Students helping seniors > DSU Love Caravan Club reaches out to elderly community Aaron Guillen Staff Reporter Awirs to a 2012 report, Canadians agreed that seniors 75 and older are seen as less important and are more often ignored than younger generations in society. Jesus Lopez, current President of DSU Love Caravan Club, strives to change that perspective, especially among college students. Asa part of Love Builder, a non-profit organization across BC, the student-run DSU Love Caravan introduces young and vibrant students to the joys of connecting with the local senior community. “As our program aims to bring love to the seniors in the community, we devote [our time and efforts] to promoting the virtues of being caring, responsible, and respectful among the young generation,” said Lopez. “Thus, we are not only being supportive to our current community, we plan and take action to create a positive cycle for its future as well.” Many of the students who are members of the DSU Love Caravan are international. Lopez talked about “kodokushi,” a societal phenomenon that has been taking place in Japan. Translated literally, it means “lonely death.” In growing numbers, seniors without social connection are found weeks or sometimes months after their deaths. Initiatives like the DSU Love Caravan take strides in preventing kodokushi from making its way into Canada in the future. While the burden of balancing student life and volunteer time has been a challenge for many of its members, the DSU Love Caravan moves along every day. “Tam part of Love Caravan because I feel happy when I see seniors’ faces. It brings me warmth. I also can meet different people from other countries and it gives me the opportunity to have a broader way of thinking. It also helps me practice my English skills,” said Kana Chan, a member of the group. Last year, the Love Caravan successfully organized the first Cross- Canada Volunteer Tour for seniors. They hope to run the tour once again during the upcoming summer months. Lopez, alongside various organizers across the province, hopes to develop the program into a nation-wide initiative that will be embraced by most Canadian youth in the upcoming years. The DSU Love Caravan has served over 1,200 seniors in the Metro Vancouver region. In addition, more than go per cent of seniors said that they appreciated the boost of mental happiness they were brought through the Love Caravan. “Tam part of Love Caravan because | feel this is not only a good thing to do, but also a right thing to do,” said Love Caravan member Alan Cho. “Just try our volunteer work for just one time. At the end of every event, seniors will come and say, ‘Thank you’ or ‘We need more people like you in our society,” Cho said. “After [hearing their gratitude], my friends and I are no longer the same people who thought they should have been playing League of Legends during that time, or regretted not going to English Bay with our best friends. I can guarantee you that you won’ regret that decision for the rest of your life.” Last week, DSU Love Caravan held their first event as an official DSU club at a retirement home on March 26. For more info on future events, head to their Facebook page, Love Caravan or email jlopezfi44@gmail.com. The club meets every other week and holds events once a month. Image via accessyouth.org No youth left behind > ACCESS Youth Outreach meets youth where they are Images via DSU on Facebook C6 I'm glad this thing exists... think it makes people feel safer and happier.” — Devon, 16 Aaron Guillen Staff Reporter Fan’, conflict, substance abuse, and exploitation can lead young individuals to become dissociated from community. This may even lead to gang involvement and mental health issues. ACCESS Youth Outreach Services aims to reach out to youth and guide them along a path to success before it’s too late. This Port Coquitlam-based non-profit organization has touched the lives of thousands of youth between 12-23 years old since its doors first opened in 1992. The organization, previously named PoCoMo, has grown and developed in its efforts to meet youth on their level by adapting to their needs. One of the most successful programs has been Project Reach Out, in which a drop-by bus is open to any young minds looking for guidance or assistance in their lives, without judgement. “We have young people coming to us with a range of challenges,” Jerome Bouvier, ACCESS’ executive director, said to Tri-City News. “Maybe it is social anxiety—some are just trying to feel comfortable leaving the house—to even more core issues, transgender issues, identity issues, substance abuse issues.” Currently, every Friday and Saturday night from 7 p.m.-12 a.m., three spray- painted buses make their rounds in the Tri-City area (Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, and Port Moody) to various parks, recreation centres, and school grounds. With volunteers prepared with snacks and smiles, the unique outreach program has resonated with the local community. “[The bus] has kept me safe at night and it gives me good info about why I shouldn't do drugs and the people on the bus don’t make me scared to open up,” shared Jerrod, a 14-year-old, on the ACCESS Youth testimonials page. “T love the youth bus,” said Devon, a 16-year-old, in the testimonials. “I’m glad this thing exists. It should be in every country, and I think it makes people feel safer and happier. It feels good to get on the bus and not get totally judged.” While Project Reach Out has been a hit, demand is predicted to increase, especially with more families moving into the Tri-City area and there being limited resources available. ACCESS relies strictly on the generosity of British Columbians. Whether it be through volunteering time at the organization or donating weekly or monthly, ACCESS hopes that support will remain strong in order to reach even more youth in the coming years.