Search the Community

I'm writing this because I read Edward Keenan's column in the Toronto Star newspaper today. It made me sad, angry and frustrated, with our city, those of us who live here, and most especially with those we elect to care for us and our city. Mr. Keenan wrote so well about how this city was once known as Toronto the Good, and it was at one time that people here cared about each other. Now, not so much, as Mr. Keenan wrote, it is Toronto the Hostile...I'll add Toronto the Uncaring. We give to charities here, my husband and me. I thought that was enough. I became complacent and stopped seeing what was actually happening. Homelessness is spoken about, and we pretend to care, yet we design outdoor seating to be deliberately uncomfortable; we have ABM/ATMs that are closed when the bank is closed, all-night diners that close at 10 p.m. or only offer take-out, bus shelters that look like something sliced them in half - they protect you from nothing. All these design changes to ensure people experiencing homelessness can't spend time there. We do this rather than fixing the real issue. People without housing are human beings, and we treat them like they chose to live this way. There indeed are the odd few who did, but most want a 'normal' life. This isn't happening only here; it's everywhere. Places want to make being homeless a crime. Well, I guess jail would provide food and a bed. It's better than the street sometimes, and I can tell you that. I feel sad and disappointed in the answers we've come up with to battle homelessness. It's not going to get better if we shrug and do nothing; after all, maybe we have enough money to live normally. If you're lucky enough, that's how life is for you, then please spare a thought for the less fortunate. It's time to break out your pens and paper or email. Send your demand for something better to your local politician. Give to your local charities if you're able.

Yep, it's that time of the year. What time? I hear you ask. It is the time when we are either thinking about or trying not to think about Christmas. It's also the time when many charitable organisations get the begging bowl out. I've already had my begging bowl out, been around the usual local companies and a few more. I've been lucky and received donations and promises of help from all that I have approached, and I am grateful for everything that has been received and promised. Now I've got the begging bowl out again. But I'm not asking anyone here for anything and I do not want any of you to send, or enquire about sending anything. I'm rattling the bowl on behalf of the charitable organisations local to you. Yes, local to you. As many know, I do what many others do and try to help people who find themselves homeless. What I'm asking is, what can you do? Can you afford to dig deep in your pockets and make a donation to a charity or shelter for homeless people near where you live? If you can then please give what you can afford, even if it's just the loose change in your pocket, they will be grateful for it and will use it wisely. Can you afford to give up some of your time? If you can then please volunteer to help them, they will be grateful for that too. Whatever you can give will be gratefully received, so please look up your local charities and organisations that help homeless people and donate to them whatever you can afford, whether it be time, money or both and if you can please continue to give throughout the year, homeless people need our help throughout the year, not just at Christmas time. I thank you in advance on their behalf and wish you all a Merry Christmas/Happy Holidays, whichever applies to you and your beliefs. I'll put the begging bowl away now, until next year, and thank you.

Friday 25th September 2015 – 7:30pm till 7:30am. I am spending a night sleeping in a cardboard box on the streets of Hastings. I am also shamelessly begging anyone who can to sponsor me and help me in this mad idea. The event is called The Big Sleep, and is run by an organisation called Seaview. To secure my ticket I have to raise a minimum of £25 and this will ensure I get a small dinner and breakfast – supplied by a local charity as they would give to any homeless person. I of course would like to raise as much as possible to help this worthy charity. If you can help please click to go to my online fundraising page. I know that not everyone has money to spend – if you cannot help financially can I please ask that you share this page on your Facebook, twitter, google plus, and any other site you can, to spread the awareness. GIVEAWAY I will be giving away a £5 Amazon giftcard to a random person who sponsors me. I will also give a £5 Amazon giftcard to a random person who helps me by sharing this post as much as possible. Just leave me a comment below to tell me which giveaway you're entering - of course you can double your chances by doing both *hint* Thank you everyone and please wish me luck.