That’s what all the speakers at Street Level seemed to say – and I agree!
As previously explained, Street Level is a conference of many organizations working with poverty and homelessness. A dozen other Siloam Mission staff members and I were in attendance and we each felt it was a great learning experience.
The theme was “A Legacy of Justice” and, amoung other things, a reoccurring idea was that in order for people to flourish we need a strong sense of community. Speakers included authors, pastors, directors, CEOs, professors, counsellors, musicians and political activists. Every single one of them stressed the importance of a strong and genuine community.
How can we expect people to change when they have no encouragement? How can we expect to succeed if we have no support? How can people feel important and valued when no one tells them they are?
Today, when we think of the word “community” we think about the area of town we live in and perhaps our neighbours that we hardly ever speak to. We often think of a physical space. Yet the idea of community is so much more.
Community is about people. It’s about interaction and working together. It’s about having others around you that you know you can count on when times are rough. Community is about sharing the good times and the bad times. It’s about care and support.
It’s ridiculous how far we’ve moved away from genuine and caring interaction. We’d rather send an e-mail than talk face to face, send a text message than give someone a call and watch a movie while sitting at home alone than grab a coffee and chat. We’d rather do it ourselves than ask for help, buy one of our own than share with someone else and hold on to everything instead of allowing others to benefit from something we have. We think we don’t have time to stop and help because we’ll be late for something and we refuse to risk relationships out of fear of being hurt or mistreated.
Why are there so many people experiencing homelessness in Canada? I think it’s largely because of our culture’s sense of individuality. Why are there so many who are lonely and suffering with depression? I think it’s definitely linked to the idea that we need to be self-reliant in every way. We need to start building stronger and more supportive genuine communities so that as people we can care for each other and work together. No one honestly wants to go it alone, so let’s stop pretending we can.
Sarah Enns
Community Education Coordinator and sj101 Coordinator
P.S. For an interesting take on the idea of community, read Shane Claiborne’s book, “Irresistible Revolution” or check out “the simple way” at http://www.thesimpleway.org/.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Thursday, April 2, 2009
The Man on the Bridge
Last week I attended an event in Ottawa called Street Level. Many organizations working with poverty and homelessness were represented at this conference and the goal was to come together to learn from each other, encourage each other and show our government that we still care about the issues. I feel fortunate to have gone.
I found myself being educated on a few different things while at the 4 day conference. I also found it to be an affirmation of the work we do at Siloam Mission. The major thing that seemed to keep popping up was how important real community is in life.
However, I don’t really want to talk about what I learned at the conference right now, I’ll do that later – and more than once I’m sure. What I want to mention at this point in time is something that wasn’t part of the conference at all. I want to tell you a bit about a man I met one afternoon as my husband and I were walking towards the parliament buildings; the man on the bridge.
It would have been easy to miss him; his clothing plain and his face weathered. He didn’t take up much space on the sidewalk as he quietly sat by his neatly displayed art work while sketching a drawing of the Rideau Canal. It was obvious that he didn’t have much and one would think he’d be pushy about it, but instead he patiently waited for others to notice him.
We stopped and chatted for a while. He told tales of travel, employment and loss. He spoke also of the rare passersby that take a moment to admire and possibly purchase one of his drawings. His tremendous talent was indisputable and yet, I found myself wondering if he really created the works of art or if this was all some elaborate scam. In a world that has taught us to be so skeptical, wouldn’t you wonder the same?
After deciding that this man did actually draw the pieces he had for sale and that it really didn’t matter whether he had or not anyway, my husband and I purchased one of the beautiful sketches of the parliament buildings. He cleared my skepticism further when he then offered a second drawing at no cost. He said that art is a way that people can connect and that artistic expression is a gift.
The man on the bridge was an inspiration to me. During our conversation he told us the true gift for him is not when people buy something but that it’s when people stop and talk with him. He said that the gift is when people take a moment out of their lives to notice him and engage with him as a human being.
His genuine longing for attention, his need for human care and his openness to others reminded me, as I often need to be reminded, that “the greatest of these is love”(1 Corinthians 13:13).
When you pass someone on the street, instead of ignoring them out of fear of the unknown, look at them, acknowledge them and perhaps, if it seems appropriate, stop and talk with them. They are people too and, like everyone, they just want to be noticed.
Sarah Enns
Community Education Coordinator and sj101 Coordinator
I found myself being educated on a few different things while at the 4 day conference. I also found it to be an affirmation of the work we do at Siloam Mission. The major thing that seemed to keep popping up was how important real community is in life.
However, I don’t really want to talk about what I learned at the conference right now, I’ll do that later – and more than once I’m sure. What I want to mention at this point in time is something that wasn’t part of the conference at all. I want to tell you a bit about a man I met one afternoon as my husband and I were walking towards the parliament buildings; the man on the bridge.
It would have been easy to miss him; his clothing plain and his face weathered. He didn’t take up much space on the sidewalk as he quietly sat by his neatly displayed art work while sketching a drawing of the Rideau Canal. It was obvious that he didn’t have much and one would think he’d be pushy about it, but instead he patiently waited for others to notice him.
We stopped and chatted for a while. He told tales of travel, employment and loss. He spoke also of the rare passersby that take a moment to admire and possibly purchase one of his drawings. His tremendous talent was indisputable and yet, I found myself wondering if he really created the works of art or if this was all some elaborate scam. In a world that has taught us to be so skeptical, wouldn’t you wonder the same?
After deciding that this man did actually draw the pieces he had for sale and that it really didn’t matter whether he had or not anyway, my husband and I purchased one of the beautiful sketches of the parliament buildings. He cleared my skepticism further when he then offered a second drawing at no cost. He said that art is a way that people can connect and that artistic expression is a gift.
The man on the bridge was an inspiration to me. During our conversation he told us the true gift for him is not when people buy something but that it’s when people stop and talk with him. He said that the gift is when people take a moment out of their lives to notice him and engage with him as a human being.
His genuine longing for attention, his need for human care and his openness to others reminded me, as I often need to be reminded, that “the greatest of these is love”(1 Corinthians 13:13).
When you pass someone on the street, instead of ignoring them out of fear of the unknown, look at them, acknowledge them and perhaps, if it seems appropriate, stop and talk with them. They are people too and, like everyone, they just want to be noticed.
Sarah Enns
Community Education Coordinator and sj101 Coordinator
Monday, March 16, 2009
The Invisible Homeless
Not too long ago I met Keith*. Keith is a kind man with a big toothless smile. He eats most of his meals at Siloam Mission but never stays the night in our emergency shelter. He resides at the McLaren Hotel in downtown Winnipeg, a stone’s throw away from Siloam. He has been staying there for over 20 years. Shocking? I know. What’s even more shocking is that he’s not alone in his circumstances.
You’d be surprised to find out that there are many people in similar situations. There are a number of people who live in rooms in downtown hotels, and to some of them Keith’s 20 year stretch is nothing.
Does living in a skuzzy, run down, dangerous hotel in the middle of the city mean you have yourself a home? I think not. Yet, it’s what Keith has and it’s what he’s surprisingly used to. Keith is one of the many invisible homeless.
Then there’s Mike *. Mike’s a young guy, energetic and warm hearted. He comes by once in a while to access our health centre and get some fresh clothes. We’ve never put him up for the night though; he stays with friends. Mike’s a “couch surfer” and, like Keith, he’s not the only one in that situation.
There are many who spend their nights with various friends or family members. They usually stay for a night or two but after that have worn out their welcome and have to find themselves alternative accommodations again. Night after night they never know for sure if there’ll be a place to stay.
Does having a roof over your head at night automatically mean you have a home? Not really. This is Mike’s life though, this is what he does, and he’s come to expect it. Mike is one of the many invisible homeless.
The invisible homeless are people who can’t claim a permanent residence but are not necessarily seen wandering the streets or sleeping in homeless shelters. They quietly accept homelessness and loneliness. If you’re living in a hotel or moving from couch to couch, you’re not out on the streets, but you’re still homeless.
Sarah Enns
Community Education Coordinator and sj101 Coordinator
*Names changed to protect privacy
You’d be surprised to find out that there are many people in similar situations. There are a number of people who live in rooms in downtown hotels, and to some of them Keith’s 20 year stretch is nothing.
Does living in a skuzzy, run down, dangerous hotel in the middle of the city mean you have yourself a home? I think not. Yet, it’s what Keith has and it’s what he’s surprisingly used to. Keith is one of the many invisible homeless.
Then there’s Mike *. Mike’s a young guy, energetic and warm hearted. He comes by once in a while to access our health centre and get some fresh clothes. We’ve never put him up for the night though; he stays with friends. Mike’s a “couch surfer” and, like Keith, he’s not the only one in that situation.
There are many who spend their nights with various friends or family members. They usually stay for a night or two but after that have worn out their welcome and have to find themselves alternative accommodations again. Night after night they never know for sure if there’ll be a place to stay.
Does having a roof over your head at night automatically mean you have a home? Not really. This is Mike’s life though, this is what he does, and he’s come to expect it. Mike is one of the many invisible homeless.
The invisible homeless are people who can’t claim a permanent residence but are not necessarily seen wandering the streets or sleeping in homeless shelters. They quietly accept homelessness and loneliness. If you’re living in a hotel or moving from couch to couch, you’re not out on the streets, but you’re still homeless.
Sarah Enns
Community Education Coordinator and sj101 Coordinator
*Names changed to protect privacy
Monday, March 9, 2009
Siloam Mission Receives Meaningful Donation
Over the last week there has been quite the media buzz about an elderly gentleman from inner city Winnipeg named Mr. William Woodford. Mr. Woodford surprised the staff at Siloam Mission when he arrived at our doors on February 27 with a bank draft for $40,000. His further donation of $10,000 on March 3 was nothing less than shocking.
The media was all over the story as Siloam Mission thanked Mr. Woodford for his generosity and he was honoured as an aboriginal person for his admirable deed by the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs. He was honored in this way not only because of the sizable donation but also because of the source of it. Mr. Woodford is a victim of residential schools. Recently the government of Canada decided to give those who were victims of abuse under the residential school system monetary compensation for the wrongs of the past. Mr. Woodford decided to give the money to others. When asked how he decided what to do with all that money, his response was simply, “Well, God told me that.” Mr. Woodford gave the money that was meant to be his compensation, gave also out of his personal savings and has said he will continue to give on a monthly basis.
This is an act of generosity, love, forgiveness and hope. Mr. Woodford is one of the most generous people I have met. And yet, let’s not forget about the many others who also trust us with their resources and faithfully give to Siloam Mission. They are not caught by the eye of the media but they are wonderful nonetheless. Some of our donors are corporations, some are individuals from the community and some are patrons who give out of their meager earnings longing to give back to the place that has been there for them during hard times. Let us also not forget about all those who volunteer with us diligently giving of their time to others who are in need of a helping hand or a listening ear.
What dear Mr. Woodford has done should serve as an example to us all. He deserved the residential schools compensation; he suffered great injustice as a child and as a young man, he served our country in World War II, he now lives in a humble abode. He could have kept the money and did whatever he wanted with it, claiming that he deserved it, and rightfully so. We should all be willing to give up what is “rightfully ours” at God’s prodding. However, we all know how difficult it is for the rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven as Jesus once told us (Matthew 19:16-24).
Sarah Enns
Community Education Coordinator and sj101 Coordinator
To read some stories about Mr. William Woodford and his generous donation, check out this link.
http://www.siloam.ca/news_40000_donated_in_the_news.html
For more information about residential schools see CBC’s reports at this link as a start.
http://archives.cbc.ca/society/education/topics/692/
The media was all over the story as Siloam Mission thanked Mr. Woodford for his generosity and he was honoured as an aboriginal person for his admirable deed by the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs. He was honored in this way not only because of the sizable donation but also because of the source of it. Mr. Woodford is a victim of residential schools. Recently the government of Canada decided to give those who were victims of abuse under the residential school system monetary compensation for the wrongs of the past. Mr. Woodford decided to give the money to others. When asked how he decided what to do with all that money, his response was simply, “Well, God told me that.” Mr. Woodford gave the money that was meant to be his compensation, gave also out of his personal savings and has said he will continue to give on a monthly basis.
This is an act of generosity, love, forgiveness and hope. Mr. Woodford is one of the most generous people I have met. And yet, let’s not forget about the many others who also trust us with their resources and faithfully give to Siloam Mission. They are not caught by the eye of the media but they are wonderful nonetheless. Some of our donors are corporations, some are individuals from the community and some are patrons who give out of their meager earnings longing to give back to the place that has been there for them during hard times. Let us also not forget about all those who volunteer with us diligently giving of their time to others who are in need of a helping hand or a listening ear.
What dear Mr. Woodford has done should serve as an example to us all. He deserved the residential schools compensation; he suffered great injustice as a child and as a young man, he served our country in World War II, he now lives in a humble abode. He could have kept the money and did whatever he wanted with it, claiming that he deserved it, and rightfully so. We should all be willing to give up what is “rightfully ours” at God’s prodding. However, we all know how difficult it is for the rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven as Jesus once told us (Matthew 19:16-24).
Sarah Enns
Community Education Coordinator and sj101 Coordinator
To read some stories about Mr. William Woodford and his generous donation, check out this link.
http://www.siloam.ca/news_40000_donated_in_the_news.html
For more information about residential schools see CBC’s reports at this link as a start.
http://archives.cbc.ca/society/education/topics/692/
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Why Don't They Just Get a Job?
I'm sure you've heard people say this before when referring to those who are homeless. Some people think that the issue of homelessness in Winnipeg has an easy solution; if people would simply try harder everything would be fine for them. They just need to put more effort into life. They're just lazy.
Siloam Mission's Emergency Shelter has 115 beds and we're full most nights. Did you know that about 30% of our shelter patrons get up between 4am and 6am to hit the streets to find a job? So that means that on any given morning (including Saturdays, Sundays and many holidays) at Siloam Mission about 34 people are waking up long before I am and are heading out into the cold to go get a job for the day.
I'm predicting two questions will be floating around in your head right about now. "If they are working, why are they spending their nights at Siloam Mission?" is likely your first question and "so what about the other 70% of shelter patrons?" is probably the second.
Well, as for the first question, the simple answer has to do with the type of work people are able to find. In Canada we have Temporary Work Placement Agencies. People can head over to these agencies and can get a job for the day. If they are lucky they may get a job that will be steady for a period of time, but often it ends up being a few days, or maybe even just a day. Sometimes they head over there and there is nothing for them at all and they are told to try again the next day. This is the type of work available to many individuals who are experiencing homelessness. The pay is unsteady, benefits are unlikely and the work is unreliable.
Now, as for the second question, there are many reasons that someone may not be working. Here's a list of possible contributing factors. Chew on this for a while…
Physical Illness
Mental Illness
Physical Disability
Mental Disability
Old Age
Stereotyping
Discrimination
Language Barriers
Abuse
Drug and Alcohol Use
Criminal Record
Gang Involvement
Lack of Education
Lack of Skills
Lack of Self - Confidence
No Address
No Phone Number
No Identification
Personal Hygiene
Cyclical Poverty
Why then don’t they just get a job? With all this in mind, how can people even still ask that question?
Sarah Enns
Community Education Coordinator and sj101 Coordinator
Siloam Mission's Emergency Shelter has 115 beds and we're full most nights. Did you know that about 30% of our shelter patrons get up between 4am and 6am to hit the streets to find a job? So that means that on any given morning (including Saturdays, Sundays and many holidays) at Siloam Mission about 34 people are waking up long before I am and are heading out into the cold to go get a job for the day.
I'm predicting two questions will be floating around in your head right about now. "If they are working, why are they spending their nights at Siloam Mission?" is likely your first question and "so what about the other 70% of shelter patrons?" is probably the second.
Well, as for the first question, the simple answer has to do with the type of work people are able to find. In Canada we have Temporary Work Placement Agencies. People can head over to these agencies and can get a job for the day. If they are lucky they may get a job that will be steady for a period of time, but often it ends up being a few days, or maybe even just a day. Sometimes they head over there and there is nothing for them at all and they are told to try again the next day. This is the type of work available to many individuals who are experiencing homelessness. The pay is unsteady, benefits are unlikely and the work is unreliable.
Now, as for the second question, there are many reasons that someone may not be working. Here's a list of possible contributing factors. Chew on this for a while…
Physical Illness
Mental Illness
Physical Disability
Mental Disability
Old Age
Stereotyping
Discrimination
Language Barriers
Abuse
Drug and Alcohol Use
Criminal Record
Gang Involvement
Lack of Education
Lack of Skills
Lack of Self - Confidence
No Address
No Phone Number
No Identification
Personal Hygiene
Cyclical Poverty
Why then don’t they just get a job? With all this in mind, how can people even still ask that question?
Sarah Enns
Community Education Coordinator and sj101 Coordinator
Friday, February 13, 2009
Love is in the Air...
There are a few things I’ve had on my mind as Valentine’s Day has been approaching and I’m wondering what all the rest of the world out there thinks (or at least those in Winnipeg who may read this).
Let me begin by just saying that Valentine’s Day is confusing to me. Do we really need a day in order to show those we love that we care about them? Shouldn’t we be doing that everyday? And why has this day become so much about the material items you give to those you care about? Is that really the only way to show someone you love them? But I suppose it’s just following suit with all the other holidays that society has snagged and has fairly successfully convinced us are all about buying stuff and getting stuff.
This day has also become very much about couples – at least in the adult world. Oh, the days when on this special occasion each kid in the class gave each kid in the class a little paper Spiderman or Barbie Valentine card, and no one felt left out. No one was allowed to let anyone else feel left out because your parents and your teachers made you write on one of those little papers for everyone in the world! Including the kid that no one liked because in my mother’s words – and I’m pretty sure in the words of DC Talk – “We all wanna be loved”. And you know, now that I’m older I’m glad my parents told me I had to include everyone, be it for Valentine’s day cards or at recess in the school yard, I learned that everyone has value and no one should be cast aside. But for adults, Valentine’s Day is all about exclusivity. We forget about all the different kinds of love that there are and all the ways that love can be expressed. We forget about the love that Jesus so passionately taught us about. At Valentine’s it seems as though love can only be love when it’s between two people who are dating or are married. It seems as though love is only for some. And worse, it seems as though it’s only deserved by some.
I delivered a short speech at a Winnipeg school a couple of days ago. They were having an assembly and focusing on loving others. After they heard from myself, sang a song about caring for other people, and heard from their principal about being kind, they made little paper hearts and decorated them. They didn’t make these hearts for each other though. When they were done, they gave them to Siloam Mission to be given out on Valentine’s Day to those who will be using our services. 400 construction paper hearts carefully made and carefully written on with love. There will be 44 volunteers at Siloam Mission this Saturday February the 14th, who will, along with staff, serve meals to and care for Winnipeg’s less fortunate, Winnipeg’s forgotten. That’s loving others.
So this Valentine’s Day, perhaps instead of taking your significant other out for a fancy dinner and buying him/her an expensive over-sized teddy bear that holds a plush heart which reads “Be Mine”(that he/she will only have to find space for in his/her room that is already over crowded with useless stuff our culture says we need), you might consider making little paper hearts for others who don’t feel like anyone cares about them or volunteering at a soup kitchen with people who “wanna be loved”. Don’t get me wrong, special plans are a nice gesture and “couple time” is needed for any healthy romantic relationship, but what I’m trying to say is that I don’t think Valentine’s Day needs to be confined to “couple love”.
There are so many hurting people out there; your friends, your neighbours, family members, those who have little to no support system, those who live on our streets. Everyone needs to feel a little love. Everyone needs to know they are cared about. Everyone needs to know someone sees they exist.
So let’s start making Valentine’s Day, and may I suggest everyday, a little more about loving others and a little less about “me”.
Sarah Enns
Community Education Coordinator and sj101 Coordinator
Let me begin by just saying that Valentine’s Day is confusing to me. Do we really need a day in order to show those we love that we care about them? Shouldn’t we be doing that everyday? And why has this day become so much about the material items you give to those you care about? Is that really the only way to show someone you love them? But I suppose it’s just following suit with all the other holidays that society has snagged and has fairly successfully convinced us are all about buying stuff and getting stuff.
This day has also become very much about couples – at least in the adult world. Oh, the days when on this special occasion each kid in the class gave each kid in the class a little paper Spiderman or Barbie Valentine card, and no one felt left out. No one was allowed to let anyone else feel left out because your parents and your teachers made you write on one of those little papers for everyone in the world! Including the kid that no one liked because in my mother’s words – and I’m pretty sure in the words of DC Talk – “We all wanna be loved”. And you know, now that I’m older I’m glad my parents told me I had to include everyone, be it for Valentine’s day cards or at recess in the school yard, I learned that everyone has value and no one should be cast aside. But for adults, Valentine’s Day is all about exclusivity. We forget about all the different kinds of love that there are and all the ways that love can be expressed. We forget about the love that Jesus so passionately taught us about. At Valentine’s it seems as though love can only be love when it’s between two people who are dating or are married. It seems as though love is only for some. And worse, it seems as though it’s only deserved by some.
I delivered a short speech at a Winnipeg school a couple of days ago. They were having an assembly and focusing on loving others. After they heard from myself, sang a song about caring for other people, and heard from their principal about being kind, they made little paper hearts and decorated them. They didn’t make these hearts for each other though. When they were done, they gave them to Siloam Mission to be given out on Valentine’s Day to those who will be using our services. 400 construction paper hearts carefully made and carefully written on with love. There will be 44 volunteers at Siloam Mission this Saturday February the 14th, who will, along with staff, serve meals to and care for Winnipeg’s less fortunate, Winnipeg’s forgotten. That’s loving others.
So this Valentine’s Day, perhaps instead of taking your significant other out for a fancy dinner and buying him/her an expensive over-sized teddy bear that holds a plush heart which reads “Be Mine”(that he/she will only have to find space for in his/her room that is already over crowded with useless stuff our culture says we need), you might consider making little paper hearts for others who don’t feel like anyone cares about them or volunteering at a soup kitchen with people who “wanna be loved”. Don’t get me wrong, special plans are a nice gesture and “couple time” is needed for any healthy romantic relationship, but what I’m trying to say is that I don’t think Valentine’s Day needs to be confined to “couple love”.
There are so many hurting people out there; your friends, your neighbours, family members, those who have little to no support system, those who live on our streets. Everyone needs to feel a little love. Everyone needs to know they are cared about. Everyone needs to know someone sees they exist.
So let’s start making Valentine’s Day, and may I suggest everyday, a little more about loving others and a little less about “me”.
Sarah Enns
Community Education Coordinator and sj101 Coordinator
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
First Post!
Welcome to the Siloam Mission sj101 blog! We've created this blog in conjunction with our new summer program called sj101 (Social Justice 101).
sj101 is a 4 day camp from august 11-14, 2009 for youths grades 9-12 that will help you challenge your views of poverty and homelessness.
This blog is meant for you to post your thoughts, ideas, and questions coming up to the event and even after the event. It will be updated about once every couple of weeks and you are welcome to comment on any post.
Check back here often to find out what your peers think about poverty and homelessness in Winnipeg and in Canada. And to find out more about sj101 go to www.siloam.ca/sj101. Or if you'd like to learn about Siloam Mission in general, check out our website at www.siloam.ca.
Sarah Enns
Community Education Coordinator and sj101 Coordinator
sj101 is a 4 day camp from august 11-14, 2009 for youths grades 9-12 that will help you challenge your views of poverty and homelessness.
This blog is meant for you to post your thoughts, ideas, and questions coming up to the event and even after the event. It will be updated about once every couple of weeks and you are welcome to comment on any post.
Check back here often to find out what your peers think about poverty and homelessness in Winnipeg and in Canada. And to find out more about sj101 go to www.siloam.ca/sj101. Or if you'd like to learn about Siloam Mission in general, check out our website at www.siloam.ca.
Sarah Enns
Community Education Coordinator and sj101 Coordinator
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