Over the summer, Mackenzie Fernquist-Kosteniuk and Zakeea Al Hanafy, students in the Nursing – Bachelor of Science Program, travelled around Castlegar, Nelson and Trail, supported by instructor Jen Preston, distributing water, snacks, nutritional supplements and other supplies to people who are unhoused. They also provided wound care when needed.
“No two days were the same,” says Fernquist-Kosteniuk. “We’d usually start at a Selkirk College campus to grab supplies and begin our outreach.” Along the way, the pair engaged with people and routinely stopped at service providers to check on community members and frontline workers. Before completing their outreach shifts, they drove around to ensure no one was missed in their walking rotation.
This work, performed as outreach interns for the Bridging Rural Homelessness & Well-being project through Selkirk Innovates, extended the outreach initiative offered by the Nursing Program during the academic year, ensuring the continuity of essential support within the three communities. It will be offered again in the summer of 2025.
In addition to direct support, Fernquist-Kosteniuk and Al Hanafy promoted the Community Perceptions of Homelessness survey, which received over 800 responses. Their engagement extended through various channels, including farmers’ markets, local radio and walking many kilometres around the tri-cities to listen to the voices of community members.
Extending Support and Building Community Connections
One of the most impactful aspects of their work was building meaningful connections. Fernquist-Kosteniuk and Al Hanafy developed custom harm-reduction supply kits. During an extreme heatwave, when temperatures exceeded 45°C, they supported efforts at the Trail cooling centre. Al Hanafy also introduced a detailed tracking system for supplies at Selkirk College campuses, ensuring the outreach program could remain organized and responsive to ongoing needs.
Throughout the summer, the interns had meaningful yet challenging experiences. “Offering supports to those who needed them and providing them with safe services stood out to me,” recounts Al Hanafy. The team often heard people’s personal and vulnerable stories. “It can be hard to know what to say,” says Al Hanafy, “but it’s important to learn about the different life experiences people have and to recognize the importance of just listening.”
In addition to their studies, the pair are also supporting the Community Perceptions of Homelessness Survey data analysis and report writing. They anticipate the report will be published in early 2025.