Poverty Advocacy Nanaimo

Guest post from Marnie Boers.

I am a registered emergency nurse with over 17 years of experience. I have spent years working on the frontlines of the toxic drug crisis here in Nanaimo. I have also volunteered and worked with Risebridge, a reasonably new non-profit that supports our city’s most vulnerable and marginalized community members. This past winter season, Risebridge offered an overnight shelter and continues to provide a volunteer-run drop-in space on Tuesday mornings. More importantly, we offer compassion, care, and community.

Last year, I earned under $9,000 from this work, as most of my time with Risebridge is unpaid. I continue because I believe in showing up for my neighbours, people who are struggling, and the possibility of a more caring city.

Now that the shelter has closed, as B.C. Housing cannot extend our contract; twenty-four people have lost access to overnight shelter. Following this news, a concerned citizen emailed MLA Sheila Malcolmson, and carbon copied the Mayor and city council, calling for leadership and urgent action.

The Mayor’s reply sent via email on April 28th @ 3:06 pm:

[Good Afternoon,

Well I am equally shocked to have received an FB post showing four “Risebridge leaders” at a conference in Columbia? Perhaps you can explain to me how that is possible if they can’t afford to keep their doors open?

Cheers,
Mayor Krog]

The Mayor’s response was then forwarded to us by this concerned citizen. Let me explain. Our team was recently in Bogotá, Colombia, for the International Harm Reduction conference, which coincided with the closure of our shelter. When we booked the trip, there was a real possibility that our contract with B.C. Housing would be extended. Our team went down to learn, connect, and be inspired by new research from worldwide experts and their commitment to care. One of our directors even had the honour of delivering critical information on how overdose prevention sites within hospitals are both possible and successful. She represented her primary work position because she volunteers and works with Risebridge. We are very proud of her. The four of us who attended the conference did so entirely out of our pockets. Risebridge did not fund us. We paid our way—because we are committed to bringing back solutions that help save lives in Nanaimo.

I earned under $9,000 from my work with Risebridge, most of which was unpaid. My primary job is as an emergency room nurse in your city, Nanaimo, and my income is public record. What is shameful is how you, as an elected official, chose to speak about me to a concerned citizen as a voter in your constituency as a person working hard to support the most vulnerable members of this city.

How would you feel if we publicly questioned the value of your expenses as a publicly funded official? I pay taxes in this city. Like many others, my family’s taxes are rising yearly, making living here harder. And yet, I give back far more than I receive.

We’re not just working with people struggling with substance use and mental health issues. At Risebridge, we support single mothers, low-income families, people living in poverty, and anyone pushed to the margins by systemic barriers. We offer a drop-in space, harm reduction supplies, birthday gifts, crisis support, and more. We meet people where they’re at and walk with them as they navigate housing, healthcare, trauma, and survival.

You called for safer streets and fewer unhoused people—we answered that call. We’ve been doing exactly what this city has repeatedly requested: helping people access housing and healthcare and creating bridges to support them. This is what community safety actually looks like.

I also donate my time annually to organize a domestic violence workshop that brings together frontline workers across our city agencies to support victims and survivors better, organize a birthday program that helps low-income families and single mothers provide joy to their children for their birthdays and recently gave out over fifty Easter baskets to kids whose families may not have been able to provide otherwise. I donate my time without pay, praise, and hesitation—because building safe communities requires collaboration and heart.

Your reply revealed a profound lack of respect for the people doing this work, Mr. Mayor. Instead of stepping up for the 24 people facing the loss of their shelter, you took a shot at the people trying to help them. Instead of reaching out to understand the facts, you made assumptions and made them public. You said the quiet thing that many of us already knew out loud.

The message was clear: you don’t support me or the countless others doing frontline, lifesaving work in this city. And that’s a shame because we show up daily, not for the optics but for the outcomes. You had an opportunity to lead, listen, and work with the vulnerable and the people working to protect them. Instead, you chose blame. And we won’t forget that. We will continue to show up, with or without your support because someone has to.

About the author:
Marnie Boers is a registered emergency nurse, community health advocate, and master’s student in counselling, living and working in Nanaimo, BC. Born and raised in Nanaimo, she is also a mother and deeply involved in grassroots community efforts. Marnie is a member of B.C. Nurses United for Social Justice and the Harm Reduction Nurses Association. She volunteers and works with Risebridge, organizes an annual frontline workshop for domestic violence, and runs a birthday program that helps support children in our community.