Help for people experiencing homelessness
By Laureen F. Guenther Times Contributor
Photo Courtesy of Anchored Warrior
Two years ago, when Rosenau was a first-year student at Rosebud School of the Arts, she and her classmates took a theatre study trip to Vancouver. It was her first opportunity to visit British Columbia. Visiting Vancouver’s East Hastings was also her first real opportunity to observe the conditions of people experiencing homelessness.
“Throughout that trip you’re doing workshops with world-class actors, doing amazing theatre,” she said. “But all I could think about was these people living on the street. I realized that we have a very large problem on our hands. That’s no way for anyone to live. I wanted to be part of the solution for that.”
To be part of that solution, Rosenau founded a non-profit company called Anchored Warrior, and is planning to host a pop-up store in Calgary at the end of January. She’s looking for a venue and will have members of Calgary’s homeless community shuttled to the location for the day. Guests will be able to “shop” at no cost for essential items such as warm jackets, blankets, good-quality clothes, toiletries and children’s items.
The company name, Anchored Warrior, is a combination of words that, to Rosenau, mean strength, steadfastness, resilience and making it through the impossible. That’s what she hopes to offer people experiencing homelessness.
According to Rosenau, besides meeting their physical needs, it will also give them some of their dignity and humanity back.
“Letting them know they are important and they do matter, and people do care about them. Short-term, I hope it helps them make it through the winter and makes their lives more enjoyable,” she said. “But I’m also hoping it gives them a boost of confidence and integrity.”
She dreams of providing even more.
“I would love to see it grow to where we can prep them for jobs, bring them in for haircuts,” she said. “Get them ready to maybe start over again.”
Rosenau hopes this will only be the first of many Anchored Warrior events. She’s working to obtain tax-deductible status and would like to host an annual event of this kind in Calgary.
“The real dreamer in me would love to see it travel to different cities … in several provinces throughout the country,” she said.
Many might ask why Rosenau is doing all this for people experiencing homelessness.
“Eleven per cent of Calgary’s homeless population are children,” Rosenau said. “A good per cent is actually working homeless; they have jobs and are just trying to make ends meet.”
Some teenagers and young adults have escaped abusive families, she said, and for them, living on the streets is better than being at home. Whatever their circumstances “they’re still someone’s someone,” she added. “They’re still someone’s son and daughter, part of our society. Everyone deserves to have a second chance.”
Rosenau is seeking tangible and/or monetary donations.
“Blankets and jackets and all the necessities for winter are always appreciated and welcomed,” she said. “They can also help financially. There is a little bit of cost involved with venue fees, marketing, cost of new toiletries and some new clothing items. A little goes a long way.”
Rosenau also welcomes volunteers to help set up, serve at the event and take down.
To make donations, to volunteer or to find out more about Anchored Warrior, contact Hayley Rosenau at hayley@anchoredwarrior.com, visit anchoredwarrior.com, or check out their Facebook page (@anchoredwarrior) and Instagram feed.