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| Stone Soup Live! |
I looked forward to
International Day for the Eradication of Poverty this year. Although it's a day when you might hear tales of personal woe and misery, it has also been, for the past few years, an event for providing inspiration and not just free stuff - although the free pumpkins offered this year went a long way. It has also become a day to express messages through music and the arts.
I got the text somewhere in the aft of the day of, that the pumpkins had arrived and where did I want them? The 2 pm call caught me in between locations, having already been at
Riverwalk
Commons Lions Hall earlier dropping off a first load of equipment and supplies for the outdoor event. Luckily for me, the town staffer I interrupted while eating his lunch, agreed to allow us a small area to store it as we retreated to get more, including the sound equipment. Typically, this day is very hectic but this year, with everything in place early, and enough low budget promotion to attract some people and voices and talent, I was pretty sure we were in for a good one.
The first inkling of what was to come, came hours before the event's official start as I waited for the sound man and volunteers to arrive noticing various people wandering by the dozens of pumpkins adorning the stage, wondering what they were for? I'd then moved our sign over, as well as info about the event, as a focal point, within view of passersby facing Timothy Street, and explained the Int Day to others who'd inquire while offering a pumpkin should they want one.
One couple who'd wandered by by chance were thankful, but, ironically, homeless, and thus had nowhere to put a pumpkin. They were invited back for the after 7pm start too.
When asked, I'd been telling people the
pumpkins were free but that we'd accept a donation if they were able. One man who looked as if he'd seen a few shelters in his day, and now lived nearby, approached, asking about them and looking sheepish upon my explanation, having approached, likely, after overhearing me say they were free. Sensing his hesitation I interjected, " Go ahead, take one ".... "Seriously?", he said. " Go for it. That's what they are for!" I replied. I then took the opportunity to tell him about the event. That is was a day to hear voices speaking out about poverty, and that the night would end with some great entertainment with an open stage should he know anyone who sang or played guitar. He returned later to take part, dancing and even singing some
Elvis onstage with me. He felt welcome and a part of the community methinks.That was what
it was about too.
Inclusion.
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| Formerly Homeless poet meets anti-homelessness advocate |
The pumpkins themselves arrived because of the need to
want to help.
Annette Brown a long time
PACC supporter and community development worker and volunteer passed away and her last passion was making sure kids had pumpkins. She'd noticed while living and working communities in Newmarket and Georgina, that some kids / families, without cars especially, as transit was not as great, would go without pumpkins at Halloween so they'd arrange it so they did and also coordinate neighbourhood pumpkin carving parties. In mentioning this to
Newmarket Food Pantry Director,
Joe Sponga I had no idea he's arrange a crate load for distribution but every one went!
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| PACC Vice-Chair Dan Philion finds some warmth |
The event featured some powerful testimonials, such as the poems read aloud by book of poetry Author
David L Rogers whose poems from his book,
"The Dark Road", reflect real life experiences, and act as therapy to those with addictions and suffer depression... and from displaced Farmer and former Markham mayoral candidate,
Sam Orrico who's story may finally be seeing some light due to the attention we've been able to draw to his dilemma - as he's once again being moved without means.
JAZZled youth COO
Wendy Marais spoke about youth scholarship and sponsorship opportunities as well, and we handed out the
Mike Thornhill Youth Leader Award to 2014 winner
Jason Baulch, Author
Ivan Prokupchuk spoke from a seniors perspective while
JustFlow's
Justin
Harris felt inspired to speak from a personal youth viewpoint. I touched on a few disability issues on behalf of
PACC Vice Chair
Danny Philion also attending in the crowd but not comfortable speaking on stage - Did I mention we had no ramp? Gulp - raising the issue about those in wheelchairs now being able to go out past 10 pm - in part due to our lobbying - was a point I wanted to make, and so did, as it's important to let people know about the wins we have in order to offer some kind of hope that through communication and inclusion we can create better systems that treat people more fairly, and with more dignity. Meantime
Dan has $117 dollars left mid month to get him through including needing groceries.
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| Mixed Bag |
Regional Councilor John Taylor likely squirmed a bit as I broached the wheel trans subject and then dwelled on the transit strike which affected Dan's community for 4 months through
Xmas and let the town's
Deputy Mayor know that was not forgotten. But added also that he was but one person and council vote and not solely accountable for the strike's handling. I also expressed disappointment in the
lack of media around various poverty issues, but particularly during the transit strike, feeling the dilemma people were facing was not covered with much sense of urgency, or the devastation it caused some. And I would have said more, but wanted to try and get focus on some
positive ideas and thoughts for 2014, like
Walk & Roll, a
march of sorts in the works for spring 2015 to draw attention to poverty issues in
York Region.
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| Intense performance |
The part I look forward to more and more each year for the
The International Day is the addition of more
music and arts, and this year in particular, with a focus on youth and the addition of hip hop slotted to end the night off with. It is just a great fit to the theme and encourages rappers and spoken word artists and hip hoppers to express themselves in what is already a natural forum for them to speak out in - already in theme even!
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| Passion from JustFlow |
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| Maurice Weeks AJ Music |
With hip hop roots coming from poverty it seemed a natural fit, and these young talented vocalists, including from walk-ons who happened by and had heard ' the scene", as well as from the
Just Flow and
Arthur Jr Music Family crews really gave it their all. These guys - and GAL! - with female MC, Newmarket, now by way of Aurora's own
Dean Wild of
Stay Blessed Productions, were way passionate and also appreciative of being a part of such an important event, and, I got the sense anyway, of being included by the town if you will too. There's that word again -
Inclusion.
And some of these performers represent the very faces of poverty in
York Region, or the voices or hearts, and they may not be what a stereotypical face of poverty would be considered to be - but they are most certainly representative. Local Music Producer and Performer
Maurice Weeks from
AJM is one example of a local phenom talent as well as
JustFlow who develop young talent as well. Their song
Politics was a perfect fit for the show!
I was really impressed and some performances brought to mind words of wisdom from another event I'd worked a judging panel on with Canadian Idol's
Farley Flex. At the end of that event,
Flex had taken time to talk with the contest performers and flat out told some of them they sounded like American rappers
" But you're not even American. Be yourself. Tell your own story. It's those that stand out from the rest who will make it, not those who sound like everyone else."
Farley Flex, former Canadian Idol Judge
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| Spence |
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| Jackie Playter plays middle person |
Great advice. And these youths showed more class than some of our politicians who I take it were mostly too busy to attend, with only Councilors
Taylor,
Sponga and
Tom Veigh showing up. I guess they are taking their cue from the mayor who hasn't seen fit to show up in several years, opting for a Photo op at car dealership instead in 2013 and who knows in 2014. In Mayor
Tony Van Bynen's defense, he used to come out, until I got very critical one year, sort of ambushing him with negative comments about how the region / town was doing on the issue. Perhaps a less abrasive approach would be more affective to get him to the table in earnest, and, to that end, look to the future for just that - or with a new mayor - whichever plays out.
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| Jeanine with Wendy Marais from Jazzled. |
Council hopefuls also showed they cared enough about
all our residents by braving the cool air including Newmarket mayor candidates, always supportive " Elvis"
Dorian Baxter, as well as
Chris Campbell, School Trustee and anti-bullying advocate candidate,
Bessie Vlasic, Council hopefuls
Doug Crosse as well as
Wasim Jarrah who seems to have a community conscience, and Regional Councilor hopeful,
Darryl Wolk who has pledged support on the issue for some years, as well. Ward 2 Newmarket council candidate
Bill Kukulewich was granted an opportunity to speak into the open stage mic as his platform impressively includes a
7 point plan to eliminate homelessness, even offering to
put up his salary to offset some of its cost if elected!
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| Die hard supporters Mary & Linda |
In between, people got a chance to chat and it was great to have so many come up and say " We've met on
face book but not live" and "maybe our politics aren't so far apart", or " I really appreciate what you're doing" etc..It was great to also see many of the town's leading residents attending, such as
Jackie Playter who volunteers relentlessly and sits on a number of boards, as well as supportive business owners such as
Olga and
Glenn from
CanadaT.com on Main St. who want to sponsors shirts now for next year, having now caught the meaning and spirit of this great event through attending.
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| Does Councilor Taylor ever take a bad picture!? |
You see, when you get off the computers and go meet people in person, wonderful things can happen. Common ground is not that hard to see if
inclusive in our decision making towards this - and any issue (and in our
boardrooms) - you allow yourselves to look for it. If we are, we will make much more real headway. If only in small incremental ways to start, that is fine, so long as we move forward in unison as best we can toward a common goal. Speaking of computers and common goals, the event's volunteer school youths also saved the day with their knowledge of technology to access our back beat sounds, while getting valuable experience and meeting some industry people. Just a great event and day overall in so many ways.
The biggest scandal to rock this year's show was during a youthful
performance towards the end when the enthusiastic performer decided to
smash a few pumpkins, agreeing mid-rap to clean it up afterward which
they did! In my day we'd have stuck it to the man! Ha.
Respect. Another Word of
The Day.
The only regrets for 2014 I have, are not spending more time having and nurturing conversations between hosting duties and making intros,
"I never got to meet that politician wanting to end homelessness...I'm homeless!" Farmer Sam,
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| Food bank Director and Councilor Joe Sponga with Yappers |
and the
lack of representatives from most local
charities, churches, and non profits, especially after they have been pushing for more " collaboration" and "sustainable systems', yet stayed away from a forum allowing face to face interaction with "clients" within a productive environment, and resist having grass roots committee members. And we sure could have used someone organizing / dishing out some
free hot food like in years past too. We do thank
Deli House Catering for use of their hot chocolate dispenser though!
International Day for the Eradication of Poverty was actually
the first official event ever at Riverwalk Commons aside from the grand opening in 2011. Next year,
Oct 17 happens on a Saturday and we shall endeavour to make it the best ever, with more elements and performances, and maybe expand the arts part of it even more with the
Newmarket Arts Festival seemingly running during the same time frame in the same area of town.
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| Dean Wild, left, breaks from the stage with her dog |
Who knows!? Maybe we'll get an
inclusive town council that will
come out and shout to the world how
proud they are of
this event too and show it the
respect it deserves like they do the
Newmarket Jazz + Festival...
Hey! We can use the photo op! Our entire budget was $500. What was theirs? And, after all, there should be no doubt as to which date is more important in the
world.
More event photos here courtesy of Glenn Rodger Events Photography. Show elements provided by
TPE Productions.
The @PACCMan Report
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| Chris Campbell and Wasim Jarrah |
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| Tom Vegh, Councilor and Habitat for Humanity York Region |
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| Doug Crosse with Bessie Vlasic...Who knew he was funny? |
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| The help! |
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| Local Home Boy |
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Poverty makes for strange bed fellows..Thank-you very Much!
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| And an End Of Night Good Time had by all! |
On one hand, it points out the obvious, on the other, it's solutions are slanted towards creating a two tiered rental market, or even three or four, with the end result being landlords creating slums and exclusive areas. And it's actual definition of 'affordable" housing I also have issue with, although they do use the term " at risk of " a fair number of times to confuse one would suppose, leading me to believe they are really branding this point home for some reason. To me, second suite apartments are not affordable either, whereas to them, they are.
