I would like to begin by expressing my sincere gratitude to the City of Richmond for its continued support of charitable and community outreach work. Over the years, the city’s partnership has enabled many organizations, volunteers, and community groups to serve those facing poverty, housing insecurity, and social isolation. This support is more than financial—it reflects a shared commitment to the well-being of the whole community. It reminds us that caring for one another is not only a private act of kindness but also a public value.

It is in this spirit of shared responsibility that recent discussions at City Council have invited further reflection.

Councillor Loo spoke candidly from her own life experience, recalling times when she had gone to bed hungry and simply continued on the next day. She also raised important questions about the growth of programs and the need for careful stewardship of public resources, drawing a comparison to youth sports programs that sometimes expand beyond their original plans.

Her perspective reflects both personal resilience and longstanding service. Her dedication to supporting children and youth through sport has helped many young people discover confidence, a sense of belonging, and purpose. This contribution has strengthened families and enriched our community, and it speaks to a genuine compassion for others.

At the same time, the realities faced by those living outdoors can be difficult to fully understand without direct encounter.

There is a profound difference between experiencing hardship within the stability of housing and living with ongoing uncertainty about shelter, safety, and human connection. For many people living outdoors, hunger is not an isolated experience. It exists alongside loneliness, health challenges, trauma, and the daily uncertainty of where one belongs.

Because of this, understanding often begins not with policy, but with presence.

When we take time to sit with someone, to listen to their story, or to share a simple conversation, something shifts. The issue becomes personal. We begin to see the individual behind the circumstance. We recognize dignity where we may have previously seen only need. These encounters remind us that every person carries not only struggle, but also history, resilience, and hope.

This deeper understanding does not diminish the importance of responsible governance. Stewardship of public resources remains essential. City leaders are responsible for balancing many priorities, and thoughtful discernment is necessary.

Yet alongside stewardship is relationship. Outreach programs do more than provide immediate assistance—they help sustain human connection. They create moments of recognition for those who often feel invisible. They build trust, and trust is often the first step toward stability, healing, and renewed participation in community life.

In this way, outreach is not separate from the city’s health. It is part of the social fabric that binds a community together.

Richmond has long been a city marked by compassion and generosity. We see it in volunteers who give their time, in organizations that serve quietly and faithfully, and in leaders who seek to make thoughtful decisions for the common good. These shared efforts reflect a collective desire to build a community where everyone is seen and valued.

As someone personally involved in outreach and community ministry, I would sincerely welcome the opportunity to invite our councillors to visit and spend time together with people living outdoors. Not in any official capacity, but simply as fellow members of the same community. To listen to their stories. To hear their needs and their hopes. To share a moment of human connection.

Such encounters can deepen understanding in ways that discussion alone cannot. They remind us that public service is ultimately about people, and that wisdom often grows through listening.

This moment is not about disagreement, but about opportunity. An opportunity to listen more closely. An opportunity to learn from one another. An opportunity to continue building a Richmond grounded not only in good policy, but in compassion and mutual care.

In the end, the strength of a community lies not only in how it manages its resources, but also in how it sees its people.

And by choosing to see one another clearly, we continue to shape a city where dignity, compassion, and hope can flourish.