CAF members and the Edmonton community raise money to fight veteran homelessness

All told, the event—a five‑kilometre walk through the neighbourhood—raised more than $59,000 for Veterans’ House Canada’s newest housing project in Athlone, the second of its kind in Canada. One‑third of the money raised—more than $19,000—came from the CAF members who took part in the event.

The CAF community’s involvement came about when Veterans’ House Canada’s Trevor Friesen, who retired from the CAF in 2024, approached Brigadier‑General (BGen) Wade Rutland, Commander, 3rd Canadian Division / Joint Task Force West, about participating in the event.

“We jumped at the chance,” said BGen Rutland.

All CAF members who took part in the event did so voluntarily; no one was ordered to attend.

“I had hoped we’d get a few of the soldiers out, but we’ve got a massive turnout here from the entire Division,” BGen Rutland said before the event kicked off.

He added he felt the soldiers, sailors and aviators who attended did so because they recognize that tomorrow’s veterans are today’s serving members.

“It just shows that the veterans are all of us, in just a few years,” he said. “We all recognize that we’re all on the same team and we should support each other.”

BGen Rutland also said participating in the walk fits into the social contract signed when someone joins the military. A CAF member will take care of Canadians and put themselves in harm’s way if necessary. In return, it’s Canada and Canadians who will take care of the veteran when they retire.

Colonel (Col) Robert Tesselaar, Commander, 3rd Canadian Division Support Group, echoed those sentiments and highlighted Edmonton’s strong historical support for the military.

“We’re really fortunate here in the Edmonton area to have strong community support for our military community, serving members, families and veterans,” he said.

However, he acknowledged no system is perfect.

“Unfortunately, sometimes people fall through the cracks,” Col Tesselaar said. “We do have veterans that are not able to access, or are not accessing, all of the programs and supports that are available to them and may find themselves without shelter.”

In those situations where veterans have found themselves in need of a place to stay, organizations like Veterans’ House Canada play a key role, said BGen Rutland.

“The fact there’s this community that is a living space and also provides a way to get a leg back up, I think it’s really great,” he noted.

The community and living space currently under construction in Edmonton’s Athlone neighbourhood is a 40‑unit apartment block and is slated to open later this year, explained Alan Mulawyshyn, a retired CAF member and Veterans’ House Canada’s executive director.

The 40 studio units are surrounded by, and incorporate, several communal spaces where residents can gather and interact.

“It’s not just their room – it’s first of all a community of veterans,” Mulawyshyn said.

In addition, the facility will have support staff available to help the veterans work through any problems they may be having and get at the root cause of why they find themselves homeless.

Unlike some similar projects, Mulawyshyn said Veterans’ House Canada is focused on giving veterans in need a permanent place to stay.

“We’re a national charity that provides three big things: permanent, affordable and supportive housing for homeless veterans,” he said. “When veterans come to us, they’re not on a clock. It’s not transitional housing where you leave after a certain amount of time. You can stay with us as long as you need.”