The President & CEO of the Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness (CAEH) says the late Katherine McParland had an impact that was felt right across Canada.
Tim Richter says he met McParland on a federal homelessness committee a few years ago, noting she was forceful and powerful when it came to advocating for young people.
“It was just so impressive to get to know her and see the lasting impact that she’s had on federal policy and provincial policy in B.C. and importantly, kids in Kamloops that really needed her,” he told NL News.
Richter says McParland – who died on Friday at the age of 33 – brought a very unique perspective to the table having been homeless herself as young person after she aged out of the foster care system, before going on to get a Masters Degree in Social Work.
“Her loss will be felt across Canada and certainly it leaves a big hole in the advocacy world,” he added. “She was such an important voice for young people and young people who have experienced homelessness and not one that will be quickly replaced.”
“The imprint that she has left on the world will be here forever and will I think be a lasting legacy to her.”
Louise Richards, the board chair with A Way Home Kamloops says it’s too soon to say how the organization’s founded will be memorialized.
“We’re just in the early stages of addressing this loss, so we haven’t made it to that sort of discussion,” she said, when asked if there might be a bursary in McParland’s name set up for a young person.
Kamloops RCMP say her death is not believed to be suspicious, but police and the BC Coroners Service are conducting separate fact finding investigations in relation her unexpected death.
It takes a really special person to overcome the challenges she did and then dedicate her life to helping others; a road that must often have been hard and re-traumatizing. Yet she persisted and became a powerful & highly effective advocate /2
— Tim Richter (@timrichter) December 7, 2020
She was a brilliant young woman. Her passing is a terrible & tragic loss but her work lives on in those she touched. RIP Katherine. May your memory inspire the change you fought so hard to achieve. Rest my friend. We’ve got it from here.
— Tim Richter (@timrichter) December 7, 2020
