People with brain injury are 2.5x more likely to be incarcerated. When individuals transition from prison back to the community, they are released with the clothing and items they entered with.

Marcus has a history of multiple traumatic brain injuries, starting in an abusive home in childhood and most recently a brain injury from a physical altercation. He never received support for his brain injury. Marcus is impulsive, sensitive to light and noise, has trouble remembering meeting times, and gets stuck when he tries to plan ahead. Since he became an adult, Marcus has been in and out of prison.

Marcus received a 6-month sentence. When he entered prison, he was wearing shorts and a t-shirt. When he was released in the winter, he was wearing shorts and a t-shirt carrying his items in a trash bag. Marcus wants to make a positive change in his life, but he needs his basic needs met to do so.

We need fresh starts, not frosty starts, if we are serious about reducing crime rates in our community and supporting people who are reintegrating.

BrainTrust is collecting new and gently used winter clothing, work clothing, and backpacks, as well as personal hygiene items to distribute to men being released to Kelowna and surrounding area from the Oliver Correctional Centre.

Items needed:

• Men’s clothing items size L-4XL
  • Winter coats, track pants, sweatshirts, t-shirts
• Winter boots & running shoes
• Socks and underwear
• Gloves & hats
• Backpacks
• Toothbrush & toothpaste
• Deodorant
• Comb or hairbrush

You can help us bring support exactly where it’s needed. Donations can be dropped off at the BrainTrust office throughout the month of November. In December, BrainTrust will be bringing the donated items to the Oliver Correctional Centre. Staff there will distribute the items to people who are reintegrating into the community.

Items can be dropped off at the BrainTrust office in downtown Kelowna:

• Monday: 10-3
• Tuesday: 9-3
• Wednesday: 9-3
• Thursday: 9-3
• Friday: 9-3

Please ring the doorbell when you arrive and a staff member will assist you.

If you have any questions, please contact Mitchell Kolybaba at [email protected]