Poverty Awareness in York Region

I'd received an e-mail regarding a presentation of a new collaborative initiative being put forward by the Human Services Planning Board called, "Making Ends Meet in York Region" and had decided to check it out... only to discover...I wasn't expected! Yikes! Likely the message had come from another group PACC stays in the loop with called the Forum for Children, Youth and their Families in York Region, and meant sent to me as information about the upcoming launch of this initiative but not as an invite, per say, to the presentation... C' est la vie! Surprise! I'm staying now...(awkward silence)! I guess it was one way to forge closer ties! Ha!

It did give me a chance to meet with the York Region presenter to mention some "solutions" directly to as well as meet Kirsten Eastwood Executive Director of the Women's Centre of York Region, Janice Chu Director of Community Investment United Way York Region and Dino Basso York Region's Executive Director of Strategic Initiatives and Administration among some. Introductions were quickly made around the table and the presentation commenced - of which a copy on " memory stick" was made available in the "kits" everyone received to assist in launching, " Making Ends Meet" in York Region.

The idea, I think, was that in order to maximize participation levels, numerous organizational Chairs and E.D.'s endorse "Making Ends Meet" in advance of asking agencies to participate in this data collecting/solutions based exercise, which by design, receives input from agencies and community groups which is then entered into their computers. This "data" is compiled, deduced, and calculated, hopefully spitting out focused solutions in the end! Sound simple? Complicated? It does sound like more of that " collaborative" talk - with an electronic twist - that was the buzz lingo of last week....before that it was 'silos". Of course under the right setting and circumstances, and starting with such an impressive list of endorsing organizational heads, this may actually prove a useful exercise and anyway I figure if Y.R.'s newish Commissioner Adelina Urbanski backs it then it's likely well planned, as the Commish has proved efficient and forward thinking during her short tenure thus far.

I inquired as to why they chose the before tax amount of income to decide the " low income cut-off" threshold for it's purposes and not the after tax amount, and Mr. Basso was quick to point out that a difference of $2,000 per year could be deemed a significant amount to some. He's very right. Off the stats sheet provided with the Making Ends Meet launch kits I read that a single person in York Region would be considered at the low-income cut-off mark when making $19, 144 per year - wherein someone receiving social assistance could be receiving about $11,000 less than that. Tough to do in York Region or anywhere, but of course those rates are set out by the provincial government and out of the Region of York's control - yet available GTA pooled, and other funds can be used to assist we feel.

These millions of dollars in returning "pooling dollars" were revenues successfully lobbied back to the Region from Toronto some years ago by numerous " collaborating" organizations on the guise they were needed for our own social service costs, yet Y.R. has consistently used major portions of it to pay down debt and pay infrastructure costs instead. Not really fair to those lobbying groups and residents I'd say. This part IS a regional (council) responsibility and when I see the immaculate lawns of these magnificent structures we house our government workers in, one has to wonder about our society's priorities when pretty lawns trump giving someone food and shelter with dignity. An alien visiting earth would be confused methinks, but this is our societal "norm".

From the Making Ends Meet literature I read that in addition to having one of if not the lowest rental housing stock availability rates per capita in all Canada (with only 12% of all available housing stock as such), in 2006, 57.3% of low and "moderate income residents" had post secondary education certificates, diplomas or degrees, that the majority of of low and moderate income earners also worked during the year, and that 35% of moderate income residents spent between 30-50% of their earnings on housing - 71% of low income residents did the same. This means having an education in York Region does not necessarily mean you will be out of poverty. This data backs a recent U.K. study that also showed having an education or a job does not guarantee one can live above the poverty line, but the available local jobs / pay rates and conditions do. So a job is no guarantee against living in poverty in other words.One is actually considered "at risk" of becoming homeless when you pay more than 30% or your income on housing costs. Gulp.

At any rate I raised desire for quicker action, citing homeless men in our forests in winter as an example of obvious needed changes that don't need "data" or further 'study", and as well pointed to Behind the Masks - testimonials from those marginalized by income - York Region's first ever social audit and one the Region has adopted already, as containing many suggested "solutions", conveying my hopes that it was / would be consulted as well. The Region looks to receive input from as many organizations( in York Region) as possible and is asking participating agencies and organizations to start promoting it by displaying their "Statement of Endorsement" certificates in-house also included in the "kits". Each participating organization then inputs specific data and ideas on easy to use computer entry-ware!

Ready set....go!

Deadline for submitting solutions is October 6 2011.


....And it was nice to have been able to meet everyone that I did, although somewhat haphazardly, and was great to chat a little with the Women's Centre of York Region's Executive Director to throw some thoughts to her about the House of Hope/men's centre idea and as well mentioned our pilot PACC /TALK 2 ONE " project wherein we distribute free phone numbers /24/7 message service" for at risk and homeless persons - as some women in need would benefit by being able to leave a "safe" contact number where they can be left private messages either by workers, jobs, or housing providers where only they have access to their messages. This is a service I hope to convince the Region to pick up, as it will assist numerous people across many sectors and can be used to collect important data. I also spoke a little about how we've been placing persons at risk and others into jobs and training some others to be skilled, which the E.D. told me the Women's Centre was starting to look at similar ideas with more private enterprise involvement, offering to share any experiences she's had already. Hmm... maybe there's something to this 'collaborating " thingy after all!
I do know our "Do the Math" collaborative group was interested too and looking to learn more
about "Making Ends Meet in York Region."

Meantime PACC's Vice-Chair Kristine Carbis was able to attend the East Gwillumbury Accessibility Council input meeting, where she heard they await a report being tabled by Charles Beer, who was one of the Rapporteurs of the PACC hosted, ISARC guided social audit "Behind The Masks", and which also featured Speaker David Lepofski who's famous for having audio announcements on public transportation made mandatory under the law. Not bad action from an organization that refuses government funding. Lepofski finished with this,

"Know the three rules of advocacy. 1) Know exactly what you want 2) scream as loud as you can 3) scream until you get it!" Ha!

And speaking of advocacy, Robin Wardlaw, formerly known as Rev Wardlaw of Trinity United Church, has been officially nominated as the provincial NDP candidate for the Newmarket / Aurora riding for the upcoming fall election. I know Robin well from attending some of PACC's various initiatives as a socially conscious pastor including for the Put Food in the Budget campaign, as well a supporter for years of the Oct 17, International Day for the Eradication of Poverty held at Newmarket's Fairy Lake Park, and as a Reverend also worked with me to get a homeless father and son situated (see video) as he's always been a vocal supporter for people's rights, especially the vulnerable. Robin Wardlaw is most certainly a man of good character and I believe a man of principles - something rare in politics these days I find.
God only knows. Oops, sorry Rev..er Robin..old habit! Not that habit! There I go again! Doh!

Well..folks..That's it! Watch for the next action from Poverty Free Ontario including lawn signs..coming soon to an electoral district near you! Next PFO meeting June 20

Next PACC meeting Wed June 22 - TBA time/place

Now..Enjoy Part 2 of Homeless in York Region

Tom out!