Poverty Awareness in York Region

Story submission - A true story

I was grateful to attend a pre-release of Will Smith's movie about a homeless Dad's journey (based on true story) through struggles called, The Pursuit of Happiness, at Silver City in Newmarket, Ontario, Canada. Myself being a single Dad, thought this a perfect fit for a night out. Tickets were allotted to various homeless advocates for distribution, and as luck would have it, I happened upon 16 on the day of. I assured Jane (Wedlock) of the York Region Alliance to End Homelessness that I would do my best to find appreciative recipients, and being schooled in film I also promised a review.

The first call made, was to someone whose life has been dealt more than it's share of cruelty, a cancer survivor who is additionally a single mom and a crime victim. I also knew her reality (Ontario Disability Support Plan budget) was that she'd have to bring all her kids in order to be able to go - just fine this night! I'd wager she'd not been out with three of her boys at once to a movie in some time.

The second call was to a similarly budgeted blind "Buddy" of mine (ours), who to my ignorant surprise loves movies - despite not being able to see. Another invitee was an immigrant couple that was, ironically enough, being evicted at the time. I told " Pedro" we'd help him fight it as best we could... he said his wife was ashamed...stigma.. but still they came along.

My son Tim went too, as did a second single mom (of 4), a victim of domestic violence who's experienced the shelter system, and her friend who also happened to be a volunteer at the Inn From The Cold Shelter where she told me they needed people to volunteer desperately. "Steve" wanted to come, but didn't, what with local transit service being infrequent and difficult for him. He's in a (motorized) wheelchair. Too far (from home) he said. Steve doesn't like being helped into/out cars either, it's called pride.. Parents-in-law- to- be came instead, but at any rate, what a motley crew we made!

I seated my visually impaired pal, and floated in and out to unload the last pairs of tickets & scoop some popcorn, barely having time to acknowledge event Hosts, former Mayor (Newmarket) Tom Taylor and Inn From The Cold V.P. (and now Councillor) Victor Woodhouse before scampering back to my seat.

Afterwards, as we nonchalantly made our way to the cars discussing the flick, one of our crew, we'll call her "Lucy", dropped her car (house, locker, etc) keys into the sewer grate. This is where a fun evening turned bizarre.

I knew the grates could, so I pulled it open but it was dark with no stairs, and the murky water was too far to reach.

" What about my umbrella" said Lucy? Too short.

" What about my Cane" said my blind buddy? It reached, barely.

Now it was raining, with no light.

"Theatres always have Flashlights", said I!.. A flash of brilliance having suddenly surged through my feeble brain... We swooped inside.

Upon returning, I found Councillor Woodhouse had caught wind and had also offered help. As I lay there, flashlight in one hand and cane in another, I realized I could maximize my reach lying on my back. Too bad I was wearing my "good" jacket. It began to look bleak as time marched on and now back inside the theatre, Buddy literally prayed (and 'Lucy" I found out later) that I'd snag them. No one left though. Victor (Councillor Woodhouse) had just offered to go home and retrieve a metal magnet when I spied a brief glimpse of the rope key-chain! All I had to do was turn the cane slowly to trap it!

"Steady" called the Woodster! "I got it!" shrieked the Tomster, "Yay!" we all yelled, "What a team!" We thanked Victor as he exited to his vehicle, everyone laughing. It was an absolutely bizarre ending to the night. Lucy erupted in elation upon hearing the news! Alas, another PACC coupe! A rare, victorious, cooperative effort, between a politician and a poverty group! Ha.

..... Oh yea, the movie. My son liked it... I thought it was more hype than substance. I had desperately wanted to be moved (by it) but, alas, was not. Sniff.. But that parking lot deal, now that was powerful stuff! We capped the night off with Pizza betweens fits of laughter, as "Lucy' stayed true to form by spilling her pop all over the take-out pizza-parlour floor!

PS: That family lost their eviction fight and were kicked out on the 1st blizzard of the year 2007. Shameful.

Merry X-mas & Happy New Year (Premier) Mcguinty et al, I'm sure your new 25% raises, more than an entire years income for those mentioned above, will assist with that!

'Tis The season, so pick one!

Tom Pearson
PACC (Poverty Action for Change Coalition) Chair