Judy Graves, a devoted champion of the homeless population in Vancouver, will share the insights she gained in her 30-year career during a luncheon Friday at the local offices of the Canadian Mental Health Association.

Graves retired in May 2013 as Vancouver’s municipal advocate for the homeless. She is known for her commitment to hearing and telling the stories of those living on the street.

“By listening, what you hear is the loneliness of homelessness,” she says. “When people become homeless they become like an excluded caste in our society. They’re isolated. There is no natural social interaction.”

Her presentation for the community organization luncheon is entitled “Real People, Real Stories: Homelessness and Social Change.” The event, part of the Distinguished Visitors in Women’s Studies series, runs noon to 2 p.m. October 25, at 1400 Windsor Avenue.

To attend, RSVP to 519-253-3000, ext. 3727 or wsvisitor@uwindsor.ca.