The “Reaching the Risky” project, led by Ktunaxa Nation Council in Cranbrook, this program was an urban service collaborative that provided linkages to culturally-competent, wraparound support for marginalized, homeless populations. Outreach staff, or ‘Street Angels’, come from similar backgrounds of the clients they serve; they reach out to vulnerable clients and help them receive supports necessary to get back on their feet.
Impacting 150 individuals, this project improved client access to prevention/treatment services and housing, which prevents further exacerbation of mental illness, substance abuse and unstable housing/homelessness. Furthermore, there was a noted decrease in police crisis calls as a result of the supports enabled through the project.