Great City project

[Dion]

CTV's Barb Higgins spent last night in the old Brick building on 16th avenue that was converted into a homeless shelter. She wrote about her experiences in her blog. Very eye opening and worth the read. Clears up alot of misconceptions about the homeless.

Most of the people I have talked to have jobs. It is clear to me they are not ‘far gone’. They are focused. They keep their heads down and they keep to themselves. There is nothing scary about them.

http://www.greatcity.ca/blog/index.php?paged=3

[oxygen]

Thanks for posting that, definitely worth reading.

[FireFly]

I look forward to reading future blogs. Stuff like this is really eye opening. Makes me realize that I'm lucky I have the support structure I do... because I'm also one paycheque away from trouble, but I know that my family is there to catch me if I need them to.

[Dion]

Originally Posted by FireFly

I look forward to reading future blogs. Stuff like this is really eye opening. Makes me realize that I'm lucky I have the support structure I do... because I'm also one paycheque away from trouble, but I know that my family is there to catch me if I need them to.

Your right, it does make one realise how close many of us are from being in trouble. Losing a job or developing a disabilty could be enough to put anyone in that situation.

What opened my eyes was the fact that the majority of people in these shelters have some form of disabilty, weather it be physical or emotional. Trapped in a cycle they can't seem to break out of. They hold down jobs but at the lower end of the scale. Far too often we hear the label of them being lazy and not willing to work.

[redforever]

Barb Higgins has always exuded warmth and caring when you see her on the news or in person. But this blog gives her a new dimension. That she is a sensitive and kind soul is an understatment. I notice that the blog has a place where you can donate. I plan to and I hope that those who can will do so. As Barb said, they have problems, but they are hard workers and are just down on their luck.

[RedHot25]

Without having read her blog, I can't say that I am surprised by the comments in this thread. The working poor is a huge problem (you would be surprised how many people you come across, that are working...but yet are homeless), and other big problem is the challenges faced by those with mental health concerns, disability, etc.