Burnaby Couple Goes Above and Beyond to Help Elderly Woman Living at Bus Stop

A compassionate couple in Burnaby, British Columbia, has taken it upon themselves to find suitable housing for an 81-year-old woman who has been living at a bus stop for the past few weeks.

The heartwarming encounter took place earlier this month when Jennifer Aalders and her husband Timothy Selby were on their way to the dog park. Aalders noticed an elderly woman named Joy sitting on a bench surrounded by all her belongings. Concerned for her well-being, Aalders approached Joy to offer assistance.

Joy, who requested not to have her last name mentioned, revealed that she had recently been forced to move her belongings after someone called the police. Overwhelmed by the situation, Joy expressed her distress and the challenges she faced with packing up all her wet belongings and tarps. However, her distress soon turned to relief when Aalders and Selby offered their help.

“I couldn’t believe it when these two angels came along,” Joy said gratefully. Aalders and Selby packed up Joy’s belongings and transported them to a storage locker. During the journey, they got to know the elderly woman, affectionately referring to her as “nonna.”

Joy shared with CTV News that she had been staying at the bus stop on Renfrew Street for a few days after her van was towed. Sadly, the van was damaged during the towing process, leaving Joy without a shelter. Recognizing the vulnerability of the elderly, Aalders expressed her determination to find Joy a safe and warm place to call home.

Alarming Situation: 568 Seniors Identified as Homeless

Despite their best efforts, finding suitable housing for Joy has proven to be a challenging task for the couple. Joy has expressed her reluctance to utilize a shelter or a transition house, adding to the difficulty of the search. Selby revealed that his wife has dedicated hours each week calling various organizations in an attempt to find a suitable solution for the elderly woman.

In Burnaby, there is currently only one homeless shelter available, which often lacks appropriate cots for seniors. This scarcity of suitable facilities exacerbates the struggle to find housing for elderly individuals like Joy.

In response to their commitment to helping Joy, Aalders and Selby have set up a GoFundMe campaign, which has already raised nearly $3,000. The funds have been used to secure a short-term living arrangement for Joy, as well as allowing her to have a much-needed haircut.

Joy expressed her gratitude for the support she has received, stating, “For an 81-year-old, the hairdresser said that I have thick hair!”

The latest Metro Vancouver Homeless count revealed that a staggering 568 individuals above the age of 55 are currently homeless. Alexis Haig, the manager of senior services at the Burnaby Neighbourhood House, expressed her concern over the increasing number of seniors in desperate need of assistance.

“The housing situation is dire for some people,” Haig explained. “Their primary focus becomes how to pay for next month’s rent, and they come to us in a very desperate situation.”

Aalders and Selby remain dedicated to finding the safe and appropriate housing that Joy deserves. Aalders affectionately stated, “We’re basically adopting her as our nonna.”