates and ID cards. By removing this $27 or $50 barrier, you are hand-delivering the first “key” a person needs to unlock their future.

Support our Case Management Work today by donating $27 or $50, so we have the funds to help guests with their paperwork.