When discussing homelessness and poverty, I’m often asked, “What can I do?”
There are several immediate ways to help: Donate what you can to food banks, be kind, support organizations helping with housing like Blue Door, LOFT or 360kids, or volunteer your time at those same charities.
However, the most significant way you can contribute is by using your voice.
What do I mean by this?
If more people voice their concerns and push for change, people with the power to make change will take notice.
For instance, take housing. For many years, housing was not a top concern for Canadians and it surely didn’t influence elections. Recently, that has changed, as more and more opinion polls show housing and lack of affordable housing are top of mind for many.
Politicians paid attention and many have incorporated plans to address housing in their platforms. Your voices are making a difference.
When Barrie city council proposed fining citizens who gave water or food to people experiencing homelessness, the Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness helped people nationwide voice their thoughts and concerns to council. With these efforts and other advocates, council voted against taking the suggested measures. Council listened to the voices of Canadians, including Barrie residents.
Recently, the Regional Municipality of York proposed building an urgently needed men’s emergency and transitional housing project on a large piece of land in the Town of Aurora. Unfortunately, the proposal was voted down 4-3 at council, delaying a crucial project for the region’s most vulnerable men — fathers, sons, brothers, uncles and grandfathers without a safe, supportive place to call home. While this news was devastating, there is a silver lining.
Adam Mobbs, a resident of Aurora who spoke in support of the new men’s emergency and transitional housing project, took action. Along with other community members, he formed an ad hoc community group called Aurora Cares, Housing for All to voice their disappointment in council’s decision to block the housing development in Aurora.
In speaking with Adam, I asked him to tell me more about the group and why it came about.
Adam explained, “This group cares about finding solutions for those experiencing homelessness and vulnerable members of our community who require access to essential life services. They understand that it is a long and expensive process to develop these solutions and they felt this project (in Aurora) was well on its way to successful groundbreaking when council unexpectedly put a halt to it.”
He continued, “They (Aurora Cares) want to find a way to get it back on track and to benefit from the existing investment in planning for the original location, the fact that the Region of York owns the property, and to avoid further loss of time in addressing this pressing issue.”
Initially starting with a few concerned citizens, the group now has more than 300 members. Many have extensive experience in housing policy, serving vulnerable communities, housing development, and social services.
The ad hoc group aims to find a way for Aurora town council to reconsider and assist with the necessary approvals for the region to proceed.
Adam added, “We understand that a community can only thrive when its most vulnerable have an opportunity to not just survive, but thrive. We believe we all have a role to play in solving issues that impact all of us. We truly do care for everyone.”
The community’s response has been inspiring.
Adam shared, “While we thought our community cared, we didn’t know to what extent and have been blown away by the high level of support.”
For Blue Door and our most vulnerable, the support from the Aurora community reminds us people truly do care and want inclusive communities for all.
We are so grateful to Adam and the many others who have stepped up to make their voices heard. This collective action inspires us to continue supporting people experiencing homelessness.
William H. Johnsen once said, “If it is to be, it is up to me.”
Groups like Aurora Cares, Housing for All have taken this to heart. If we are truly going to make change happen, it’s up to all of us to stand up and stand together.
So, next time you think, “What can I do?” remember the power in your voice, the power in your vote, and the power of voices coming together.
If you’re interested in voicing your concerns about men’s emergency housing, contact Aurora Cares, Housing for All at [email protected] or via its Facebook group.
Michael Braithwaite is the CEO of Blue Door, host of the housing and homelessness podcast On the Way Home, board chair of the youth homelessness-focused organization A Way Home Canada, and a tireless advocate for people experiencing homelessness.
