Getting on a first name basis

“It’s like a treasure hunt, but for people,” said Johnny Ashenhurst, an Outreach Worker at CEDAR, as he and his co-worker Milad drive around Abbotsford looking for people who could potentially benefit from our services.

A shift for an Outreach Worker at CEDAR can look different everyday; they make up harm reduction kits in the warehouse, they drive people to shelters or other outreach services in Abbotsford, and before it gets too dark out, they’ll will drive around Abbotsford to the known encampments and areas people who are street entrenched often frequent, in order to offer them harm reduction supplies and just talk to them.

Johnny has a long history working in retail and customer service work before he transitioned over to social services. His “gift of the gab” has translated to valuable skills for his current position, as every night he is engaging people and building trust and rapport with clients. It’s easy to start a conversation with someone if you come bearing gifts like harm reduction supplies, scarves, and socks.

“It takes time to build trust with people who don’t trust other people,” said Johnny.

Johnny aspires to get on a first-name basis with most of CEDAR’s clients so that he can establish trust with them, and once that rapport is built, maybe the clients are comfortable enough to inquire about further services like getting into supportive housing or treatment or helping them to whichever next step is right for them.

“[The social situation] can’t change unless there are people here trying to enact a change,” said Johnny, “unless you have boots on the ground then you can’t even begin to make a difference.”