See more:
Anne Marie Batten,
Featured Writers,
Street News
Search Omemee Pigeon eFlyer
Custom Search
Saturday, December 24, 2011
Anne Marie Batten : Homes for the Holidays!
Anne Marie Battten,grew up in Downeyville, and works as a street nurse in Toronto, Ontario, ministering to the needs of the homeless,poverty stricken seniors, and the marginalised. In today's article, Anne Marie shares her Christmas wish with you. Anne
Marie Batten : Street News!
Homes for the Holidays
by Anne Marie Batten
Currently, on any night in the city of Toronto, there are people sleeping outside. City shelters are generally full. In our outreach volunteer meetings, stories are frequently shared about the lack of available beds. Fortunately, faith based communities have a program called 'Out of the Cold' that is generously run by volunteers. This is an excellent and much appreciated service where people are served a warm meal and sleep indoors usually in a church or meeting room. Each night of the week a different location is open to provide this service. As travel is involved though, this is a barrier for some who wish to access this service.
The 2012 Toronto city budget proposes severe cuts to shelter beds,and many tenants will be displaced by the Toronto Community Housing Corp. properties being put up for sale. Given this situation, we organized an 'Occupy Toronto Homes for the Holidays'.rally on Thursday December 15, 2011.
Did You Know Not All Children Qualify for Christmas Gifts?
We proposed the idea of bringing all those facing homelessness to Nathan Phillips Square to share a hot meal. All those who attended were asked to bring a pot luck item and a toy for children in need. At the same time, it was brought to my attention, that there were some children who could not qualify for the city-run Christmas Program. Many worked very hard with food preparation and set up. With the use of social media and 'Occupy Toronto' volunteers spreading pamphlets for many hours, our event was organized. We gathered in front of the gigantic Christmas Tree. Despite the rainy day, we received four tables of donated food and a warm lunch was served. We collected a generous donation of toys for children who could not receive city assistance.
Christmas Wish-A Home for the Holidays
We were fortunate to have a sound system donated for the event, and some who are experiencing homelessness, spoke about the need for housing and having to sleep outdoors. Some shared their experiences of trying to obtain a shelter bed, when none is available. One woman shared a poem with us. One man shared how he works day labour, yet still remains homeless.
We discussed that winter is coming, it was 10 days before Christmas and many wished for a 'Home for the Holiday'.
Shelters Over-Crowded,Yet Cuts Proposed
When it came my turn to speak, I discussed the meeting we had with the city, and how no extra shelter beds were opened for those evicted from St. James Park. I talked about shelter overcrowding, and proposed closing of three city shelters, and cuts to five more as well as the TCHC properties being put up for sale leaving tenants displaced. I spoke of how Canada is still the only G8 country without a national housing strategy.
Christmas –How many Will Freeze?
There were several media in attendance but unfortunately, we did not see much coverage of this event. Sadly, the holiday season is now here and the cold January weather is right around the corner. We continue to talk, we continue to advocate, hopefully we can keep people safe.
About Anne-Marie Batten:Anne Marie Batten,grew up in Downeyville-around here we know her as 'Joe O'Neil's daughter'. Have questions for Anne Marie? Read about Anne Marie's work, or Connect with Anne Marie Batten on Twitter @AnneMarieBatten, LinkedIn her blog Anne Marie Batten, or leave a comment below.We are pleased to feature Anne Marie's column Street News in Omemee Pigeon eFlyer.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment
TERMS OF USE
Those who post comments are accountable for the opinions they express, and the accuracy of the information they furnish. While we encourage writers to utilize this service on our site, we also strongly suggest they treat it as public forum where good taste counts. We reserve the right to decline for approval objectionable material from this site.
Writers that include profanity or personal attacks or other inappropriate comments - such as racist language, threats or comments unrelated to the story - will not be approved. Also, entries that are unsigned or signatures by someone other than the actual writer will not be approved.
While writers can still post anonymously, we strongly suggest that they do not do so.
Opinions, guidance and other information expressed in Omemee Pigeon eFlyer comments and by contributors to the Omemee Pigeon eFlyer, represent the individuals'; own views and are not necessarily those of the Omemee Pigeon eFlyer. The Omemee Pigeon eFlyer furnishes this type of forum and does not endorse and is not accountable for statements or advice from anyone other than an designated Omemee Pigeon eFlyer spokesperson.