Homeless in Abbotsford, BC
I DO NOT, HAVE NOT, WOULD NOT ever suggest throwing money at a problem. I am a REALIST, believing in examining a problem to understand what the situation IS. I am not an Ideologue who, wearing the blinders of ideology, looks at a situation and sees what they want to see, not what really is. There is NO perfect solution. A system dealing with people demands flexibility and denies neat, easy answers. Rigidly applying Ideology guarantees failure. How I came to homelessness: click Backstory below.
Musings on reaping limitless cosmic Wealth
Sunday I was feeling somewhat melancholy having missed the Lost Checkered Sox performance Friday night. As a practitioner of good mental hygiene I realized a change of outlook was needed. So I decided to take advantage of the crisp, sunny fall day to sit in the sun contemplating and cogitating upon lost checkered socks and what their relationship to the Great washing machine mystery.
I speak of course of the apparent appetite of washing machines for devouring the odd sock. We all know that the idea of washing machines eating socks is ridiculous. Which leaves us to address what exactly is the fate of a missing sock and where do they go?
It occurred that what is required is a government grant of $250,000 to enable the conducting of a study of this great conundrum. This level of grant would permit the rental of a suitable space; supply all the cutting edge electronic tools to properly record the experimental results, a transport vehicle and a new heavy duty washer/dryer set. While considering the design parameters for the envisioned experiments it became obvious that the testing regimen required amendment to include the possibility that we are not dealing with a Great Washing Machine Mystery but rather a Great Dryer Mystery.
Thus it was quickly apparent that an additional Phase II $250,000 grant would be required to expand the study to include the washing machine vs. dryer hypothesis. In contemplating this increased funding stream it was recognized the opportunity was present to achieve both faster results and to serve a public need. Since the Phase I portion of the grant provides funding for the equipment to ensure the proper recording of the experiments, all of the second portion would be available to leverage the experiments to achieve a multiplier effect.
This Phase II grant would finance the salary for a research assistant, the procurement of a bank of heavy duty washer/dryers and a suitably accessible location. Opening the doors to those in poverty, the working poor and the homeless would ensure the randomness of wash loads while supplying the large number of wash loads called for in order to accelerate the experiment.
Given the demonstrated randomness of the sock relocation, the randomness of the loads, the large number of loads (reflective of the large need for access to laundry facilities in these poor/homeless populations) and with the detailed recording of the make up of each experimental load this approach holds the promise of greatly accelerating the process of determining the mass/mass distribution that triggers the effect. Once the general trigger parameters of the effect are determined it will be possible to focus experimentation on gaining a detailed understanding of the mass/distribution relationship to gain the ability to trigger the effect when desired.
Having sought theoretical inspiration through logical thought and analysis as well as the technique of seeking oneness with the Universe utilizing meditation on what is the true cause of sock relocation I have arrived at the only conclusion that explains the observed phenomena. I freely admit that at first I was incredulous at the conclusion the facts led to. However, as the wise know, when all other possibilities are eliminated what remains is the answer, no matter how fantastic or outrageous an answer it may appear to be.
Since a properly impressive name must await a deep understanding of the phenomena, it will be at this beginning stage of the experimental investigation referred to as washing machine dimension effect. I acknowledge that at this time it could very well be it is in fact the dryer dimension effect. However, until proof one way or the other is uncovered, Washing Machine Dimensional (w.m.d.) will be used to refer to the Effect.
The word dimension is used since it is clear that the repetitive mechanical workings of a washing machine (or dryer) when loaded with the correct mass/mass distribution of a load of laundry that includes at least one pair of socks causes an opening through another dimension to form. Evidence demonstrates that the inter-dimensional portal is a short lived and small phenomenon as only one sock is transported. Obviously this phenomenon functions in a manner similar to its larger and more spectacular cousin – the wormhole. I postulate that the opening of an “entrance portal” in one washing machine triggers the opening of an “exit portal” in another ‘in use’ distant washing machine. This conclusion is supported by and helps to explain the wide spread belief that washing machines (or dryers) are devouring socks. At the entrance machine the missing sock is noted while at the exit machine the presence of the transported sock leads to the erroneous conclusion that a sock is missing. Thus it is that at each occurrence of the Effect twice the actual number of disappeared socks are noted – explaining why the belief in machines devouring socks is so widely and firmly spread throughout the globe.
Advances in GPS technology will permit the quick pin-pointing of the exit portal location, permitting a timely arrival so that the make up of the destination load, the mass/mass distribution that supported the conditions that resulted in the formation of the exit portal. Thus Phase III, encompassing the need for transcontinental, perhaps intercontinental will necessitate a Phase III budget of $2,500,000. It is envisioned that the major focus of Phase III is to obtain an understanding of the rules/mechanism involved in the triggering/formation of entrance/exit portals.
Phase IV will take the understanding of the Effect obtained in Phase III in order to ascertain how to enter wmd space (the washing machine dimension), manoeuvre within wmd space and exit wmd space at a point in our space-time continuum of our choosing. The funding required for the micro portion of the research of this transportation method will be $25,000,000. Once the ability to enter, manoeuvre and exit wmd space using robotic micro probes is found to be feasible/within reach it is anticipated that the next Phase will begin to gear up before the final completion of Phase IV.
Phase V having a projected budget of $250,000,000 for the initial stage of this Phase which involves sizing up the probes from the micro to the macro level to permit the entrance, travel and exit of wmd space by transports capable of carrying human travellers/explorers. The second stage of this phase, requiring an investment of $2,500,000,000, is to engineer, design, build and test a ship in order to demonstrate the technologies suitability to space travel, exploration and resource exploitation.
Phase VI is to build a ship to explore the Terran solar system, planetary bodies and to inventory the system resources available for the establishment of off planet mining, manufacturing, engineering and “space dock” ship building facilities. It is anticipated that the technology involved will permit the ship to be built within the $25,000,000,000 budgeted for this phase.
With a budget $250,000,000,000 the vision for Phase VII is the deployment of the ship and other developed transportation/engineering/research & development resources to establish off planet resources. We know that the solar system abounds with mineral and energy resources easily accessible to those with efficient space transport. It is anticipated that it will be necessary to establish and staff space-based habitats to achieve the goals for this phase of creating mining, refining, manufacturing, engineering and building facilities.
Phase VIII with its budget of $250,000,000,000 is to use the developed off-earth resources and building capabilities in the continuing design, build and launch of interstellar exploration craft. It should be noted that the spin-off socially responsible actions of Phase II will be continued throughout the later Phases of the Project. It is anticipated that the empathy developed in making socially responsible choices and behaviour part of the modus operandi of the Project will permit the establishment of trade and co-operation with other space travelling life-forms. At this point it is to be expected that the Project will be sell financing from inter-species trade, processing of space borne resources and spin-offs of scientific resources.
The future is nova brilliant. The key to this abundance and to our space-faring/exploring future is leadership and the willingness to make the modest investment in the Project.
Sunday I was feeling somewhat melancholy having missed the Lost Checkered Sox performance Friday night. As a practitioner of good mental hygiene I realized a change of outlook was needed. So I decided to take advantage of the crisp, sunny fall day to sit in the sun contemplating and cogitating upon lost checkered socks and what their relationship to the Great washing machine mystery.
I speak of course of the apparent appetite of washing machines for devouring the odd sock. We all know that the idea of washing machines eating socks is ridiculous. Which leaves us to address what exactly is the fate of a missing sock and where do they go?
It occurred that what is required is a government grant of $250,000 to enable the conducting of a study of this great conundrum. This level of grant would permit the rental of a suitable space; supply all the cutting edge electronic tools to properly record the experimental results, a transport vehicle and a new heavy duty washer/dryer set. While considering the design parameters for the envisioned experiments it became obvious that the testing regimen required amendment to include the possibility that we are not dealing with a Great Washing Machine Mystery but rather a Great Dryer Mystery.
Thus it was quickly apparent that an additional Phase II $250,000 grant would be required to expand the study to include the washing machine vs. dryer hypothesis. In contemplating this increased funding stream it was recognized the opportunity was present to achieve both faster results and to serve a public need. Since the Phase I portion of the grant provides funding for the equipment to ensure the proper recording of the experiments, all of the second portion would be available to leverage the experiments to achieve a multiplier effect.
This Phase II grant would finance the salary for a research assistant, the procurement of a bank of heavy duty washer/dryers and a suitably accessible location. Opening the doors to those in poverty, the working poor and the homeless would ensure the randomness of wash loads while supplying the large number of wash loads called for in order to accelerate the experiment.
Given the demonstrated randomness of the sock relocation, the randomness of the loads, the large number of loads (reflective of the large need for access to laundry facilities in these poor/homeless populations) and with the detailed recording of the make up of each experimental load this approach holds the promise of greatly accelerating the process of determining the mass/mass distribution that triggers the effect. Once the general trigger parameters of the effect are determined it will be possible to focus experimentation on gaining a detailed understanding of the mass/distribution relationship to gain the ability to trigger the effect when desired.
Having sought theoretical inspiration through logical thought and analysis as well as the technique of seeking oneness with the Universe utilizing meditation on what is the true cause of sock relocation I have arrived at the only conclusion that explains the observed phenomena. I freely admit that at first I was incredulous at the conclusion the facts led to. However, as the wise know, when all other possibilities are eliminated what remains is the answer, no matter how fantastic or outrageous an answer it may appear to be.
Since a properly impressive name must await a deep understanding of the phenomena, it will be at this beginning stage of the experimental investigation referred to as washing machine dimension effect. I acknowledge that at this time it could very well be it is in fact the dryer dimension effect. However, until proof one way or the other is uncovered, Washing Machine Dimensional (w.m.d.) will be used to refer to the Effect.
The word dimension is used since it is clear that the repetitive mechanical workings of a washing machine (or dryer) when loaded with the correct mass/mass distribution of a load of laundry that includes at least one pair of socks causes an opening through another dimension to form. Evidence demonstrates that the inter-dimensional portal is a short lived and small phenomenon as only one sock is transported. Obviously this phenomenon functions in a manner similar to its larger and more spectacular cousin – the wormhole. I postulate that the opening of an “entrance portal” in one washing machine triggers the opening of an “exit portal” in another ‘in use’ distant washing machine. This conclusion is supported by and helps to explain the wide spread belief that washing machines (or dryers) are devouring socks. At the entrance machine the missing sock is noted while at the exit machine the presence of the transported sock leads to the erroneous conclusion that a sock is missing. Thus it is that at each occurrence of the Effect twice the actual number of disappeared socks are noted – explaining why the belief in machines devouring socks is so widely and firmly spread throughout the globe.
Advances in GPS technology will permit the quick pin-pointing of the exit portal location, permitting a timely arrival so that the make up of the destination load, the mass/mass distribution that supported the conditions that resulted in the formation of the exit portal. Thus Phase III, encompassing the need for transcontinental, perhaps intercontinental will necessitate a Phase III budget of $2,500,000. It is envisioned that the major focus of Phase III is to obtain an understanding of the rules/mechanism involved in the triggering/formation of entrance/exit portals.
Phase IV will take the understanding of the Effect obtained in Phase III in order to ascertain how to enter wmd space (the washing machine dimension), manoeuvre within wmd space and exit wmd space at a point in our space-time continuum of our choosing. The funding required for the micro portion of the research of this transportation method will be $25,000,000. Once the ability to enter, manoeuvre and exit wmd space using robotic micro probes is found to be feasible/within reach it is anticipated that the next Phase will begin to gear up before the final completion of Phase IV.
Phase V having a projected budget of $250,000,000 for the initial stage of this Phase which involves sizing up the probes from the micro to the macro level to permit the entrance, travel and exit of wmd space by transports capable of carrying human travellers/explorers. The second stage of this phase, requiring an investment of $2,500,000,000, is to engineer, design, build and test a ship in order to demonstrate the technologies suitability to space travel, exploration and resource exploitation.
Phase VI is to build a ship to explore the Terran solar system, planetary bodies and to inventory the system resources available for the establishment of off planet mining, manufacturing, engineering and “space dock” ship building facilities. It is anticipated that the technology involved will permit the ship to be built within the $25,000,000,000 budgeted for this phase.
With a budget $250,000,000,000 the vision for Phase VII is the deployment of the ship and other developed transportation/engineering/research & development resources to establish off planet resources. We know that the solar system abounds with mineral and energy resources easily accessible to those with efficient space transport. It is anticipated that it will be necessary to establish and staff space-based habitats to achieve the goals for this phase of creating mining, refining, manufacturing, engineering and building facilities.
Phase VIII with its budget of $250,000,000,000 is to use the developed off-earth resources and building capabilities in the continuing design, build and launch of interstellar exploration craft. It should be noted that the spin-off socially responsible actions of Phase II will be continued throughout the later Phases of the Project. It is anticipated that the empathy developed in making socially responsible choices and behaviour part of the modus operandi of the Project will permit the establishment of trade and co-operation with other space travelling life-forms. At this point it is to be expected that the Project will be sell financing from inter-species trade, processing of space borne resources and spin-offs of scientific resources.
The future is nova brilliant. The key to this abundance and to our space-faring/exploring future is leadership and the willingness to make the modest investment in the Project.
Drop-in
“What do we need?” is a question often posed to me. With all that is needed to begin to address the many facets of the homeless question it can be hard, especially with the complications and massive needs that are a result of neglect and/or thoughtlessly actions or inactions, to decide where to start. These days I feel there is one item that stands out because it has the promise to save lives if we can act quickly enough.
The final touches are being put on the official Abbotsford strategy for extreme weather. Truly nice to see a positive step forward in a timely fashion without hemming and hawing or a list of reasons why not. Although the project I want to get off the ground may not cause hemming and hawing it will cause screaming, massive lists of “Why nots”, NIMBY’s, and have politics rearing its ugly head. An extreme weather plan is needed, but weather conditions that are not deemed extreme can still, in our wet, rainy climate pose significant threats to health and even life.
I was homeless last winter, living through day after day of often torrential rain. Even with my car, which was a water proof shelter, the rain and wet were hard to deal with. For those without such a waterproof haven the weather was a threat. I had someone come up to me and say thank you for Street Hope. I was not an official volunteer but since I was depending on them for a warm place, hot coffee and food, and since I was capable I pitched in to help where needed. This would explain his mistake and it was simpler to accept the thanks and pass it along to Dave and his dedicated band. The point was the having finished treatment and living sober he felt he needed to express his thanks because he felt that having a place for drying out, to get dry clothes, hot coffee and food was why he was alive to become sober. He was not the first person I had heard express this belief, that someone’s life was saved due to being able to drop in. Unfortunately Street Hope was judged undesirable and the people who depended on it “expendable”. In the words of the businessman Scrooge “Let them die and reduce the surplus population”. It seems likely the scrooges of the downtown Abbotsford would include “just don’t die on my doorstep and create a nuisance”.
So a open drop-in has made its way to the top of my list as it has not only the potential to save lives but its potential to provide other much needed services. It would not be open 24 hours a day, but its hours would be long and extended to cover the hours other places of help and refuge are closed. It also needs to be tasked with working with its neighbours to address problems – just as the neighbours would be tasked with doing their part in problem solving. So here are some of my ideas. Just remember that in keeping with my views on the homeless situation I do not view this as a bible but as a starting place. Anything you undertake has to be flexible, open to trying new ideas, open to community ideas and definitely not written in stone. So, this is a framework for getting off our butts and making a start. For as I have already quoted Yoda: Try not. Do or Do Not. There is no Try”. We need to stop hiding behind “try or trying to” and Do.
I want to open the Locus of Dawn. A drop-in centre for the homeless, the poor, the lonely, those in need of help and the volunteer. The mission statement of the centre is in its name:
*Locus*: n. 1: a locality; a place; 2: A center or focus of great activity or intense concentration 3: The set or configuration of all points that satisfy specific conditions. *Dawn*: n. 1: a first appearance; a beginning; or as a verb v. 1: become clear or enter one's consciousness or emotions; 2: To begin to be perceived or understood;
For some it will be a place for people to come to begin their journey. These journeys could be to goals such as housing, employment or addiction treatment. For some it will be a place for it to enter their minds, and for it to become clear, that they need to make some changes. For the community and others involved, it is a place to begin to perceive and understand all the facets of homelessness, poverty and addiction. It will provide a focus for the great many activities needed to begin to help people move from homeless to employment and back into society. The concentration will be on its particular mission – the homeless are to be its single-minded focus and its concentration to be on addressing the needs of the homeless community. But it will be open to all those who have a need that the centre can meet as part of its daily services provided to the homeless community, welcoming all as long as it does not detract from the mission to meet the needs of the homeless. The centre needs to have a varied set (or configuration) of points (services, knowledge, contacts, et al) satisfying specific conditions (for each differing destination).
What do I envision this centre providing? *** (Subject to revision without notice to incorporate any good ideas and suggestions). 1) Coffee; a location for church groups who wish to serve food (lunches or evenings); to ensure that a supper of some sort is available daily; a place to collect and distribute clothing, bedding, etc. a place that interested groups can use to distribute to the homeless and poormail boxes, telephones for phone access, industrial washers and dryers, shower facilities, washrooms, storage lockers, computer access, internet access, email addresses and access. 2) Résumés, cover letters, job hunting help and support, dressing & grooming for job hunting and interviews, liaising with the business community to build bridges and a portfolio of work available, job referralsliaison and or out reach point for services available from governments, churches, community services, treatment facilities, recovery houses, addiction counselinga coordinating point among all the stakeholders, mediation between various stakeholders, recruiting of groups to provide goods, services, food, support and volunteers 3) leadership and advocacy on questions, problems, ideas and on issues in conflict, housing issues: desperate need for longer-term shelter beds; transitional housing; subsidized housing; BC housing issues liveable social assistance levels - $850.00; lobbying local MLAs John van Dongen and Mike de Jong on assistance levels, grants and funding for programs to address the needs to reduce homelessness. working with our local MP Ed Fast to secure federal funding not just on the homeless issues but from funds for issues affecting the homeless such as employment, education, training, wage subsidies out reach to those who cannot seek out services, employment, housing, medical treatment, mental health help etc. on their own.
This is only a beginning list of services and goals because it is my intention the centre always be a work-in-progress. That it be constantly experimenting, adjusting, adding and (were necessary) dropping offerings, always changing always flexible. Part of the centre’s gestalt would be that it will show leadership on other pressing needs such as the need for a longer-term shelter, more 2nd stage housing modeled on the Supported Independent or for reform of the provincial social ‘assistance’ system.
Based upon my own up close and personal experiences it is my opinion that a centre of this type is the most effective and efficient way to begin to address the many varied needs of the (extremely varied) homeless community. It will provide a focal point to co-ordinate and facilitate services. In the course of being homeless I have come into contact with many good people. To some of them it would provide an ideal job, their skills, education, experiences and personalities making them suitable to help accomplish the centre’s goals. For others the centre would be an anchor point for them to fan out from in reaching out to those on the streets not yet ready to come to the centre and start their journey off of the streets. Thus, when they are ready, someone is in contact and there to help and guide them in starting their journey, with the centre and its resources there to provide support and other needs. Still others feed and clothe the homeless. The centre would provide co-ordination with these people and groups to ensure that we maximize the benefits to the homeless from the food, bedding and clothing provided. The centre would also be reaching out to others to fill the gaps of the unmet needs
.It may be ambitious but … the Churches, the volunteers, the business community and the citizens of Abbotsford on board and get them involved, we can accomplish this. In addition, with the community solidly involved we can draw in the city, provincial and federal governments to do their part in addressing these needs.It may not be easy; it may not be smooth or neat and tidy.
It will require and demand vision, hard work, passion and stubbornness – but it can be done.
“What do we need?” is a question often posed to me. With all that is needed to begin to address the many facets of the homeless question it can be hard, especially with the complications and massive needs that are a result of neglect and/or thoughtlessly actions or inactions, to decide where to start. These days I feel there is one item that stands out because it has the promise to save lives if we can act quickly enough.
The final touches are being put on the official Abbotsford strategy for extreme weather. Truly nice to see a positive step forward in a timely fashion without hemming and hawing or a list of reasons why not. Although the project I want to get off the ground may not cause hemming and hawing it will cause screaming, massive lists of “Why nots”, NIMBY’s, and have politics rearing its ugly head. An extreme weather plan is needed, but weather conditions that are not deemed extreme can still, in our wet, rainy climate pose significant threats to health and even life.
I was homeless last winter, living through day after day of often torrential rain. Even with my car, which was a water proof shelter, the rain and wet were hard to deal with. For those without such a waterproof haven the weather was a threat. I had someone come up to me and say thank you for Street Hope. I was not an official volunteer but since I was depending on them for a warm place, hot coffee and food, and since I was capable I pitched in to help where needed. This would explain his mistake and it was simpler to accept the thanks and pass it along to Dave and his dedicated band. The point was the having finished treatment and living sober he felt he needed to express his thanks because he felt that having a place for drying out, to get dry clothes, hot coffee and food was why he was alive to become sober. He was not the first person I had heard express this belief, that someone’s life was saved due to being able to drop in. Unfortunately Street Hope was judged undesirable and the people who depended on it “expendable”. In the words of the businessman Scrooge “Let them die and reduce the surplus population”. It seems likely the scrooges of the downtown Abbotsford would include “just don’t die on my doorstep and create a nuisance”.
So a open drop-in has made its way to the top of my list as it has not only the potential to save lives but its potential to provide other much needed services. It would not be open 24 hours a day, but its hours would be long and extended to cover the hours other places of help and refuge are closed. It also needs to be tasked with working with its neighbours to address problems – just as the neighbours would be tasked with doing their part in problem solving. So here are some of my ideas. Just remember that in keeping with my views on the homeless situation I do not view this as a bible but as a starting place. Anything you undertake has to be flexible, open to trying new ideas, open to community ideas and definitely not written in stone. So, this is a framework for getting off our butts and making a start. For as I have already quoted Yoda: Try not. Do or Do Not. There is no Try”. We need to stop hiding behind “try or trying to” and Do.
I want to open the Locus of Dawn. A drop-in centre for the homeless, the poor, the lonely, those in need of help and the volunteer. The mission statement of the centre is in its name:
*Locus*: n. 1: a locality; a place; 2: A center or focus of great activity or intense concentration 3: The set or configuration of all points that satisfy specific conditions. *Dawn*: n. 1: a first appearance; a beginning; or as a verb v. 1: become clear or enter one's consciousness or emotions; 2: To begin to be perceived or understood;
For some it will be a place for people to come to begin their journey. These journeys could be to goals such as housing, employment or addiction treatment. For some it will be a place for it to enter their minds, and for it to become clear, that they need to make some changes. For the community and others involved, it is a place to begin to perceive and understand all the facets of homelessness, poverty and addiction. It will provide a focus for the great many activities needed to begin to help people move from homeless to employment and back into society. The concentration will be on its particular mission – the homeless are to be its single-minded focus and its concentration to be on addressing the needs of the homeless community. But it will be open to all those who have a need that the centre can meet as part of its daily services provided to the homeless community, welcoming all as long as it does not detract from the mission to meet the needs of the homeless. The centre needs to have a varied set (or configuration) of points (services, knowledge, contacts, et al) satisfying specific conditions (for each differing destination).
What do I envision this centre providing? *** (Subject to revision without notice to incorporate any good ideas and suggestions). 1) Coffee; a location for church groups who wish to serve food (lunches or evenings); to ensure that a supper of some sort is available daily; a place to collect and distribute clothing, bedding, etc. a place that interested groups can use to distribute to the homeless and poormail boxes, telephones for phone access, industrial washers and dryers, shower facilities, washrooms, storage lockers, computer access, internet access, email addresses and access. 2) Résumés, cover letters, job hunting help and support, dressing & grooming for job hunting and interviews, liaising with the business community to build bridges and a portfolio of work available, job referralsliaison and or out reach point for services available from governments, churches, community services, treatment facilities, recovery houses, addiction counselinga coordinating point among all the stakeholders, mediation between various stakeholders, recruiting of groups to provide goods, services, food, support and volunteers 3) leadership and advocacy on questions, problems, ideas and on issues in conflict, housing issues: desperate need for longer-term shelter beds; transitional housing; subsidized housing; BC housing issues liveable social assistance levels - $850.00; lobbying local MLAs John van Dongen and Mike de Jong on assistance levels, grants and funding for programs to address the needs to reduce homelessness. working with our local MP Ed Fast to secure federal funding not just on the homeless issues but from funds for issues affecting the homeless such as employment, education, training, wage subsidies out reach to those who cannot seek out services, employment, housing, medical treatment, mental health help etc. on their own.
This is only a beginning list of services and goals because it is my intention the centre always be a work-in-progress. That it be constantly experimenting, adjusting, adding and (were necessary) dropping offerings, always changing always flexible. Part of the centre’s gestalt would be that it will show leadership on other pressing needs such as the need for a longer-term shelter, more 2nd stage housing modeled on the Supported Independent or for reform of the provincial social ‘assistance’ system.
Based upon my own up close and personal experiences it is my opinion that a centre of this type is the most effective and efficient way to begin to address the many varied needs of the (extremely varied) homeless community. It will provide a focal point to co-ordinate and facilitate services. In the course of being homeless I have come into contact with many good people. To some of them it would provide an ideal job, their skills, education, experiences and personalities making them suitable to help accomplish the centre’s goals. For others the centre would be an anchor point for them to fan out from in reaching out to those on the streets not yet ready to come to the centre and start their journey off of the streets. Thus, when they are ready, someone is in contact and there to help and guide them in starting their journey, with the centre and its resources there to provide support and other needs. Still others feed and clothe the homeless. The centre would provide co-ordination with these people and groups to ensure that we maximize the benefits to the homeless from the food, bedding and clothing provided. The centre would also be reaching out to others to fill the gaps of the unmet needs
.It may be ambitious but … the Churches, the volunteers, the business community and the citizens of Abbotsford on board and get them involved, we can accomplish this. In addition, with the community solidly involved we can draw in the city, provincial and federal governments to do their part in addressing these needs.It may not be easy; it may not be smooth or neat and tidy.
It will require and demand vision, hard work, passion and stubbornness – but it can be done.
Fringe Festival
With apologies to Ms Gwynne Hunt I did not realize we had a Fringe Festival in Abbotsford. But then, when we did not have the Post to provide a forum for different voices within the twin communities, we ended up far to often without any reporting of out of the ordinary happenings and so you end up with “…the greatest kept theatre secret in Abbotsford”. For some reason the idea of a Fringe Festival has a great deal of interest to those of us whom inhabit the fringe. Even more appealing is the concept of participation in the Fringe by the fringe. I envision the homelessinabbotsford.com Players presenting a new and original one act play: our story opens on a council chamber where a council meeting is in progress…. With the current setting for the fringe there seems a certain synergy, not to mention justice and biting wit, in such a play presentation.
Our play opens. Standing at the supplicant’s podium before council a young woman laments “… the theatre arts have been set aside with vague promises. We were not asked…” Council members roar with laughter “ASK? You want us to ASK?” One councillor laughs so hard he falls out of his chair to the floor. “Why would we ask the actual users of facilities in the City what the City NEEDS? Next you would expect us to listen to the citizens. What then? Build the projects that are needed and would be well used by groups and people within the city? HA! Business as usual? Old boy’s network? Vested interests? You obviously do not understand, how we do things the Abbotsford Way and pay no attention to common sense. I suppose you think planning is a good idea. What then? Stop chasing the homeless around, show some leadership and address the problems associated with homelessness?”
“That young lady would start us down the slippery slope to rational action and abandoning our old unsuccessful, inadequate and feeble ways of thinking and running Abbotsford. Start doing that and people will come to expect you to act and solve challenges. We couldn’t have that.”
I have often wondered why the City does not ask the current users of facilities in the city, and any projected end users, what they think the City’s needs are vis-à-vis current and future facilities. I have concluded that if they do not ask they do not get answers they do not want. Thus the City can proceed willy-nilly in whatever manner they feel like, without being burdened by any common sense or planning.
With Ms Hunt having brought it to my attention I must admit that upon consideration I have a lot of questions about the decision to build a fancy museum slash art gallery as a single $10 million dissipation of money for the Arts in Abbotsford. If the City wishes to truly become the city it likes to believe it is then it needs to consider the importance of a lively performing arts scene to a city’s cultural life. I for one would really like to hear an explanation of why there was no public discussion or debate about building venues for live performances by a wide range of groups in Abbotsford?
Better yet, why was it that city staff and city council were the ones to get to decide, behind closed doors, without wide public input and discussion? Does it not seem sensible to ask those who use the facilities or to get ideas from the broadest possible spectrum of the various sub-communities such as the Arts? What was I thinking? We are speaking of Abbotsford, I should know better than to expect them to ask anything of those who pay the bills, much less make thoughtful, careful, rational and at least semi-intelligent decisions – about anything.
Upon hearing of the decision to waste $55 million on the (hopefully soon to be resoundingly NOed!) proposed boondoggle my first thought was I had not known the Canucks were moving out of Vancouver and relocating to Abbotsford. What else could explain building such an extravagant palace? Otherwise, ignoring the pie-in-the-sky maybes, you are building a white elephant with burdensome operating and upkeep costs that is at this time and in the foreseeable future not what is needed on the recreation front to serve the needs of the users of the facilities. I say “the needs of the users” because that is how we should be deciding what we need to design and build – NOT the egos or wishes of councillors and city staff.
What can be said about the arrogance of acquiring the land before the people even get a chance to express their opinion? This is typical behaviour for council and the City ignoring reality, not addressing pressing issues and needs, failing to consult and LISTEN to the people who use city facilities. Worse they fail to consult and listen to the citizens and groups within the city about what is needed to nurture arts, culture, sports, and recreation in OUR (not the council or city staff’s private kingdom) City.
By the way, is this being built for use by the citizens of Abbotsford or is it a ‘gift’ being built for the fairly exclusive use and benefit of UCFV? If it is for the city why build in that out of the way location? It seems to me that if UCFV is to be a major beneficiary of this structure they should be making a significant capital contribution – at the very least. If UCFV needs this type of facility to further its pursuit of University status and to benefit its sports programs and teams it should be building said structure itself. That way the funds could be directed to building structures to meet the current and future needs of the Citizens, the people paying for them.
The council and staff are touting illusionary uses and benefits. Here is a project, costing considerably less than $55 million, that would have many benefits for the city and citizens – add a 50 meter competition worthy pool to the ARC upgrade. We have two swim clubs in town, one of whom the City owes. The Whalers raised money to upgrade facilities at Centennial outdoor pool on the understanding of upgrades to the pool tank. The Whalers kept their potion of the understanding. A highly successful well established swim club, a new swim club based at MRC (which is OK only as a make-do location) and the city lacks a venue for them to hold swim meets. Did you enjoy the BC summer games a few years ago? Well, you will not be seeing any other competitions of that nature without an adequate swimming competition venue. So say goodbye to all the economic, press and tourist fallout from that or similar competitions. Oh, lest I forget, what about the high school swim teams? Not to mention the advantages for the regular length swimmers in particular and general public access in general of a well thought out, flexible and well designed pool facility. It also seems to me to be sensible to design and build both the pool and recreation additions together to allow you to plan in order to achieve the maximum benefit to other groups within the community, such as meeting rooms.
The original legacy plan was to total $83 million but was ambitious and proposed to meet a wide variety of the City’s capital needs and died in main part because the council and staff made it an all-or-nothing choice. Apparently it would have been to close to consulting the citizens for their opinion on the needs and wants of the community to have allowed the citizens to vote on all the proposed capital projects. The current $85 million dollar proposal continues their abysmal record of failing to ask the citizens and interested groups and parties what the City really NEEDS. We went from $83 million for a wide variety of capital projects to a $2 million more costly $85 million dollar plan for three projects – two unneeded palaces and the useful and user friendly ARC expansion (assuming proper thought and design). More money, less bang for our buck - which seems to be some kind of “law of the universe” about government project spending.
Want a radical but very beneficial idea? Turn the entire city into a WI-FI area network. The City, fire and police get marvellous communications and the citizens all gain access to the internet on a more affordable basis. Internet providers will scream, to the undoubted delight of frustrated customers, but who cares. The best side benefit is to those who cannot afford monthly internet charges in a world where access to the internet is becoming more and more required. We have programs to recycle older computers to those lacking the money because they are a needed tool. For a small capital upgrade we could, under this proposal provide them with access to the World Wide Web.
Finally: the increase in costs, before the large cost over runs one gets with these projects, raises questions of timing. We currently have an over-heated construction market which we know will be adjusting itself when the massive building associated with the Olympics ends. This should begin to occur before the Olympics as the numerous projects are completed, freeing up construction capacity that will be looking for something to build, even at reduced prices. It would seem that instead of wasting even more money on a referendum beating the dead horses of Palaces housing art gallery, museum and arena we could better use the funds to actually consult the Community as to its wants and needs. Depending on the effect this would have on the one good idea proposed in the expansion of ARC.
What is really needed is to get out and really consult the community, citizens and community groups to determine what their needs and wants are. We can then evaluate these wants and needs to determine demand and priorities. With the input of the people who will be using the facilities we could plan and design facilities that meet the end users needs as opposed to the current wing it, start building it and develop plans as you go along building practices of the City. This way Ms Gwynne Hunt and all the other often ignored and frustrated interested parties would have a chance to be heard and to provide input into the decision process. A process that needs to be conducted in an open and transparent manner rather than “business as usual” with decisions made by Staff and Council behind closed doors and the public’s backs. Yes this would cause some delay, which in this case is beneficial as it would move construction out of the stratosphere of the building boom into the bang for the buck region of the post-boom era. Now there is a new concept for council and staff, fiscal responsible behaviour.
Perhaps this time around we can get an open-minded examination of the proposals, contrasted with what would best serve the needs of citizens not the usual vested or hidden interests. I have hope of the possibility of this occurring since there now exists a forum for addressing these issues as opposes to the old “cheering sections” that always supported and avoided opposing views the time and again lame-brained practices and actions of the City. Viva the Post and revolutionary, thoughtful, responsible behaviour by and on behalf of the citizens of Abbotsford.
With apologies to Ms Gwynne Hunt I did not realize we had a Fringe Festival in Abbotsford. But then, when we did not have the Post to provide a forum for different voices within the twin communities, we ended up far to often without any reporting of out of the ordinary happenings and so you end up with “…the greatest kept theatre secret in Abbotsford”. For some reason the idea of a Fringe Festival has a great deal of interest to those of us whom inhabit the fringe. Even more appealing is the concept of participation in the Fringe by the fringe. I envision the homelessinabbotsford.com Players presenting a new and original one act play: our story opens on a council chamber where a council meeting is in progress…. With the current setting for the fringe there seems a certain synergy, not to mention justice and biting wit, in such a play presentation.
Our play opens. Standing at the supplicant’s podium before council a young woman laments “… the theatre arts have been set aside with vague promises. We were not asked…” Council members roar with laughter “ASK? You want us to ASK?” One councillor laughs so hard he falls out of his chair to the floor. “Why would we ask the actual users of facilities in the City what the City NEEDS? Next you would expect us to listen to the citizens. What then? Build the projects that are needed and would be well used by groups and people within the city? HA! Business as usual? Old boy’s network? Vested interests? You obviously do not understand, how we do things the Abbotsford Way and pay no attention to common sense. I suppose you think planning is a good idea. What then? Stop chasing the homeless around, show some leadership and address the problems associated with homelessness?”
“That young lady would start us down the slippery slope to rational action and abandoning our old unsuccessful, inadequate and feeble ways of thinking and running Abbotsford. Start doing that and people will come to expect you to act and solve challenges. We couldn’t have that.”
I have often wondered why the City does not ask the current users of facilities in the city, and any projected end users, what they think the City’s needs are vis-à-vis current and future facilities. I have concluded that if they do not ask they do not get answers they do not want. Thus the City can proceed willy-nilly in whatever manner they feel like, without being burdened by any common sense or planning.
With Ms Hunt having brought it to my attention I must admit that upon consideration I have a lot of questions about the decision to build a fancy museum slash art gallery as a single $10 million dissipation of money for the Arts in Abbotsford. If the City wishes to truly become the city it likes to believe it is then it needs to consider the importance of a lively performing arts scene to a city’s cultural life. I for one would really like to hear an explanation of why there was no public discussion or debate about building venues for live performances by a wide range of groups in Abbotsford?
Better yet, why was it that city staff and city council were the ones to get to decide, behind closed doors, without wide public input and discussion? Does it not seem sensible to ask those who use the facilities or to get ideas from the broadest possible spectrum of the various sub-communities such as the Arts? What was I thinking? We are speaking of Abbotsford, I should know better than to expect them to ask anything of those who pay the bills, much less make thoughtful, careful, rational and at least semi-intelligent decisions – about anything.
Upon hearing of the decision to waste $55 million on the (hopefully soon to be resoundingly NOed!) proposed boondoggle my first thought was I had not known the Canucks were moving out of Vancouver and relocating to Abbotsford. What else could explain building such an extravagant palace? Otherwise, ignoring the pie-in-the-sky maybes, you are building a white elephant with burdensome operating and upkeep costs that is at this time and in the foreseeable future not what is needed on the recreation front to serve the needs of the users of the facilities. I say “the needs of the users” because that is how we should be deciding what we need to design and build – NOT the egos or wishes of councillors and city staff.
What can be said about the arrogance of acquiring the land before the people even get a chance to express their opinion? This is typical behaviour for council and the City ignoring reality, not addressing pressing issues and needs, failing to consult and LISTEN to the people who use city facilities. Worse they fail to consult and listen to the citizens and groups within the city about what is needed to nurture arts, culture, sports, and recreation in OUR (not the council or city staff’s private kingdom) City.
By the way, is this being built for use by the citizens of Abbotsford or is it a ‘gift’ being built for the fairly exclusive use and benefit of UCFV? If it is for the city why build in that out of the way location? It seems to me that if UCFV is to be a major beneficiary of this structure they should be making a significant capital contribution – at the very least. If UCFV needs this type of facility to further its pursuit of University status and to benefit its sports programs and teams it should be building said structure itself. That way the funds could be directed to building structures to meet the current and future needs of the Citizens, the people paying for them.
The council and staff are touting illusionary uses and benefits. Here is a project, costing considerably less than $55 million, that would have many benefits for the city and citizens – add a 50 meter competition worthy pool to the ARC upgrade. We have two swim clubs in town, one of whom the City owes. The Whalers raised money to upgrade facilities at Centennial outdoor pool on the understanding of upgrades to the pool tank. The Whalers kept their potion of the understanding. A highly successful well established swim club, a new swim club based at MRC (which is OK only as a make-do location) and the city lacks a venue for them to hold swim meets. Did you enjoy the BC summer games a few years ago? Well, you will not be seeing any other competitions of that nature without an adequate swimming competition venue. So say goodbye to all the economic, press and tourist fallout from that or similar competitions. Oh, lest I forget, what about the high school swim teams? Not to mention the advantages for the regular length swimmers in particular and general public access in general of a well thought out, flexible and well designed pool facility. It also seems to me to be sensible to design and build both the pool and recreation additions together to allow you to plan in order to achieve the maximum benefit to other groups within the community, such as meeting rooms.
The original legacy plan was to total $83 million but was ambitious and proposed to meet a wide variety of the City’s capital needs and died in main part because the council and staff made it an all-or-nothing choice. Apparently it would have been to close to consulting the citizens for their opinion on the needs and wants of the community to have allowed the citizens to vote on all the proposed capital projects. The current $85 million dollar proposal continues their abysmal record of failing to ask the citizens and interested groups and parties what the City really NEEDS. We went from $83 million for a wide variety of capital projects to a $2 million more costly $85 million dollar plan for three projects – two unneeded palaces and the useful and user friendly ARC expansion (assuming proper thought and design). More money, less bang for our buck - which seems to be some kind of “law of the universe” about government project spending.
Want a radical but very beneficial idea? Turn the entire city into a WI-FI area network. The City, fire and police get marvellous communications and the citizens all gain access to the internet on a more affordable basis. Internet providers will scream, to the undoubted delight of frustrated customers, but who cares. The best side benefit is to those who cannot afford monthly internet charges in a world where access to the internet is becoming more and more required. We have programs to recycle older computers to those lacking the money because they are a needed tool. For a small capital upgrade we could, under this proposal provide them with access to the World Wide Web.
Finally: the increase in costs, before the large cost over runs one gets with these projects, raises questions of timing. We currently have an over-heated construction market which we know will be adjusting itself when the massive building associated with the Olympics ends. This should begin to occur before the Olympics as the numerous projects are completed, freeing up construction capacity that will be looking for something to build, even at reduced prices. It would seem that instead of wasting even more money on a referendum beating the dead horses of Palaces housing art gallery, museum and arena we could better use the funds to actually consult the Community as to its wants and needs. Depending on the effect this would have on the one good idea proposed in the expansion of ARC.
What is really needed is to get out and really consult the community, citizens and community groups to determine what their needs and wants are. We can then evaluate these wants and needs to determine demand and priorities. With the input of the people who will be using the facilities we could plan and design facilities that meet the end users needs as opposed to the current wing it, start building it and develop plans as you go along building practices of the City. This way Ms Gwynne Hunt and all the other often ignored and frustrated interested parties would have a chance to be heard and to provide input into the decision process. A process that needs to be conducted in an open and transparent manner rather than “business as usual” with decisions made by Staff and Council behind closed doors and the public’s backs. Yes this would cause some delay, which in this case is beneficial as it would move construction out of the stratosphere of the building boom into the bang for the buck region of the post-boom era. Now there is a new concept for council and staff, fiscal responsible behaviour.
Perhaps this time around we can get an open-minded examination of the proposals, contrasted with what would best serve the needs of citizens not the usual vested or hidden interests. I have hope of the possibility of this occurring since there now exists a forum for addressing these issues as opposes to the old “cheering sections” that always supported and avoided opposing views the time and again lame-brained practices and actions of the City. Viva the Post and revolutionary, thoughtful, responsible behaviour by and on behalf of the citizens of Abbotsford.
If this is what Black Press's BC reporter passesoff as thinking -
it is no wonder others consider BC lala land
I wish I could say my first thought upon seeing the title of Tom Fletcher’s “Discerning bums prefer ocean view” was that he was talking about the type of “bum” who would accept payment for writing trite, cliqued trivial nonsense just to meet the mortgage payment on his ocean view home. But I would be lying since it was clear that this was going to be another thoughtless rant about complex social issues. Reading this foolishness, as I did right after reading the News “Our View” on the same page, I did think that the employees of Black Press might want to insist on an environment study. Brain damage due to hazardous environmental contaminants seems a most plausible explanation for the lack of brain function inherent in both demonstrations of an inability to reason.
Given the closeness to Abbotsford and the people travelling between the two communities, perhaps the reason that nobody wanted to accept the offer of work is that they heard what happened with a similar offer made in Abbotsford. In this case the homeless accepted the promise of employment and the opportunity to move forward with their lives. As soon as the media spotlight moved on this “plenty of work” suddenly disappeared and the workers found themselves not only homeless but in many ways worse off than before they accepted “work”. Had they said “No” to the offer of work fingers would point and tongues wag about them not wanting to work, but where was/is all that moral indignation when the employer fails to keep his commitment?
Having spent long months living outside, due to circumstances beyond my control, I got lots of fresh air and retain my ability to cogitate. Which means that I am not foolish enough to see only black or white in what is a complex, many faceted situation made immensely more convoluted because it is, at its very core, a people problem. Of course some homeless do not want to work. On the other hand I, and I am sure many readers, have known people whose only “ability” was to be able to get paid for doing nothing (or at least nothing useful) on the job. There are those who defraud the Health Care system. Would it be sensible to address the problem of fraud by shutting down Medicare? While this approach would certainly stop all fraud, it would condemn all those others who do not abuse the system but seek only help in getting well to continue suffering. In the same manner I find it maddening, frustrating and disingenuous – not to mention totally lacking in any sense or compassion – to use the “bad apples” to condemn everyone else to continued depravations.
Mr. Fletcher so easily holds forth that some homeless would not accept housing even if it was available, with wilful blindness ignoring just how wrenching a transition this change is. Even being motivated and full of desire to begin the transition from living in my car it was most challenging to hang in and get used to being inside. Confined, jailed, walls closing in, on the verge of panic attacks – all of these were feelings I had to deal with. To a certain degree it was only stubbornness (an attribute I am noted for, although not always in a complimentary fashion) that drove me to hang in there. What truly allowed/helped me to make this gruelling adjustment was that I was participating in an 8 week psychiatric out-patient program during this time. Been there, done that and it was torturous – not some easily accomplished task.
Ah yes, Mr. Pakarinen. As those who know the views, approaches and behaviours of both of us, including Kerry himself, could tell you - I have serious philosophical and methodological differences with Mr. Pakarinen. Unfortunately it has become apparent that in order to get the media, and more importantly the citizens of our communities, province and the country itself to actually - well more accurately hopefully actually think with careful consideration about these full of twists and turns, interrelated and thorny matters you need to get the citizens and journalists attention. Since both these groups seem to approach any issue that actually involves careful thought and rational action with all the willingness of a jackass learning something new, the only approach that seems to hold any promise for a useful dialogue is the same approach one would employ in teaching a jackass something new. First you get a two by four, then you drive the jackass right between the eyes with the two by four to get its attention, then you proceed with the lesson. While, as said I have serious differences with Mr. Pakarinen he does function well as a two by four for the media and public.
Complex, byzantine, no nice neat easy answers, requiring long term commitment. All these statements are true. One of the biggest barriers to public understanding is that the only true way to begin to fully get an appreciation for this mess is to journey through it. Being in the process of the journey myself, I would not wish such a learning experience on anyone – including those who so blithely pontificate on the matter.
it is no wonder others consider BC lala land
I wish I could say my first thought upon seeing the title of Tom Fletcher’s “Discerning bums prefer ocean view” was that he was talking about the type of “bum” who would accept payment for writing trite, cliqued trivial nonsense just to meet the mortgage payment on his ocean view home. But I would be lying since it was clear that this was going to be another thoughtless rant about complex social issues. Reading this foolishness, as I did right after reading the News “Our View” on the same page, I did think that the employees of Black Press might want to insist on an environment study. Brain damage due to hazardous environmental contaminants seems a most plausible explanation for the lack of brain function inherent in both demonstrations of an inability to reason.
Given the closeness to Abbotsford and the people travelling between the two communities, perhaps the reason that nobody wanted to accept the offer of work is that they heard what happened with a similar offer made in Abbotsford. In this case the homeless accepted the promise of employment and the opportunity to move forward with their lives. As soon as the media spotlight moved on this “plenty of work” suddenly disappeared and the workers found themselves not only homeless but in many ways worse off than before they accepted “work”. Had they said “No” to the offer of work fingers would point and tongues wag about them not wanting to work, but where was/is all that moral indignation when the employer fails to keep his commitment?
Having spent long months living outside, due to circumstances beyond my control, I got lots of fresh air and retain my ability to cogitate. Which means that I am not foolish enough to see only black or white in what is a complex, many faceted situation made immensely more convoluted because it is, at its very core, a people problem. Of course some homeless do not want to work. On the other hand I, and I am sure many readers, have known people whose only “ability” was to be able to get paid for doing nothing (or at least nothing useful) on the job. There are those who defraud the Health Care system. Would it be sensible to address the problem of fraud by shutting down Medicare? While this approach would certainly stop all fraud, it would condemn all those others who do not abuse the system but seek only help in getting well to continue suffering. In the same manner I find it maddening, frustrating and disingenuous – not to mention totally lacking in any sense or compassion – to use the “bad apples” to condemn everyone else to continued depravations.
Mr. Fletcher so easily holds forth that some homeless would not accept housing even if it was available, with wilful blindness ignoring just how wrenching a transition this change is. Even being motivated and full of desire to begin the transition from living in my car it was most challenging to hang in and get used to being inside. Confined, jailed, walls closing in, on the verge of panic attacks – all of these were feelings I had to deal with. To a certain degree it was only stubbornness (an attribute I am noted for, although not always in a complimentary fashion) that drove me to hang in there. What truly allowed/helped me to make this gruelling adjustment was that I was participating in an 8 week psychiatric out-patient program during this time. Been there, done that and it was torturous – not some easily accomplished task.
Ah yes, Mr. Pakarinen. As those who know the views, approaches and behaviours of both of us, including Kerry himself, could tell you - I have serious philosophical and methodological differences with Mr. Pakarinen. Unfortunately it has become apparent that in order to get the media, and more importantly the citizens of our communities, province and the country itself to actually - well more accurately hopefully actually think with careful consideration about these full of twists and turns, interrelated and thorny matters you need to get the citizens and journalists attention. Since both these groups seem to approach any issue that actually involves careful thought and rational action with all the willingness of a jackass learning something new, the only approach that seems to hold any promise for a useful dialogue is the same approach one would employ in teaching a jackass something new. First you get a two by four, then you drive the jackass right between the eyes with the two by four to get its attention, then you proceed with the lesson. While, as said I have serious differences with Mr. Pakarinen he does function well as a two by four for the media and public.
Complex, byzantine, no nice neat easy answers, requiring long term commitment. All these statements are true. One of the biggest barriers to public understanding is that the only true way to begin to fully get an appreciation for this mess is to journey through it. Being in the process of the journey myself, I would not wish such a learning experience on anyone – including those who so blithely pontificate on the matter.
Conflict of Needs
I was talking to an acquaintance of mine as we wolfed down Sunday lunch served by some practicing Christians. Steve is bright and articulate, giving voice to the dilemma he was facing. He had a job that was to begin on Monday, but as you would expect it would be three weeks before his first paycheque. Steve was depending on the Salvation Army for his food, but would be unable to get to the Salvation Army when (if) he started work. Without some source of food Steve was looking forward to starving 5 workdays a week, which could also have a significant effect on how he performed his job.
So what would you do? It is much easier to say Steve should go hungry than it is to do it oneself. Hunger, another barrier to employment, and one that is easy to solve. Unfortunately the provincial Liberals are into paying lip service to the idea of getting the homeless and poor to work, not to actually doing anything to help them back into the workforce.
I was talking to an acquaintance of mine as we wolfed down Sunday lunch served by some practicing Christians. Steve is bright and articulate, giving voice to the dilemma he was facing. He had a job that was to begin on Monday, but as you would expect it would be three weeks before his first paycheque. Steve was depending on the Salvation Army for his food, but would be unable to get to the Salvation Army when (if) he started work. Without some source of food Steve was looking forward to starving 5 workdays a week, which could also have a significant effect on how he performed his job.
So what would you do? It is much easier to say Steve should go hungry than it is to do it oneself. Hunger, another barrier to employment, and one that is easy to solve. Unfortunately the provincial Liberals are into paying lip service to the idea of getting the homeless and poor to work, not to actually doing anything to help them back into the workforce.
Re: Recovery Houses
Good story on this issue. It is great to see the Post, as a local paper, continuing to show its readers the many pieces of the puzzle that are involved in homelessness and drug use. With the increases in these groups forcing them to the forefront of public attention, it is vital that the public be given a full rounded view of the scope and issues involved. Without understanding the reality of the actual conditions that exist, any decisions made will fail to bring about positive changes. The refusal to see reality when setting policies is what resulted in the current growing problems we face. We need to make choices that will have positive results in helping the people branded as either homeless bums or druggies in getting back their lives and all of us together in building stronger, more vibrant communities.
To have any real chance of working recovery must be a choice made by the addict, it cannot be imposed from outside. Addiction is powerful, with a strong grip on its victims, which means that any delay in getting the addict into treatment allows the addiction to re-establish its grip and pull the person back into their addiction. I have seen to many instances where delay has granted the addiction time to do just that. I do not think one can over stress just how important it is for those in need of treatment to be able to get help NOW.
People need to work hard to see what the real situation is, since it is so tempting and easy to see what we want to see or base decision on what we think should be. Then reality bites our …butts and we end up creating some other nasty mess(es). One of the goals that citizens and the City want to achieve in addressing the question of recovery houses is to keep the “good” and close down/reform the “bad”. My first impulse when this is discussed is YES!, we need to weed out the “bad” houses. Which would make me as guilty of ignoring reality as I chastise the public, City and government for being. I was reminded this week, in one of those twists of fate the universe likes to get our attention with, that those recovery houses oft called or considered bad serve a very necessary purpose. The day before the City held a meeting to address the question of recovery homes I was in a conversation with someone on the front lines of the homeless situation in Surrey. During the conversation the existence of “bad” recovery homes came up and it was pointed out just how necessary a part they play in addressing the needs of the homeless and drug users. Arrrgggh. I thus find myself in the unpleasant and decidedly uncomfortable position of having to argue that, as much as we all might like to, we cannot blindly go around closing recovery houses without first putting in place the needed resources to replace the vital function they serve.
Yes, some of the “bad” recovery houses are no more than flop houses for drug users. The problem with just running around closing them or forcing them to only deal with those who are ready to start or are in recovery is what happens to all the residents who are not ready – yet – for recovery. Remember the closing of the Fraser Valley Inn? The View from the Streets by the homeless of this event was very different than that of those snug in their homes. Closing down the Inn created 20 homeless people as only a couple of the people who had been living in the Inn found someplace else to shelter. Some of them had been living in the woods on Sumas Way for months before it became know as Compassion Park. It is a year later and some of them are, shamefully, still on the streets today. I say shamefully as the City, as our representatives, thoughtlessly threw these people onto the streets effectively saying to them “tough luck; to bad; you’re not worth our consideration or help”.
Yes there were many problems with the Inn, as there are problems with some recovery houses. I am not saying you should not want to close the substandard among them. I am saying you cannot close them until you have available alternatives for housing and services. Closing the Inn did not solve anything; it merely spread the people and problems around the city, in reality making them harder to deal with. Until such time as we have invested in the resources required to deliver support to these people, our fellow human beings and citizens, we need all the housing spots for them that we have. Faced with the same situation the more rational and caring of our neighbouring cities have chosen to work with those houses considered to be undesirable in order to minimize any problems and to maximize the help rendered to their residents.
One fairly small piece of the puzzle and what do we have? A complex reality that denies simple solutions and denies us the right to go with our impulses, even if they embody good intentions, because of the harm they would cause the very people we would claim to be helping. One of the prices our society must pay for having swept this under the rug until it became a problem to large to ignore, is that we are playing catch up. Sometimes we are just going to have to live with aspects of the problems until the resources are marshalled and in place to properly address the situation. Such is the current situation with recovery houses. We will have to live with compromises in the immediate future, while working on longer term strategies and supportive resources. Or live with the fallout from dumping 100+ more homeless, all at once, onto the streets.
Good story on this issue. It is great to see the Post, as a local paper, continuing to show its readers the many pieces of the puzzle that are involved in homelessness and drug use. With the increases in these groups forcing them to the forefront of public attention, it is vital that the public be given a full rounded view of the scope and issues involved. Without understanding the reality of the actual conditions that exist, any decisions made will fail to bring about positive changes. The refusal to see reality when setting policies is what resulted in the current growing problems we face. We need to make choices that will have positive results in helping the people branded as either homeless bums or druggies in getting back their lives and all of us together in building stronger, more vibrant communities.
To have any real chance of working recovery must be a choice made by the addict, it cannot be imposed from outside. Addiction is powerful, with a strong grip on its victims, which means that any delay in getting the addict into treatment allows the addiction to re-establish its grip and pull the person back into their addiction. I have seen to many instances where delay has granted the addiction time to do just that. I do not think one can over stress just how important it is for those in need of treatment to be able to get help NOW.
People need to work hard to see what the real situation is, since it is so tempting and easy to see what we want to see or base decision on what we think should be. Then reality bites our …butts and we end up creating some other nasty mess(es). One of the goals that citizens and the City want to achieve in addressing the question of recovery houses is to keep the “good” and close down/reform the “bad”. My first impulse when this is discussed is YES!, we need to weed out the “bad” houses. Which would make me as guilty of ignoring reality as I chastise the public, City and government for being. I was reminded this week, in one of those twists of fate the universe likes to get our attention with, that those recovery houses oft called or considered bad serve a very necessary purpose. The day before the City held a meeting to address the question of recovery homes I was in a conversation with someone on the front lines of the homeless situation in Surrey. During the conversation the existence of “bad” recovery homes came up and it was pointed out just how necessary a part they play in addressing the needs of the homeless and drug users. Arrrgggh. I thus find myself in the unpleasant and decidedly uncomfortable position of having to argue that, as much as we all might like to, we cannot blindly go around closing recovery houses without first putting in place the needed resources to replace the vital function they serve.
Yes, some of the “bad” recovery houses are no more than flop houses for drug users. The problem with just running around closing them or forcing them to only deal with those who are ready to start or are in recovery is what happens to all the residents who are not ready – yet – for recovery. Remember the closing of the Fraser Valley Inn? The View from the Streets by the homeless of this event was very different than that of those snug in their homes. Closing down the Inn created 20 homeless people as only a couple of the people who had been living in the Inn found someplace else to shelter. Some of them had been living in the woods on Sumas Way for months before it became know as Compassion Park. It is a year later and some of them are, shamefully, still on the streets today. I say shamefully as the City, as our representatives, thoughtlessly threw these people onto the streets effectively saying to them “tough luck; to bad; you’re not worth our consideration or help”.
Yes there were many problems with the Inn, as there are problems with some recovery houses. I am not saying you should not want to close the substandard among them. I am saying you cannot close them until you have available alternatives for housing and services. Closing the Inn did not solve anything; it merely spread the people and problems around the city, in reality making them harder to deal with. Until such time as we have invested in the resources required to deliver support to these people, our fellow human beings and citizens, we need all the housing spots for them that we have. Faced with the same situation the more rational and caring of our neighbouring cities have chosen to work with those houses considered to be undesirable in order to minimize any problems and to maximize the help rendered to their residents.
One fairly small piece of the puzzle and what do we have? A complex reality that denies simple solutions and denies us the right to go with our impulses, even if they embody good intentions, because of the harm they would cause the very people we would claim to be helping. One of the prices our society must pay for having swept this under the rug until it became a problem to large to ignore, is that we are playing catch up. Sometimes we are just going to have to live with aspects of the problems until the resources are marshalled and in place to properly address the situation. Such is the current situation with recovery houses. We will have to live with compromises in the immediate future, while working on longer term strategies and supportive resources. Or live with the fallout from dumping 100+ more homeless, all at once, onto the streets.
My Linked Homeless Pages
Alternative Perspectives Views & News
Information & Reference
Lastest Posts
- Think. Think. Think. There are good reasons that ...
- Rules? What Rules? I was at a meeting focusing on...
- Budget Realities Establish Shelter Realities. I wa...
- Canadian Society Metaphorically Speaking
- From the 'We're Doomed File' Given that the defini...
- The Bare Facts December 15, 2011
- P3 - What's really going on? Participating in th...
- P3 - What's really going on?
- I draw your attention to how careful George Pear...
- Concerned about Council's P3 NOT Citizen's Pocketb...
Archives
- November 2005
- December 2005
- January 2006
- February 2006
- March 2006
- April 2006
- May 2006
- June 2006
- July 2006
- August 2006
- September 2006
- October 2006
- November 2006
- December 2006
- January 2007
- February 2007
- March 2007
- April 2007
- May 2007
- June 2007
- July 2007
- August 2007
- September 2007
- October 2007
- November 2007
- December 2007
- January 2008
- February 2008
- March 2008
- April 2008
- May 2008
- June 2008
- July 2008
- August 2008
- September 2008
- October 2008
- November 2008
- December 2008
- January 2009
- February 2009
- March 2009
- April 2009
- May 2009
- June 2009
- July 2009
- August 2009
- September 2009
- October 2009
- November 2009
- December 2009
- January 2010
- February 2010
- March 2010
- April 2010
- May 2010
- June 2010
- July 2010
- August 2010
- September 2010
- October 2010
- November 2010
- December 2010
- January 2011
- February 2011
- March 2011
- April 2011
- May 2011
- June 2011
- July 2011
- August 2011
- September 2011
- October 2011
- November 2011
- December 2011
- January 2012
- February 2012
ATOM 0.3