Poverty Awareness in York Region

Sign campaign an issue raiser

Well, the Ontario election has come and gone. It seemed like one of those things that happened so quick, that I barley got into the nitty gritty of who was promising to do what to whom etc. In the end, I'd decided against doing a pre-election blog about the parties, partly because I myself am so disgruntled with the whole political system. I did mention though, that I no longer vote for the party, but the person I feel I can most influence to affect change. Why must an issue with these folks always be black & white - for or against - but rarely any compromised, truly collaborative solutions? I see the same sorts of things happening amongst social service and other 'help" agencies who often have to stretch their mandates to work 'collaboratively" - a term that's been bandied about a lot - but in the end, the often educated, sophisticated boards members are too far removed to really know on the ground floor what will and will not work long term, or is or isn't proper / dignified. And they have to care or they shouldn't be sitting.

Tom visited with Chris Ballard during election run up

Step out work training programs needed

The York Region area boards for shelters, non-profits, and charities are still mostly bare of any meaningful grass roots membership, and even the ones that did, have lessened the numbers, such as "Operation Sparrow" which has morphed into Newmarket Cares - a Georgina Cares type of model now but which at one time had several g.r. representatives. I vice-chaired the committee for a year, and chaired  it for four more, always making sure grass roots membership was there if someone left, as it was like educating the " non- lived experienced" members in itself at times - like a board member wanting to deliver an application to someone face to face instead of by mail. I know why -  one get that satisfaction from a face - but it's not part of keeping the family's dignity intact. Families deserve protection from indignities as much as possible. To qualify candidates for placement, we asked already for a lot of personal information, such as all their employment / tax return information. My experience was always that we'd get a letter from a profusely happy parent thanking us for what we'd done which I'd read out as they came in at meetings. That, I had said, would have to suffice to appease that need to feel appreciated. I also do not go for shots of the kids in the 'programs" just to promote it and we never did.

election now in rearview

I'd had to explain ( to board members) the concept that applicants often are embarrassed already about their situation, and likely low self esteem because of it, and that the mission was to enable kids ( not get self gratification) so let's stick to the program as it were - without extra scrutiny. The program also placed kids, without special kids labels, amongst their peers in ongoing extra curricular activities like arts, karate and sports without anyone the wiser- including the kids of the parents if they choose not to share that with them - that they got in free, while their peers' families paid. This eliminates any distinction, hurt, or embarrassed feelings, and, most importantly, helps keeps the kids' esteem intact.

But the committee served to offer a true "collaboration" of ideas and solutions. It's just too bad Y.R. doesn't get that, because for me, that is what made this program set-up so good was because it included the voices of those from experience. The application process was a system that eliminated embarrassing face to face meetings,  and it was those original grass roots members on the board who gave the input leading to the program being one of the best and most dignified ever devised. It's now morphed into " Newmarket Cares", but for any board or organization to be truly affective, not to mention fairly representative, this is an essential component.

Y.R. Housing Tenant Reference Group a good starting point

Y.R. need look only to it's own experimental model of a "board" with it's Y.R. Housing Tenant Reference Committee", a combination of management, staff and residents that discuss and implement how to best improve tenant and housing relations and operations. An example of grass roots input here such as one instance where a live-in resident member noticed a trend towards furniture etc being thrown on the curbs and nearby forest and approached YR Housing with an idea to have an annual community "clean up", including bringing in bins for tossing unwanted items. As an annual, people know to wait now, and this served to not only maintain and clean up the area but also create an atmosphere of neighbours meeting neighbours in a natural community setting. It is now practised across Y.R.york Region on their properties as part of the yearly maintenance and saves $ thousands of dollars for everyone! That's efficiency.

Anyway...something to think about...and I mention boards and the like today also for another reason, some may remember the "House Of Hope" a few years back where we took some skilled guys and added some labourers learning a trade - some living in shelters or on the streets - to help complete a great job. During the time period that the house was being fixed up we drew lots of attention to the issue and the fact that it had 15 apartments, perfect for a shelter or low income housing or co-op living of some sort! 



The house has, for years, been some kind of rehabilitation center or another. In the past 4 years it served the community as a youth rehab centre, and for 11 years before that, ran as a Crosslinks house for people with mental health afflictions. It is beautiful and it's location is C2 zoned.

" House Of Hope" available for right tenant

Natural light and view in every unit.

So if you are an organization or know of one looking for a prime lease location, just outside Newmarket in Sharon, Ontario that may be suitable then contact me or at 289-221-0928 and I'll set you up for a viewing. It could also be an opportunity for a new idea or group which is looking to cover a gap not being filled - like perhaps housing for youths coming from foster care or some other idea. I loved the original "House of Hope" idea, but funds would likely be too far in the future to make that a reality without some added $, so essentially this 8,000 square foot home and 8 acres of property is prime for the pickings to the right fit!  

More House Info and photos here.

TP Out!

You know, I never understood the connection between Belinda Stronach and the proposed homeless single women over age 26 shelter (York Region already has 7 various shelters that take women in despite what's publicized including both Inns from the Cold), and now with the announcement  - simply handing the reigns over to the Salvation Army Religion to run it - I understand even less - being that it's all taxpayer and fund raised money that's paid the way thus far. Some almost $9 million approved so far I might add...and counting. So where's the big connection? How is it that the Belinda Stronach Foundation attached?

It also tells me their committee or board has no grass roots input whatsoever or are far removed from it - certainly none representing those in poverty because none of them would ever agree to a Salvation Army or any Church run shelter from past experience dealing with them, and as well, having any particular Christian based denomination religion outfit dish out care, instead of accountable professionals, is never wise and could be exclusive to certain religious women in need.

Now this woman is grass roots knowledgeable and stayed in shelters in Ontario recently,

York Region male's shelter day program

" The Ontario's civil service says it does not keep homeless records as other provinces, i.e. Population region by region, etc. Those records are strictly "what the municipalities collect" and the information isn't needed by the Province!

Yes, folks, what we have here is a willingness to belittle and obfuscate other people's lives. Fellow citizens, people anyone of us may have lived beside or shared a sand box with, is willing to kill me or you, by the slowest and most torturous method they can - homelessness!

Recently the provincial government split the portfolios for the women and children's shelters from the men's shelters. Why? The division of data makes it harder to know the whole truth, is one reason.

I saw a fifth building with Salvation Army's logo, and wonder how much money Ontario funnels to them, too. The other night I was able to speak with one of the male residents in the local men's shelter.  He told me he pays $640 a month for a room and board. He also said they shut down the detox section of the building, and he's worried they'll shut the whole shelter down." Poetryontv ( woman shelter user)


So whatever happened to accountable York Region Housing's Blue Doors Shelters running it?

And has its namesake Belinda ever even stepped foot in a S.A. shelter or any shelter? I doubt it. Same with everyone tripping over themselves to do fundraisers - and where are they btw for a men's shelter which meets a much higher threshold for actual immediate need according to our own social audit, Behind The Masks, which its reccomendations were endorsed in principle by Y.R. Council, but which was completely ignored by even building this shelter? There certainly was no problem referring to an official plan to change zoning for them.


Excerpts from the 2010 social audit, prior to the new women's shelter build decision:

Male in Newmarket, Behind The Masks, Y.R. Social Audit

I could go back even further to before they built the family shelter (btw they accept women too), which at the time, I reported they already had an existing building suitable to use, but the Region still tore it down citing a construction company report deeming it " too old" and that the foundation couldn't be fixed, yet the men's Porter Place Shelter, which is much older, was deemed fine? They then built a family shelter on the same property nearby. More $.

Even the local Y.R.M.G. media played into the misrepresentation publishing wording that lead people to believe there were no women's shelters in York Region (not true) whatsoever, by reprinting quotes claiming no women's shelter beds existed, or transitional housing, for any single women (also not true - youth shelters up to age 27 took single women as does Cross Links house all qualified single women).

Heck, the mayor of Newmarket ran the his election on it's coat tails quoting the misinformation at every opportunity he could, yet I noticed this past several International Days for the Eradication of Poverty events he couldn't make it - but could make a same day grand opening for a car dealership. At least he's open about what he is. I can almost respect that.

Homeless home eerily still in place after John Fletchers death

It's like everyone wants the glamour part of the slick websites, marketing campaigns, publicity and fundraisers, construction contracts, photo ops and election fodder but as it gets close to the nitty gritty of running this manufactured need ( majority need men still have only 26 full time beds in York Region shelters) it's dished off to someone else to run anyway - regardless what the people who will be using it think. Who need's the clients' input?

What happened to this being a special place with programs and the like designed by the Belinda's Place think tank..and what of all that wonderful collaboration talk we heard about as this was being sold on us all?

A former Newmarket Golden Gloves Boxer died still living here

Well, wear it proud York Region, because you bought it, and I guarantee you this mausoleum shrine you've built to worship whatever it is you blindly worship about Belinda Stronach, will be here long after she's gone for the winter...but..if there is a silver lining in all this - like York Region's housing, which doesn't mandate to provide for Y.R. residents first before those from outside the region, this new shelter will be the same - filled with women not from York Region. That my friends is their self declared 'hidden homeless", hidden out of town!
 

Here's a link to the video Behind, Behind The Masks, showing our politicians and workers are / were working towards making things better.Who knows, maybe they'll get on track yet!

Now we'll wait and see who 'champions" a shelter for men so they don't continue to have to be shipped out away from their families and support services if any and die young or homeless.. Although word up on the street is that Porter Place for Men, YR's only full time men's hostel, recently brought someone in who cares and is making a difference. Of course that's not anywhere near as trendy a sell as women's programs, nor is what is actually needed - which is affordable housing for all.

PACCMan out

I just got back from a stop in at Dan's - you might remember Dan Philion who is confined to a wheelchair by muscular dystrophy and whose simple request over Christmas to have someone put him to bed at night, as he cannot do it unassisted, has been ignored by the government appointed "caregivers" who claim they "don't have anyone available" to do this at night time. That confused me since most people go to bed at night, and if they are the community care access centre in charge of putting our disabled to bed, then you'd think they'd do that. Apparently not?

After personally assisting Mr Philion myself for the past month to bed, because his service providers apparently cannot and he has no immediate family able to,  I got fed up with the various excuses they've been feeding him. For one, if they don't have someone for that time I suggest they get someone, as obviously there is a need, and if it's happening to Dan - where people's dignity is being controlled by some company claiming they don't have the staff and "get what we give" you types of attitudes - then you can bet it's being done to others - and especially the most vulnerable who may not have anyone speaking up for them like Dan does.

YR's $4 transit rates highest in Canada

But I can tell you right now I will not let up on this issue - this I promise you! As I watch the way our seniors and vulnerable disabled are treated and expected to have a certain level of suspended rights and dignity because of their conditions is just wrong. PACC hosted both the Square Table on Poverty which included MPP Frank Klees and MP Belinda Stronach (although she usually sent a pair of stand ins) and Newmarket York Regional Councilor John Taylor among some including the now Mayor of East Gwillumbury, and as well hosted and prepared a social audit report outlining these issues which the region endorsed, but has since ignored. Questions of dignity and treatment of clients was a number one reported issue but little has changed to address it still. All I hear is fluff about how wonderful the same charities and care givers are doing, whilst people like Dan cry out to no one listening or face waiting lists too long to wait for. People need to go to bed every night.

He's spoken up before, as a participant in both the social audit, while in proces of having his child taken at birth based on his disability, and as well as part of that "Square Table on Poverty" so many years ago now it seems. His issue then was that he couldn't work because he deejayed and they had no transit service to get him there and back. That was 7 or 8 years ago - in 2014 they just finally began offering service to disabled after 10 pm after more PACC noise.

One idea that sprang from the Square Table was that they were also going to help start up a non-profit business that Dan was instrumental in seeing a need for, which was the trend toward people throwing out returnable bottles and a service that would pick them up. At the time, during the Square Table on Poverty which included someone from every level of government, MPP Frank Klees had a restauranteur that was interested to have the service he'd said and Stronach's person insisted they wanted to help make it so and would arrange a meeting there. Well it never happened that's all we know. I don't care who walked across what floor politically; all I know is nothing got done from ther on in so we folded the group. For years Dan asked me about that business that never was and the meeting that never happened. I guess a guy can dream. Meantime we complained about transit so he could DJ at least on occasion.

Virtually the same crew still runs the ships he's complained to, and PACC's efforts have been ignored or stifled, so he's been feeling helpless, even depressed. Imagine losing all control of things around you, and none would be so if not for your disability. You'd even have privacy for the most basic of needs like going to the bathroom.

HE STILL GET'S NO ASSISTANCE TO BED TODAY.  DEC - Jan 19 2014

THAT'S OKAY I'M KEEPING A TAB AND WILL BE BILLING THE COMPANY LATER FOR MY 'TEMP' SERVICES AND THEN DONATING THE MONEY TO DAN SO HE CAN MAYBE BUY SOME GROCERIES.

Dan relies on charity organizations just to get out his door. Well, guess what? They've shown up once all this desperate winter and he's now, in addition to that dilemma, had to deal with getting to bed, but today was a last straw for me - for this service provider company to now tell him they can't have anyone come and get him out of bed until 12:30 pm Sunday, when offering a to bed service time at 7pm, is outrageous and cruel. They don't give him a choice either, he is simply informed they don't have anyone today and that the end of it. Not today!

I referred Dan's dilemma once again to MPP Klees' office and as yet have heard nothing back. MP Lois Brown told Dan exactly what I told him she would whixch was that "it wasn't her department but she'd make some calls". Regional Councilotr John Taylor - the one with the most influence on the issue at hand and it's state - has thus far informed Dan about the new later service available for transit now and will get back to him regarding the CCAC / Caregivers issue and getting to bed. I hope he figures it out soon because I'm sure Dan is not the only one being forced into these vulnerable and inhumane conditions. This is Canada for Gosh sakes have we forgotten everything we stand for in our rush towards the " Canadian Dream?" And what pray tell is that dream anyway? To make excuses for everything wrong we do? Or to make results? I don't know anymore.

I plan to take action to raise a petition to have this company removed as care givers of our disabled. It is disgraceful, and when clients or patients tell these companies they are not being treated with respect - by repeat offenders - we also expect action not reward with new contracts because they are the cheapest. Shop around. You want to be in the human care BUSINESS you better be into it for the right reasons or get out!

Too much charity...not enough care.

Stay tuned!