BIA, Ruth & Naomi’s to expand pilot program to keep Chilliwack streets cleaner

CHILLIWACK — A program touted by local elected officials that helps keep the streets of Chilliwack clean by putting homeless people to work is getting a $125,000 funding boost from the provincial government to expand.

In a news release Tuesday afternoon, the province says a partnership between the Downtown Chilliwack Business Improvement Association and Ruth and Naomi’s Mission housing shelter will receive $125,000 from the B.C. government to expand a pilot program that employs people to help keep the streets of Chilliwack clean.

The program employs people sheltered by Ruth and Naomi’s Mission to work cleaning downtown streets, removing snow and clearing drainage. Approximately 40 people living in the shelter have already participated, the majority of them unhoused and struggling with addiction.

“I have spoken with the peers in the program who have stated to me that they feel like they were invisible to people on the street,” said Trevor McDonald, executive director of the Downtown Chilliwack Business Improvement Association. “With this program, they said they feel seen and recognized by the public for the work they are doing. That alone is a huge win.”