Poverty Awareness in York Region

                                             Went to a BBQ and a hockey game broke out!

  Recently I began to notice a Dad and son playing road hockey in Newmarket's Mulock Village near the community hall as I was in and out one day and then the next time some more kids had joined in the fray I noticed. I remember thinking it was nice to see another "dad" out in the community getting real with the kids and, in this case, seemingly enjoying it too - but then again what red blooded Canadian boy of any age 4 or 40 doesn't enjoy some road hockey now and then? Especially when your kid had the talent and attitude of his from what I saw. You know I joined them! Ha!

  I thought not much more about it until P.A.C.C. sponsored a free movie night in the community and at the same time gave out some free stuff to those who came. I find this a dignified way to hand out free stuff in a way that doesn't stigmatize as it's presented as just extra stuff  we need to get rid of. I try to make people feel as if they are doing us a favour by taking the free items such as soaps, conditioners, cereal, bags, diapers, formula etc..but I know by the way it all goes that people really appreciate it.

  Movie night we showed The Muppets Movie and I happen to meet this Dad and we talked a bit and I mentioned I had some nets available to any kids in the community as well as sticks in a barrel all i ask is that things are put back. He seemed a good guy and as I say his son seemed to have a natural talent for hockey and likely all sports. I was like that too as a kid. Ask my mom, ha, as I had champion trophies from numerous sports including hockey, road hockey, tennis, soccer, track etc so I can spot it and this kid has it.

  It got me thinking about the award we give out, the Mike Thornhill Memorial award given out of the annual road hockey tourney to one 'worthy" youth, was originally an education award, but now morphed into a cheque  used at the parents' discretion and which coincidentally we will be awarding at Deli House Catering hall on June 22 at 5pm should anyone wish to attend. The thinking was that if a kid wanted to use the money to play ice hockey they should be able to... but back to the kid....as I told his dad, this kid has natural talent, but hockey is expensive and shift work dad isn't a C.E.O. quite yet so it's tough. It got me thinking about the younger kids playing and maybe another award so a younger kid could play ice hockey.

Volunteer Dan looks on as metal is hauled away separate from the other refuse on neighbourhood clean up Day. The method brings funds into a community chest while helping a local business and follows with a community building exercise by cooperative participants cleaning up in and around the area followed by a BBQ!

  The next time I saw them was at the neighbourhood BBQ and cleanup we organize and within that we had a penalty shots contest for the kids ( won by the wiz kid) and later it all continued as dad's kid and youths alike joined in on the fray. Through simple road hockey we were introducing these kids and families came out of the houses and talked adding to a great atmosphere. .By the end of the hockey game the kids were calling me Gretzky ( the kids only 6 how the heck does he know!) and hound me every time they see me now to play! What have I created!!?



  "You know you're kid has a natural talent for sports eh?" I said to him.

  " I know" he replied, " You're not the first to say it a lacrosse coach mentioned it as well"

  " He has a natural talent which you cannot teach. It's just too bad ice hockey is so expensive because he could actually go somewhere. I think as he's a natural."

  I mean for 6 years old and no coaching he was phenomenal and a great disposition and willingness to learn/listen. The kid impressed me that much.Too bad I thought. It really made me think about how much untapped talent goes wasted or undeveloped because of finances. Here was a kid with talent who if his parents were wealthy could likely play rep hockey. Instead.....
                                                           
  Then yesterday I hear my name being called from the familiar spot on the street. It's raining out but there's dad, who admittedly has little interest or talent in sports, out there in the rain die-harding it with his boy with the goal pads on.

  
"Have you ever heard of the Salvation Army Junior Hockey League?

  " No" I said.

  " Well remember you were saying we need to get him playing ice hockey? His teacher got him a 'sponsored" position to play in this Salvation Army Junior Hockey League."

  " That's great", I said " it could be good stepping stone. Although I have to be honest I'm a bit skeptical."

  Firstly I'm against charities replacing mainstream opportunities for kids to play alongside their everyday peers and of religions getting into the business of distributing programs and sports (and camps) as 80% of all the money for their programs(Salvation Army Church) actually comes from ...(Drum roll here) the government!!

  My experience hearing from people dealing with the Salvation Army has not always been good, with some coming away feeling as if they were not treated with dignity as they so like to advertise they are about, but still it sounded interesting, as in looking further, indeed it looks as if some kind of league does exist in Richmond Hill with about 250 players, complete with ice times, various age groups and the like so if that gets the kid an opportunity to play and it's a legit league (not just a token) that's great! I'm not too thrilled that they advertise on their website that its a "Christian coaching methods team and league" that follows "Christian teachings" etc, as some people are not happy with religion being used for distributing social programs like the anti-homelessness programs rather than government which provides them ALL the funds to distribute anyway for it( government provides S.A. the money to distribute 80% of all their programs) and I would imagine they back the hockey "programs" too.

  Why not let kids play mainstream ice hockey through a sponsorship system instead need be if that's the case is my thinking, against the best, not some specialized group or religious organization pushing its teachings however well intentioned. I don't think too many Muslim or Sikh kids will sign up there soon let alone atheists. Don't get me wrong I'm all for freedom of religion and even believe in god, but don't feel people should have to go through a church to access things our society and government should provide whether that be enough in a wage to afford your kid playing hockey or a dignified means to obtain a sponsorship - especially if your kid is talented, be that be sports or education, and that my friends is why we have to stop pushing charitable solutions.

  FUNNY COMING FROM ME IN A WAY SINCE I HELPED START AND CHAIRED OPERATION SPARROW FOR 3 YEARS which offers low income kids an opportunity to play activities at no cost. However in that case I had a say in how it was set up and ensured an application process that keeps applicants' dignity in place, and eliminated the need for embarrassing face to face meetings while allowing for kids to participate in programs alongside regular participants of the host activities such as karate, ball hockey, dance, art and theatre schools with no one the wiser and without the the forfeit of personal information beyond dignified need. I even insisted taxis be set up for those who need them so nio barrier could be used to stop kids from participating. But these were all negotiated with the private sector and cost no-one anything! Not a cent of government money spent in my 4 years there, yet we placed hundreds of kids into 10's of thousands of dollars worth of programs.
I also started and now with a committee run an annual road hockey tourney for youths which is free and uses the private sector via sponsors once again to pay its way - although we did take a small community grant one year to assist with costs.

  This all being said at least the kid'll get a chance to hone his skills a bit perhaps in this 'league" and they can't brainwash him in a year on their religion at that age...just maybe dad or mom! Ha!...and who knows maybe some scouts will visit the Sally Anne league and recruit him or some day he can play in his own local community league with his school peers against kids that'll challenge him to be the best sportsman instead of the best church follower. The kid can go to his own church should he choose someday and not by default.

Tom Out!