The Kamloops Self Advocate Newsletter, “Putting Kamloops on the Map”

12/22/2025

TO read our statement go here https://ksanews.ca/open-letter-to-the-city-of-kamloops/

12/20/2025

An Open Letter to the City of Kamloops, Police, and Governments of BC and Canada
I am writing this letter with a heavy heart, confusion, and deep concern — not just for one person like Glenn, but for every person experiencing homelessness in our community. What is happening right now should make all of us pause and reflect on who we are, what we value, and how we treat people who are struggling the most.
Glenn and The Loop are not about chaos or trouble. They are about visibility. They are about reminding the public and decision-makers that homelessness is not a nuisance to be removed, but a human reality that demands compassion, leadership, and action. Arresting or silencing advocacy does not make homelessness disappear — it only deepens mistrust, trauma, and harm.
When people do not have a day centre, a safe place to go during the day, access to washrooms, food, warmth, storage, support workers, or mental health care, they are left with impossible choices. This is something governments and police must understand clearly. When people are pushed out of every space, criminalized for existing, and denied basic services, survival becomes the priority — not compliance.
Without safe daytime spaces, some people experiencing homelessness may turn to survival behaviours that can lead to conflict with the law. This is not because they are bad people. It is because desperation grows when support disappears. When someone has nowhere to go, no bathroom, no food, no place to rest, and no one listening, small problems quickly become crises. Criminalizing homelessness does not prevent crime — it increases the risk of it by removing stability and dignity.
Police officers are often placed in an impossible position. They are asked to respond to social and health crises with enforcement tools. But police are not mental health workers. They are not housing providers. They are not addiction specialists. When officers are used as the main response to homelessness, everyone loses — the officers, the community, and most of all, the people living on the streets.
This is why the City of Kamloops, the Province of British Columbia, and the Government of Canada should care deeply. Homelessness is not just a municipal issue or a policing issue. It is a human rights issue, a health issue, and a community safety issue. When people are supported, crime goes down. When people are housed, communities become safer. When people feel respected, trust grows.
Arresting people for advocacy, protest, or visibility sends a dangerous message: that speaking up for the most vulnerable is unwelcome. Advocacy is not a crime. Caring is not a crime. Asking governments to do better is not a crime. In a democracy, advocacy should be protected — especially when it speaks for those who are often unheard.
So what can be done now, without arrests and without harm?
First, Kamloops needs a low-barrier day centre that is open consistently. A place where people can go during the day to rest, use washrooms, access food, connect with outreach workers, and receive mental health and addiction support. Day centres reduce street conflict, reduce police calls, and restore dignity.
Second, governments must invest in housing-first approaches. People cannot heal, follow rules, or rebuild their lives when they are constantly in survival mode. Housing is prevention. Housing is safety. Housing is cheaper than policing and emergency responses in the long run.
Third, police services should be supported with alternative response teams — mental health professionals, peer support workers, and outreach teams who can respond alongside or instead of police when appropriate. This protects officers and helps people get the care they actually need.
Fourth, city leaders must listen to people with lived experience and advocates like Glenn instead of reacting with enforcement. Inclusion means bringing people to the table, not pushing them away. People who live this reality every day know what works — and what doesn’t.
Finally, all levels of government must remember this: homelessness can happen to anyone. A job loss, a disability, a mental health crisis, family breakdown, or rising rent can push people into homelessness faster than most realize. When systems fail, compassion should not fail with them.
Caring about homeless people is not weakness. It is leadership. It is responsibility. It is a reflection of our shared humanity. Communities are not judged by how they treat the powerful, but by how they treat those with the least power.
Glenn’s advocacy, and the voices of people experiencing homelessness, are not problems to be managed. They are warnings we should listen to. Warnings that something in our systems is broken — and that enforcement alone will never fix it.
Kamloops, BC, Canada, and those entrusted with authority have a choice: continue down a path of criminalization and conflict, or choose compassion, prevention, and partnership. One path deepens harm. The other builds hope.
People experiencing homelessness are not the problem. The lack of care, support, and vision is. And it is never too late to choose a better way forward. https://ksanews.ca/open-letter-to-the-city-of-kamloops/?fbclid=IwY2xjawOzxMBleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBicmlkETF0UU1VMnMxOHcxNUloZUNLc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHpXTFADXm5R9A2ZkkfaqP6lObCCOBOdX1ZPI--ehjQwe9HCPUQtQi7Dh-CO3_aem_PmfoUBExQET67VE7wXCOsg

An Open Letter to the City of Kamloops, Police, and Governments of BC and Canada I am writing this letter with a heavy heart, confusion, and deep concern — not just for one person like Glenn, but for every person experiencing homelessness in our community. What is happening right now should make a...

12/18/2025

https://ksanews.ca/friendship-builder/
The Friendship Builder page is designed to be easy to understand, inclusive, and practical. It can be used by:

People with diverse abilities

Recreation therapists

Support workers

Peer support facilitators

Educators and community program leaders

12/18/2025

Kamloops Society for Community Inclusion Bryce Schaufelberger Selfadvocatenet.com Our Voice,Our Strength you rock self advocate net. it looks nice.

12/17/2025

12/17/2025

KSANews.ca: A Trusted Community Resource Beyond Traditional News

KSANews.ca, the online platform of The Kamloops Self Advocate Newsletter, is much more than a typical news website. While general news media often focus on breaking headlines, politics, or large-scale events, KSANews.ca is rooted in community, inclusion, education, and lived experience. Its primary goal is to support people with disabilities and diverse abilities, families, caregivers, support workers, and professionals by providing practical, accessible, and compassionate resources that improve everyday life.

Rather than reporting about people, KSANews.ca centers the voices, needs, and safety of the community itself. This approach is what truly sets it apart.

An Overview of Resources Available on KSANews.ca

KSANews.ca brings together a wide range of resources in one accessible place. These resources are designed to educate, empower, and protect people—especially those who may be overlooked or underrepresented in mainstream media.

1. Disability Advocacy & Self-Advocacy

At its core, KSANews.ca promotes self-advocacy, encouraging people with disabilities to speak up, be informed, and participate fully in their communities. Articles highlight inclusion, accessibility, rights, lived experiences, and community leadership. This content is often written in plain language so it can be understood by a wide audience.

2. Mental Health Awareness & Crisis Resources

Mental health is a key focus of KSANews.ca. The site regularly shares:

Mental health awareness articles

Crisis and support hotline information

Su***de prevention resources

Personal stories and educational content

Unlike general media, which may report on mental health only during major events, KSANews.ca consistently promotes prevention, awareness, and support, with sensitivity and care for vulnerable readers.

3. Internet Safety Resources

One of the most important and unique sections of KSANews.ca is its Internet Safety Resources. These resources recognize that the internet can be both empowering and risky—especially for children, youth, seniors, and people with disabilities.

KSANews.ca’s internet safety coverage includes:

Internet safety music videos that teach safety concepts in an engaging and easy-to-understand way

Animated internet safety videos that explain online boundaries, privacy, and safe decision-making

Guidance on recognizing unsafe online behaviour, including grooming and manipulation

Password safety and digital security basics

Explanations of internet slang and online language, helping caregivers and support workers understand potential warning signs

Internet safety lesson plans, contracts, and activities for families, classrooms, and community programs

Resources specifically focused on online safety for people with disabilities, acknowledging unique vulnerabilities and learning needs

Rather than using fear-based messaging, KSANews.ca emphasizes education, empowerment, and prevention, helping people feel confident—not scared—when using technology.

4. Support Worker & Professional Resources

KSANews.ca also supports those who work alongside people with disabilities. Dedicated content helps:

Support workers

Home share providers

Educators

Community service professionals

These resources include internet safety tips, community inclusion ideas, and links to trusted external tools. This dual focus—supporting both individuals and professionals—is rare in mainstream news outlets.

5. Community Inclusion & Events

The site regularly highlights:

Inclusive community events

Arts, music, and tribute bands

Disability-friendly entertainment

Local and national initiatives promoting kindness, compassion, and belonging

This content helps reduce isolation and encourages real-world connection.

6. Tributes, Memorials & Honouring Lives

KSANews.ca respectfully honours individuals who have made an impact, including memorial pages and tribute articles. These are written with dignity and care, focusing on legacy, learning, and accountability—rather than sensationalism.

7. Aging, Disability & Life Transitions

The site includes resources on aging with a disability, planning ahead, and navigating life changes. These topics are often ignored by general media but are essential for long-term wellbeing.

How KSANews.ca Stands Out from General News Media
1. Community-First, Not Headline-Driven

General news media prioritize clicks, speed, and mass appeal. KSANews.ca prioritizes people, especially those whose voices are often unheard.

2. Inclusive and Accessible Language

Articles are written to be understandable, respectful, and inclusive. This makes KSANews.ca usable for people with cognitive disabilities, learning differences, and varying literacy levels.

3. Prevention and Education Over Sensationalism

Where mainstream media may focus on crisis after it happens, KSANews.ca focuses on prevention, including internet safety, mental health awareness, and early education.

4. Lived Experience and Trust

KSANews.ca is built by and for the community. It reflects real experiences, not just statistics or outside commentary. This builds trust that general news outlets often lack.

5. Safety-Focused Digital Literacy

Very few news websites actively teach how to stay safe online. KSANews.ca does—especially for those most at risk.

Conclusion

KSANews.ca is not just a news website—it is a resource hub, advocacy platform, and safety net for people with disabilities, families, caregivers, and professionals. By combining disability advocacy, mental health awareness, community inclusion, and strong internet safety education, KSANews.ca fills a critical gap left by traditional media.

In a digital world where information can be overwhelming and unsafe, KSANews.ca stands out as a trusted, compassionate, and inclusive source—focused not on headlines, but on people and their wellbeing.