Help Bring Hope to Sierra After More Loss

Dear Friends and Community,

Thank you for taking the time to read this. My name is Gillian Olynyk. I am reaching out to share this GoFundMe campaign I have initiated to support someone very dear to me, Sierra Warren, affectionately known to my family as "Mama Bear."

I first met Sierra in the Spring of 2016 when my family was evacuated to Calgary due to the devastating forest fires. During one of the most challenging times in our lives, Sierra extended her kindness and support to my little family and without hesitation. She established a support group for evacuees on the day the first bus arrived. This initiative quickly grew to over 2,000 members where for months, she and her team provided essential supplies, information, hope and friendship to countless individuals.

Since then, I have witnessed Sierra's unwavering selflessness and generosity. Despite facing her own challenges, she continuously offers help to others. However, in the past year, Sierra has encountered significant hardships, particularly a brutal attack in December 2023, which resulted in her losing her home after being rescued by the police. Tragically, she now finds herself once again without a home, through no fault of her own.

Over the past few days, Sierra fell victim to a rental scam. After saving the funds, securing a lease and making necessary arrangements to move into a new home, she discovered that the locks had been changed upon her arrival. Blindsided and suddenly without a place to move this week, Sierra has involved the Calgary Police and the Alberta Tenant Resolution Service. Unfortunately, there is no simple resolution to this situation and out of necessity, her priority has shifted to dealing with the impending possibility of homelessness. With her current rental situation ending imminently (this coming weekend), Sierra and her pets are facing an uncertain future.

Sierra has reached out to numerous social agencies and programs for assistance, but unfortunately, no financial support or temporary housing for her pets is available. This has become an emergency and the timing, critical. During our conversations, she’s expressed her fear and anxiety; she's attempted a strong front, but her last message was only 2 words: “I’m terrified.”

Given the urgency of her situation, I have set the goal for this GoFundMe campaign at $5,000. The current rental market necessitates at least $3,000 for a damage deposit and first month's rent. There are also many additional costs for moving, possible hired help and temporary accommodations; Sierra will need to secure a cost-effective place to stay, such as an AirBnB, until she saves the funds to take possession of a new home. Any remaining funds will be allocated for food, pet supplies, fuel, and other essential needs.

I wholeheartedly encourage you to contribute to this campaign, regardless of the amount, as every dollar counts. Sierra is a remarkable person who has touched many lives, and it is during times like these that we can come together to support one another. As we approach the holiday season, I hope we can provide Sierra with the assistance she needs to get herself a safe home and to finally get the fresh start that she deserves. Please help restore the sense of security and stability she worked so hard for, only to be so unjustly taken away.

If you have any questions or would like to discuss this cause further, please feel free to reach out to me via the 'Contact' option.

All donations will go directly to Sierra. Should we reach our goal, we will conclude the campaign at $5,000 in accordance with her wishes.

Thank you for your kindness and support.

Warm regards,

Gill Olynyk