Youth homelessness advocate Katherine McParland (1987-2020) of British Columbia Canada has been inducted into the Child Advocacy Hall of Fame as our 2020 Inductee. Katherine McParland was founder and executive director of "A Way Home Kamloops" an organization that focuses on eliminating child homelessness.
This alone is a remarkable accomplishment for a young adult who herself faced homelessness as a child.
Katherine McParland earned a masters degree and served on the British Columbia Housing Board of Directors. Katherines advocacy for youth was described as "forceful and powerful" by fellow federal homeless committee members. Her lasting impact with changes in both provincial and national policy on homelessness in Canada will be felt for decades to come.
2020 Child Advocacy Hall of Fame Inductee Katherine McParland was a member of the Canadian Advisory Committee on Homelessness in addition to wearing the hat of co-chair of the B.C. Canadian Provinces' Coalition to End Youth Homelessness. Katherine served children suffering from homelessness across Canada and knew from personal experience what it was like to be a homeless youth enabling her to deeply resonate and boldly connect with both the government and homeless youth in Canada.
Fellow child advocates in Canada who worked alongside Katherine in addition to loved ones speak highly of her effective and outspoken achievements in advocacy for homeless youth despite her own painful personal pitfalls and struggles relating to her homelessness as a child in the foster care system. Upon aging out of the Canadian foster care system at 19, Katherine's homelessness continued on for awhile longer. Despite these huge life hurtles to success, Katherine made it with going to school and earning a masters degree in social work leadership.
From this academic accomplishment, Katherine's influence and leadership blossomed across beautiful British Columbia Canada and all provinces nationally. Katherine's child advocacy was focused largely on helping youth stay off the streets and make the transition to healthy and safe lives with housing. Awarded the YMCA Peace Metal in 2018 for work ending youth homelessness in Kamloops, Katherine is a role model to children, adults and all child advocates. Today, thousands of children and young adults have a permanent place to call home thanks to the leadership work of 2020 Child Advocacy Hall of Fame Inductee, Katherine Elizabeth McParland.
Katherine, Thank you for your outstanding service and contribution to the lives of homeless children.