Poverty Awareness in York Region

Oct 17 is International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, and as such, is marked by events around the world to draw attention to, and find solutions to, end poverty.

To me it's a day where you find out who the pretenders are in York Region. The ones who claim to want to help those in poverty, yet don't show up Oct 17 to add their supportive voice to the mix. Some of those are "do-gooders" who can't understand why food banks and free dinners aren't good enough. The dignity part goes over their heads. Some are in in for the money, not the principle, and without poverty, perhaps they don't have a job....and so you have to ask is their motive really about ending it? Fortunately, corporate business charities and nonprofits are made up of people, some of whom do care, and they come even if their agency isn't officially there.

Y.R.'s winter shelters are not open in October

Hopefully the Mayor of Newmarket, Tony Van Bynen, shows up this year. As much as Regional Councillor John Taylor is an eloquent speaker, we like to hope the Mayor also cares enough to come. M.P.'s and M.P.P.'s are also welcome to come listen in and maybe engage, and we're hoping our invitation to Newmarket-Aurora M.P.P. Frank Klees makes good, as a letter asking for support for specific legislation changes to protect vulnerable residents is in the works and to be presented. I've never seen M.P. Julia Munroe attend any year, while all the rest have. She doesn't have to care I guess. Besides, P.M. Harper just pledged to help women and children in foreign countries and that should be enough to keep people happy.Yea, right.

P.A.C.C. hosted a social audit a few years back that looked at poverty from a critical viewpoint. It was the 1st in York Region's history, and critiqued the services and system through the eyes of those experiencing it while issues were raised and discussed / critiqued amongst groups made of politicians and social / agency workers and community leaders. 

Inn From Cold woman's beds sit mostly empty in winter

The audit digested information gathered from sample persons from all sectors of York Region, inclusive across racial lines and sexes, all included in the final report, which was Co-Written by myself Yvonne Kelly and made a number of recommendations. The report was endorsed in principle after a presentation to council and its sat relatively unused since - although the Region did forward it to the Ontario government as representative insight from York Region.

This is unfortunate because such a report and the gleaned info would cost 10's of thousands of dollars normally and since government got it at a bargain, FREE, they could at least use it.

Sits empty, yet building a new shelter

The problem is, it criticizes the status quo and how things are currently run, something that has not been acknowledged nor altered. Men still feel treated poorly at shelters and continue to be low-balled in both access to programs and shelters, whilst the Region ignored the report they endorsed and steamed forward toward building a questionably needed women's shelter - as the Region has 6 already in various forms!

During the campaign to gain interest to build this shelter, the now defunct and paid by the region " Homelessness Alliance of Y.R."  supposedly did a "survey" and found women were homeless, but hidden as couch surfers, and therefore could only give "guesstimate" numbers on that but trust them they exist. These are the "facts" they then used to justify building another women's shelter - while men have but 26 full time beds available to them in a Region of 1.2 million people. Backed by a throng of Belinda Stronach worshipers, including our only newspaper's Editor who chaired the presentation to council and sits on the board, it might as well have been rubber-stamped from the outset especially with all our ties to the Stronach dynasty here. Facts be damned.

We have documented concrete proof  men are living and dying on the streets. 
Now, that's a fact.

At any rate decide for yourself on Oct 17 when the World Premiere of the documentary  "Behind The Masks" shows. This documentary style video contains live testimonials from those within the safety-net system here in rich York Region, Ontario, Canada.


The movie will premiere during the Oct 17 International Day for the Eradication of Poverty event held at Stellar Hall, 1220 Stellar Dr Newmarket 2nd floor above Stellar Bowl. 

From one of our Y.R. "food distribution programs"

Doors open 7 pm with fresh hot & cold food and refreshments provided. Includes Open Stage and features Headliner entertainment by TPE with reggae rooted The Yappers.
Cover - pay what you will.

Sign up for the event on Facebook here.

Tom out!

This Wed Oct 17 is International Day for the Eradication of Poverty. It is a day marked around the world as THE ONE to speak out for those marginalized by poverty. It was started by Joseph Wrtezinski, a man of religion in Paris France, who had grown up in abject poverty. Millions worldwide now gather on this day.

2012 to be held at Newmarket's Riverwalk Commons stage

In York Region, or Newmarket rather, we hold an annual event which includes information on world and localized poverty and affords opportunities for aspiring people to speak out via various means such as performance artists who play original or otherwise related pieces...A Beatles love song may fit the bill, whatever the song or performance means to someone could also be explained prior to the singing of a song. Although original material is preferred. For example, if someone knew of someone marginalized and a particular song was a favourite of or its lyrics reminded them then explain that and why and a little about that person or situation beforehand.

The day's events are kicked off at 2pm with the reading of the pledge against poverty and some opening words from PACC Chair Tom Pearson. The mic / stage is then open for anyone wishing to speak. Ambient performers /drummers permitted.Indoors will be lined with information booths, tables/seating, and include ambient music with DJ / Open stage Host Funnyman Dan Philion. Indoor and outdoor areas available until 8PM.

4pm - Free Hot food and nourishment is usually part of the equation as well to entice people to come out in the usually cold weather and this year the lords prayer will be read into play as well to commemorate the service churches give to aid those in poverty. Fresh hot soup, bread, maybe some fruit bars with coffee and away we go. At least this year we have a nearby indoor facility as well to keep everyone warm need be. And bathrooms for that matter, as each year the former location at Fairy Lake would seemingly close down just before Oct 17. Lets just say that was a deal breaker for some. Ha.

Open Mic - 2-6:30 pm - Main Stage performers 6:30

The local event in 2012 is being held at Newmarket's Riverwalk Commons and as well inside the Newmarket Community Centre's Lions Club Hall and will feature a gaggle of information tables such as Make Poverty History, aboriginal crafts, presentation by Options for Homes CEO Mike Labbe at 3pm, Freedom 95 a group of senior food bank volunteers pushing for an end to food-banks,  Legal Clinic of York Region, Housing Help Center including the distribution of free (Talk2one messaging) phone #'s and ID clinic, Y.R. Food Network, PACC, some projected media, live Performance Artists and most of all an open mic on the main stage for anyone wishing to communicate via whatever their art - be it spoken word or miming or improvisation or what have you. Indoor opportunities as well for performers.

4:30pm Tribute to Youth - Quest for Youth show producer Luther Mansraj..also youth singers including!

5:00pm Outdoors - Open Stage continues main stage - open mic / jam musicians included / booths indoors / hot food & drink continues

6pm - Videos - Indoors

6:30pm - Main Stage Performers to 7:30 or 8pm.

Includes - Author / Poet David L Rogers (The Dark Road), more youthful singers, Schtik Jagger, Hip Hop Artist Test of Test Logik, Singer guitar sensations Lucky Jackson from England, Joe from The Dangles,  Fred Joly, Aboriginal Drumming by Kim, Street sensation Singer/guitar/picker Daniel, & Select previous Open Stage Performers!

Please see the PACC News / Report - short news-like clips includes transit strike, "Occupy Newmarket", humourous corporate info!

Day 1 - http://youtu.be/vVeTWGY4vfQ

Day 2 - http://youtu.be/mj_3wIp6SAw

Enjoy!

PS Despite the transit strike some are still asking to meet regarding xmas drives/food /youth road hockey event etc so we'll look to do so soon..when is good for people!?

Occupy Newmarket on Facebook

Author, Senior, and long time outspoken local resident Ivan Propovchuk returns to speak for 2011 event.
 Newmarket MP Lois Brown will not be attending the Oct 17 as she will be in Ottawa. She last attended in 2009. Inquiries to have a federal representative offer an update on Canada's obligations to the UN agreement to end child poverty went unanswered.

I figured with Oct 17 around the corner, International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, I should blog something - if not to remind people about the significance and importance of this day which was started some years ago by a French Priest,  Joseph Wresinski, who came from poverty and who unveiled a commemorative sculpture at the Trocadera Human Rights Plaza on October 17, 1987, in front of 100,000 people from every social background and continent. Known as the World Day to End Extreme Poverty, the day was recognized by the United Nations as the International Day for The Eradication of Poverty in 1992.

PACC actually kicked off it's existence on that date in 2004 and subsequently has held an event every year since in York Region to try and instill a sense of obligation that we as a community have to change things. The hope was also to attract organizations on the same page in hoping better for people, and perhaps assisting to that end. A great opportunity also was the thinking for some of that collaboration we hear so much about as a buzz word. Oct 17 is marked by simultaneous events worldwide, resulting most recently in setting world records in successive years for those standing at once against poverty with over 20 million standing and pledging at once!Yet in York Region we have struggled to get organizations or even churches to attend, assist, participate (or donate) to ensure their voices or those in their programs or care or guidance are given the opportunity to be heard and a shot at dignity.

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