S yy Shih thsue: (Y UNIBUG returns with ‘Bugs with Benefits’ (¥Y Vancouver's 2015 homeless count begins (Y¥ Quadcopters of the Amazon And more! No place for young wolves » Young Wolves Lodge closes its doors to young aboriginal women Mercedes Deutscher Staff Writer n March 31, aboriginal women’s shelter Young Wolves Lodge closed its doors after 12 years due to lack of funding. The Young Wolves Lodge, a sect of the United Native Youth Association (UNYA) served as transitional housing for young aboriginal women at risk of homelessness. The lodge was located in the Downtown Eastside and assisted over 100 young women. Women were allowed to stay in the house for up to 16 weeks, provided that they abstained from alcohol and drug abuse. A priority was given to young mothers, and women living in the lodge were taught parenting skills in order to regain custody of their children or to be prepared for parenthood later on. There were also programs provided to assist its residents, such as addiction recovery and education, parental support classes, cultural activities, and : personal counselling. The lodge found itself : without a large portion of : its funding after the federal : government would not : guarantee their 26 per cent : share of the house for another : year. Executive director Dena : Klashinsky was compelled to : either close the lodge or face a : $7,000-per-month deficit. The remaining funding for : the lodge was provided by other : : local associations. The Coming: : Home Society has been the : primary sponsor of the lodge : since its opening. The Urban : Aboriginal Homelessness : Committee was another : contributor. Linda Adams, a co-founder of the Coming Home Society, : expressed sorrow for the : lodge’s closure. “It doesn’t : make sense to us,” Adams : told the Vancouver Sun. : “Among the donors, there is : an overwhelming sadness and : there’s anger too.” The lodge also served as a place of protection for those : at risk. According to Statistics : Canada, aboriginal people have : a 10 per cent chance of being : a victim of a violent crime at : some point in their life. The : same survey showed that : aboriginal women were more : likely to be victims of violence, ? with 54 per cent of women who : partook in the survey claiming to have experienced some level : of abuse. Fifteen per cent of the : abuse recorded was spousal. : Excessive use of drugs or : alcohol is considered one of the : main causes of violence. of the lodge, many young : aboriginal women went on to : achieve success and safety in Have an idea for a story? Let us know! Contact: Angela Espinoza, News Editor Mi news@theotherpress.ca www.theotherpress.ca te lat With the assistance Photo by @DofNWComm on Twitter : their lives, with many having : either attended college, found : employment, or been reunited : with their families. A blanketing ceremony was : held 10 days prior to the Young : Wolves Lodge closing, complete : with drumming, singing, and : prayers. Run or walk in BC’s first Daffodil Dash » Participants and volunteers work to raise money for cancer research Angela Espinoza News Editor Mi news @theotherpress.ca i. he Canadian Cancer Society (CCS) will be holding its first Daffodil Dash on April 26. by members of the CCS, as well as student volunteers from campuses across BC, including “It’s a one-kilometre walk or five-kilometre run to raise money for awareness and research for support groups for the [CCS],” said Langara student : mentor in your industry.” and dash volunteer Bethany Chan. Chan stated that in addition to the dash walk and run, there will be other family- oriented activities throughout the event, as well as a “mini : dash’ for children to take part : in during the day. : for volunteers to participate in The dash is being organized : the event, Chan stated the dash : : came to her attention througha : : work experience program. of studies, they [the Vancouver 4 : where different students in : Leaders of Tomorrow are tasked : : with aiding different groups : : and organizations in BC. The “It’s good for all ages,” said some way.’ While there is an open call “Tm part of a program “If you're in your fourth year : Board of Trade] pair you with a One of the options was a community outreach program,” : : Daffodil Dash, while already : in place and set for this April, : : sought additional help in : Chan, “and I really like the idea : : of this event because ... cancer : has [affected] everybody in organizing the event through : Chan’s program. Douglas College student : and student ambassador Jasper : McCoy has also taken part in : helping with volunteering for the dash. “My Involvement with the : Daffodil Dash consists of me : : spreading the word to people SFU, UBC, and Douglas College. : called the Leaders of Tomorrow, : : and it’s a program through the : Vancouver Board of Trade. around [Douglas],” McCoy : said via email. McCoy added : that members of the student ambassadors were also working : : on organizing a team to : : participate in the dash. “It’s going to be around Creekside Park, [and] we're still through the convio.cancer.ca : website under “Daffodil Dash,” : and those wishing to participate : ‘ aed : in either the walk or run can : volunteering, donating is one of : : the best ways to help out with looking for volunteers,” said : Chan. Chan added that in addition to the Canadian Cancer Society. : also register through the : website. Registration fees differ Volunteers can register Photo via ppppic.com : between ages and whether : participants are solo or are part : of a team, with fees ranging : from $15 to $32. Snacks and drinks will also : be provided at the event, as well : asa prize giveaway including a : $100-Visa gift card.