Tent City Laundry Fund
Since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, Camp Kennedy-Trudeau, the encampment located at Strathcona Park in Vancouver, has been violently relocated three times. First, the majority Indigenous community was evicted from a longstanding encampment at Oppenheimer Park, and then from CRAB Park Tent City (Namegan’s Nation 2.0), both with unnecessary force and through invasion of the VPD. Residents at Camp KT are significantly more vulnerable to illness than housed people in the city, and living outdoors in an open-air environment (as opposed to in shelters) reduces the risk of a devastating outbreak of Covid-19 in this community.
As a supporter and volunteer at the camp, I feel the immense privilege of being welcomed by community members and Indigenous camp leaders, Elder Veronica Butler and Indigenous activist Chrissy Brett. The calm and supported community is Matriarchal and Indigenous governed, peer involved and community supported by upwards of 175 volunteers. Camp KT provides not only basic needs such as food, water, PPE, shelter, a 24/7 on call nursed medical tent, and laundry services, but also community support, solidarity and cultural engagement.
Over the past 2 months, I’ve been a part of a small team working to provide weekly laundry service to residents of Camp KT. As the community rebuilds itself in yet another location, many have been unable to access laundry facilities regularly. The impact of this service is felt and tangible, as we circle the camp in the morning for laundry pick-up with our small wire cart, meeting familiar faces who will have their clean, folded laundry delivered back to them by the end of the day. I know how much I appreciate, how great it feels to have clean, fresh clothing and bedding. Not only do residents at the camp deserve, at the very least, this basic comfort, but access to clean laundry is essential for upholding personal hygiene for health during a global pandemic.
Now with over 320 tents in the park, our once-a-weekly service has evolved into a twice-weekly endeavor. There is a continued need for funds to keep this service sustainable, especially moving into the fall when weather will turn, and as the camp continues to grow. Funds from our gofundme go directly toward laundromat fees, purchasing bags, and transport costs associated with laundry runs. We have been overwhelmed with gratitude for the support received thus far; it has supported hundreds of loads of laundry. It is important for us to continue providing this service to residents of Camp KT, and we (and many more) would be grateful for any contributions to keep this possible. Below is our gofundme page:
KT Tent City Laundry Fund
https://www.gofundme.com/f/kt-tent-city-laundry-fund
The sustainability of other essential services at the camp are also dependant on financial support. Here are two other gofundme campaigns:
Covid-19 Emergency Funds for the DTES:
“Funds received from this point forward will go towards support for:
Erica and DTES care teams as they continue to provide meals, snacks, hydration and PPE for DTES unhoused community. Check out their facebook page! https://www.facebook.com/TeamDTES/ -Firekeepers, infrastructure and other core needs at the new tent city led by Chrissy Brett, Camp Kennedy Trudeau-Firewood for the sacred fire sustained 24-7 by Veronica Butler and other firekeepers. Donated firewood also welcome!”
KT Tent City Health and Wellness:
“Elder Veronica Butler, Indigenous activist Chrissy Brett, and the residents of the community have requested safer healthcare access. We are a group of healthcare workers offering support under their direction in order to improve access to health, wellness, autonomy, and safety for residents. We need your help to deliver care in a way that responds immediately to the needs of residents, according to residents themselves. We need emergency medical supplies, training supplies, over the counter medications, and wound care supplies. We are there to bridge care from the current healthcare workers available to majority Indigenous healthcare supports.”
