West Shore Cpl. Bryson Hill and View Royal bylaw officer/volunteer firefighter Enzo Calla pull clothing and shoes out of the back of a minivan.

More than 60 items, including pressed shirts, suit jackets neatly arranged on hangers and more than 20 pairs of boxed shoes, are being delivered to the Choices Transitional Home in View Royal. This isnB次元官网网址檛 just a clothing drive, Hill said, the clothing represents opportunity.

B次元官网网址淧eople here are struggling through a transitional point in their life, or just trying to get back on their feet. They want a job, they want an opportunity to do well in life, get a house, get all the things I think we all strive to do,B次元官网网址� Hill said. B次元官网网址淚 think we recognize as they try to take this transitional step, a lot of them donB次元官网网址檛 have the attire that most of us would go to a job interview with.B次元官网网址�

The clothing, donated by members of the West Shore RCMP and the View Royal Fire Department, was facilitated in part by hearing from the various homeless shelters around town on what the homeless need to transition off the street.

Choices, the former youth corrections centre now operated by Our Place, is in part an alternative to Tent City downtown and houses approximately 50 residents. Twenty-six live in individual rooms, while the rest are in tents in the courtyard.

Details are also being worked out on offers of free haircuts for those actively looking for a job.

Our Place spokesperson Grant McKenzie said this program helps reduce barriers, giving residents the ability to succeed when they donB次元官网网址檛 have a permanent address, a resume or job references.

B次元官网网址淲hen your whole life is based around survival, you donB次元官网网址檛 have those skill sets, (or) that personal belief in yourself to go for that job interview,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淧art of self-confidence comes from dressing for the part. ItB次元官网网址檚 having a good suit on and a resume you are proud of B次元官网网址� and then you can go in and present the best foot forward.B次元官网网址�

alim@goldstreamgazette.com