Posted by admin on January 27, 2012 · Leave a Comment
Going to work this morning, I came down the same hill at the same time and saw the same bus going up the other side. I got on my usual bus with the same driver and saw the same people going about their routines too. Before that, I got up, checked my email…watched the morning news as I had my coffee and said goodbye to my family as I do every morning.
Routine…predictability…we might be tempted to see it as boring…but it’s actually healthy! Of course we like to shake it up every now and then to keep it interesting, but mental health experts say that routine and knowing what tomorrow will bring is a key factor in your overall health. The stress of not knowing what tomorrow will look like can be seen first in a lowered immune system leading to frequent illness, and chronic stress leads to changes in the very biochemistry of one’s body leading to conditions such as depression.
What did your morning look like? Many of the people we see at OIM woke up not knowing where they will eat today, or where they will sleep tonight. Many don’t know where they will be tomorrow, let alone in a week.
Routine…predictability…doesn’t sound so bad does it?
Filed under ABCD, About OIM, Addictions, Alcoholism, Assets Based Community Development, Biblical, Breaking the cycle of poverty, Christmas, christmas cheer, Christmas giving, christmas on the streets, christmas spirit, creative arts, Dignity, Drop In Services, Events, General Poverty, gift of christmas, homeless christmas, Homelessness, Housing, Housing Canada, Housing Ontario, Housing Ottawa, Injustice, injustice Ontario, Justice, justice canada, meaning of christmas, mental health, mental illness, Miracle on the Streets, Passion for Youth art program, Personal Experiences, Poverty, Poverty in Canada, Recovery, Respect, Social, Street Outreach, Street Youth, street youth art program, Street Youth in Canada, Street Youth Ottawa, systemic poverty canada, Volunteer Ottawa, Volunteering · Tagged with art therapy, Assets Based Community Development, biblical justice, break cycle poverty, christmas gift, christmas poverty, christmas spirit, Dignity, gift of christmas, help the poor, Homelessness, homelessness ottawa, Justice, Make a diference, Recovery, Respect, Street Youth, street youth outreach, walk the streets
Posted by ken on January 5, 2012 · Leave a Comment
Very different indeed. A bit hard to process for some, so let’s paint a picture of the reality of kids on the street. Many issues certainly, here are a few:
Physical Abuse: most kids are fleeing domestic violence. Hard as street life is, it’s viewed as better than ‘home’.
Substance Abuse: if it hasn’t already started, it comes into the picture big time when the kids hit the streets. It begins as self-medication to try to deal with pain of whatever they are facing. Then it turns into a physiological thing and then the kids need to maintain so as not to go into withdrawal.
All alone: Even though they hang out in larger groups for safety, each of these ‘tough kids’ is just a kid, like the kid across the street from you, who has HAD to put on an image in order to survive. It is a mask, necessary for survival. No support, no one to help, none. None.
Violence: is a part of it all, along with ‘survival tactics’ that are less than pretty: prostitution, drug use with needles and prescriptions and whatever else comes to hand, even running drugs for the ‘boss’ man.
We deal with these issues, portrayed through kids who mostly never had a fair chance because of their background. So we love on them, encourage them in the smallest things you can imagine, build self-esteem whenever we can, and really, just try to hang on to them.
Statistics report that there are a few levels of socio-economic backgrounds of kids on the streets, but guess what? The pimps, dealers and other exploiters, really do NOT care. They see a source of income, a piece of meat to ‘sell’, a means to their own selfish ends.
They come to us. They come every week. They have no other place to go that is positive, encouraging and supportive.
Yea, it’s hard work, and it really hurts sometimes, but we believe in these kids with all of our hearts.
Filed under About OIM, Addictions, Alcoholism, Breaking the cycle of poverty, Dignity, General Poverty, Homelessness, Injustice, Justice, justice canada, mental health, mental illness, Passion for Youth art program, Personal Experiences, Poverty, Poverty in Canada, Recovery, Respect, Social, Street Outreach, Street Youth, street youth art program, Street Youth in Canada, Street Youth Ottawa, systemic poverty canada, Uncategorized, Volunteer Ottawa · Tagged with Addictions, Alcoholism, art therapy, Assets Based Community Development, biblical justice, break cycle poverty, Dignity, help the poor, Homelessness, homelessness canada, homelessness ontario, homelessness ottawa, injustice Canada, injustice Ontario, living on the streets, Make a diference, poverty ontario, poverty ottawa, Recovery, Street Outreach, street youth outreach, walk the streets
Posted by ken on January 3, 2012 · Leave a Comment
Filed under ABCD, About OIM, Addictions, Assets Based Community Development, Biblical, Breaking the cycle of poverty, creative arts, Dignity, General Poverty, Justice, Miracle on the Streets, Passion for Youth art program, Personal Experiences, Poverty, Poverty in Canada, Recovery, Respect, Street Outreach, Street Youth, street youth art program, Street Youth in Canada, Street Youth Ottawa, systemic poverty canada · Tagged with ABCD, Addictions, art therapy, Assets Based Community Development, break cycle poverty, Dignity, help the poor, Homelessness, homelessness canada, homelessness ontario, homelessness ottawa, street work, Street Youth, street youth outreach
Posted by ken on July 25, 2011 · Leave a Comment
Our youth outreach worker recounted this story of last Monday’s events, and I thought you would be interested.
Eddy was one of the first members of our Passion 4 youth art program. He enjoyed coming every week and worked on building model cars and also a model of a mountain with a stream running from the side. After the first art show he and his girlfriend Sue stopped coming to the group. I caught up with him a few times on outreach and he told me that he was selling too much crack now and could not afford to take a night off. So we just kept telling him that we loved him and that he was welcome to come back whenever he wanted to. Then we stopped hearing from him all together for a few months. At one point his girlfriend Sue contacted me and told me that he had been arrested for selling drugs. A few more months went by and I got a facebook message from Eddy. He told me that he had served 7 months in Jail and then was released to serve the rest of his sentence at a rehab facility in Quebec. He was allowed to go home for a weekend and while at home he used heroin again. When he came back to rehab and failed a drug test and was dismissed from the facility.
At his next court appearance Eddy was informed that he would have to serve a few more months in jail because he failed the drug test. He asked if he could go and call his mother. When he left the room, Eddy got scared and decided to run from the court room. He later called his lawyer who told him that he needed to turn himself in to the authorities. He knew that he should do the right thing but he was very scared to turn himself in.
Eddy asked me what I thought he should do and I told him that he needed to listen to his lawyer. He said that he has never willingly put himself in Jail. It was just too crazy to think about. So over the next few weeks Eddy would contact me and tell me that he was going to turn himself in. But the next day he would not follow through. He called me again and said that he was thinking about turning himself over to authorities in the morning. I told him that if he wanted I would meet him I would meet with him at the Rideau center in the morning and we could go together. That way he could have a friend with him in case he got scared and wanted to run away again. Eddy said that he would like that so we arranged a time to meet. When I arrived at our meeting spot he was already there waiting for me. We hugged and I told him that I was proud of him. I got him some breakfast and sat and talked for a while. I asked him why he felt that he was ready now. He told me that he had just found out that our mutual friend Roni had died of a drug overdose last week. Roni was a good friend to him and her death had a profound effect on him. He decided that if he didn’t want to end up the same way he needed to make some changes in his life. We talked about how this was an opportunity for him to face some of the things that he has been running from. We walked over to the court house together. Along the way Eddy noticed a man sitting on the Mackenzie King Bridge pan handling. Eddy walked over and gave him all but 4 of the cigarettes from his pack, as well as all of the money in his pocket. We went into the court and called his lawyer. The lawyer agreed to meet him there. When the lawyer came we approached one of the police officers stationed at the court house and told him that Eddy was turning himself in. He filled out some paper work gave up his wallet and shoe laces. He looked very scared and started to cry. The officer told him that he was going to process the paper work and be back in about fifteen minutes. In the mean time Eddy was allowed to go outside and have one last smoke.
We walked out to the patio in the back and he lit his cigarette. At this point I reminded him of all the times we had talked about the difference that Jesus could make in his life. We talked about how God’s love for him is unconditional, and that he was going to need Gods strength to overcome the things that were controlling his life. Usually an agnostic, Eddy told me that this time he really believed that what I was saying was true. So I asked if he would like to ask the Lord to be his Savior and give his life to Christ he said that he did. I sat next to him and we prayed together. When we were done praying we looked up and the police officer was waiting in front of us to take him to the cells. We stood up and walked together with the officer to the elevator.
The officer agreed not to handcuff him until they were downstairs so as not to embarrass him in front of the public. Eddy teared up again and then gave me a hug. I left him my number so that he can continue to call me while he is in jail. He thanked me for staying with him and then asked if I would call his dad and let him know what happened. As I left the court I thought about how proud of Eddy I was. This was very hard for him but he did it anyway. I thanked God for taking what the devil would want to use for harm and turning it into an opportunity to bring my friend into a relationship with him.
It’s a new beginning for Eddy, a fresh start. Let’s pray that he continues to make good decisions and plans for his future.
Filed under ABCD, About OIM, Addictions, Assets Based Community Development, Breaking the cycle of poverty, creative arts, Dignity, Events, Homelessness, Justice, justice canada, Passion for Youth art program, Personal Experiences, Poverty, Recovery, Respect, Street Outreach, Street Youth, street youth art program, Street Youth in Canada, Street Youth Ottawa · Tagged with ABCD, Addictions, art therapy, Assets Based Community Development, break cycle poverty, criminal justice system, Dignity, help the poor, Homelessness, homelessness canada, homelessness ontario, homelessness ottawa, jail time, justice system, living on the streets, Make a diference, poverty Canada, poverty ontario, poverty ottawa, Recovery, Respect, Street Outreach, street work, Street Youth, street youth outreach
Posted by ken on June 24, 2011 · 1 Comment
A few weeks ago, one of our street youth was found drowned in the Ottawa River. I can tell you he came from a broken home, with all the accoutrements that you might imagine might accompany that. He left home when he was 16 and was ‘on and off’ the streets. We have been in relationship with him for the past three years.
A few weeks ago another agency called us to ask if we had seen him. Neither we nor they had contact with him for three weeks or so, and long story short, he was found in the river after partying at his 19th birthday with some friends.
But that’s not my story… There was a memorial service just last week, and many of the kids on the streets were in attendance to pay their respects. Our youth outreach worker had to leave the memorial a bit early and noticed the two policemen that were waiting downstairs just outside in the hallway where the memorial service was held. Imagining that they had come to pay their respects to the deceased, he greeted them and walked outside. ‘Nice of them to come’, he thought.
The next day we started to hear reports about the aftermath of the memorial. Apparently these two policemen were waiting for a specific purpose. They had a number of photographs and list of descriptions of youth who had outstanding warrants, and were waiting for the kids to emerge from the memorial service to apprehend them and take them off to jail. These would be for breeches of probation, failure to show at court, unpaid fines and the like.
OK, so the police are just trying to do their jobs? Yes they are.
Nothing technically wrong with it, there were not violating any laws or anything. It just seems to be a bit shortsighted in that it achieved a short term goal, but does no long term bridge building betweem the kids and the police.
I would love to hear your comments on this one!
Filed under Biblical, Dignity, Homelessness, Injustice, Justice, justice canada, Respect, Social, Street Youth, Street Youth in Canada, Street Youth Ottawa · Tagged with
Posted by ken on June 17, 2011 · Leave a Comment
Greg Payne is our volunteer chiropractor at the drop in. He told me a story about an encounter he had with one of our guests, and I asked him to document it. Here is his story. (Name changed, naturally).
Jenny (mid forties) came to the drop-in for her chiropractic adjustment. She complained about a bloated feeling that her Crohns was making a rather symptomatic episode. The day before someone had given her a free lunch at Tim Hortons, but she could not hold it down. She further said she was suffering from intense bleeding and was afraid to leave her house. She had to wear disposable diapers. Her GI MD <gastro intestinal doctor> did an X-ray and told her she had a small bowl obstruction and the bowl had shifted out of place. They admitted her and “stuck tubes in her nose and everywhere” Jenny reported.
I prayed for her, and told her she would do well with her adjustment and that she would be healing.
Two weeks later she returned for another chiropractic adjustment and told me that the day after her adjustment she felt only a little better. But, on the second day following the adjustment she was A LOT better! She returned to the GI MD. He retook the X-rays and said that her small bowl obstruction had gone, that her bowl was in the correct place and “that her Crohn’s or evidence of her Crohn’s had disappeared”!
To this her MD mentioned that it must have been ‘that guy there at the drop-in’, that chiropractor that did it! I told her that it was Jesus who brings the power to heal, but he does work through his people. It certainly was not me.
This is an answer to prayer and totally beyond the power of any man. I am both an observer of what God is doing among the poor, and also an instrument in His hands.
Jenny clearly needed and received immediate aid – the kind her doctors were unable to tend to without invasive strategies. The Lord’s timing is fascinating!
Jenny is still in need of prayer and support – and whereas her symptoms did disappear as confirmed by her physician, she still suffers physically.
However you try to understand the dynamics of this story, it is an amazing testament to the healing power of God.
Filed under ABCD, Assets Based Community Development, Dignity, Drop In Services, Events, General Poverty, Homelessness, Justice, Miracle on the Streets, Personal Experiences, Poverty, Poverty in Canada, Recovery, Respect · Tagged with break cycle poverty, drop in, drop in service, help the poor, Homelessness, homelessness canada, homelessness ontario, homelessness ottawa, poverty Canada, poverty ottawa, Recovery, Respect
Posted by ken on May 20, 2011 · Leave a Comment
Easter Dinner happened May 19th, a couple of weeks after the event . The delay is typical for us, so our folks can enjoy a special meal after the other agencies have held their own event meals days running – sometimes there will be two turkey dinners on the same day!
Maybe one hundred and fifty at two seatings – it all went smoothly. There were many volunteers, great service, greater interaction with our street friends, and seconds of meals and desserts for all who were interested.
Let me highlight one key interaction that was both powerful and profound. There are two young men, maybe 11 and 12 years old, who have been volunteering at our special dinners for several years. They came with both parents this year, and are both comfortable and capable in their service at the dinner.
I was talking with one of our guests, Bill, after the dinner when our two young volunteers walked by, preparing to depart with mom and dad. I stopped to speak with them and asked them how their day went. Fine, they affirmed. I asked if they had opportunity to visit with any of our street friends, and they said they did not have that chance. I thanked them for coming.
Just then Bill, who had overheard our conversation, joined the conversation and had some specific words of encouragement that he delivered to the two boys. He commended them and their parents for coming out to volunteer and help serve the meal. It was very special to have young people learn how to serve others at an early age he said, and it really meant a lot to him (particularly) and to all the guests (generally) to know that others cared. He spoke sincere words of appreciation and thanks to the young men, and again thanked them for caring.
I could sense Bill’s words carried a great deal of weight as the boys looked up and eagerly listened to this ‘rounder’ (been around a long time) as he expressed his gratitude. It was very real and genuine, and the boys could sense his sincerity. Although the conversation lasted only a few moments, it will be a conversation that the boys may never forget.
It is also typical of volunteers’ interactions with our street friends: no matter how convinced volunteers are that they come to encourage, minister and help, they learn quickly that they are often the recipients of the encouragement, ministry and blessing.
I think it is a principle of the Kingdom. A reversal of the world’s values and expectations. The greatest will be the least, the servant will be the master.
Happy Easter – every day!
Filed under Addictions, Alcoholism, Breaking the cycle of poverty, Dignity, Drop In Services, Events, General Poverty, Homelessness, Personal Experiences, Poverty, Poverty in Canada, Respect, Social, Volunteer Ottawa, Volunteering · Tagged with break cycle poverty, Dignity, drop in, drop in service, help the poor, homelessness canada, homelessness ontario, homelessness ottawa, living on the streets, Make a diference, poverty Canada, poverty ontario, poverty ottawa, Respect, social justice
Posted by ken on March 11, 2011 · Leave a Comment
March winds blow, or it pours rain, minus 30 with the wind chill – or any combination thereof. Only in Canada, eh?
We can look forward to spring, but it seems a long time coming.
No less for our street friends – not that’s the understatement of the year.
Christmas is a time typically when there is a generous outpouring of love and generosity to those on the streets and we are thankful for this. But what about after Christmas?
Maybe we don’t think about it all that much, but the winter is a misery when you are on the move all the time, with no place to rest your usually wet, cold, freezing feet. The laundromat is usually a good place, but it is often the case that the proprietors of the same are on the lookout for people who don’t wash their clothes. The laundromat just beside our offfice entance is a good example. It is common for the police to be called to this place, because some of Ottawa’s homeless population need a warm place.
In extreme cold -whatever that is- I guess it depends on whether or not you are in the cold all the time . Street-engaged people are herded up and forced to go ‘inside’ (not the Chateau Laurier). This experience can be worse that staying outside, because it is yet another violation of their persons (the force that can accompany can be excessive) – there are reasons why people cannot access services.
I guess I’m painting a pretty dark, bleak picture. A bit negative, eh? But it is what it is – I’m pretty sure about that.
What then? Well, don’t forget about those on the streets, even when the weather has some degree of improvement: the nights are still very cold.
Why not think about doing something about this problem? You could contact one of the local agencies in your city and volunteer to do something. Maybe you could give something – time, talents or money. Stop and talk to someone you pass who is panhandling on the streets: you would be surprised how ‘invisible’ someone can become as soon as they sit on a curb with a ball cap and ask for money. Give or not, it’s up to you, but you need to see that this is a real person, with a real story, he/she is where she is, not from choice, but from a cascade of trouble that they could do nothing to change (it usually begins with childhood abuse – how can we hold someone responsible for that?)
Give some change if you like – better a bill. Once you give, forget about what will happen to it. We hold people so very responsible for so little, when we are so careless with the treasures with which we have been blessed.
One thing for sure: we really can’t do nothing about this. In our affluence, remember the poor.
Make a difference. Go out there and change your world.
Filed under About OIM, Addictions, Alcoholism, Breaking the cycle of poverty, Dignity, General Poverty, Homelessness, Injustice, Justice, justice canada, mental health, mental illness, Personal Experiences, Poverty, Poverty in Canada, Recovery, Respect, Volunteer Ottawa, Volunteering · Tagged with Addictions, Alcoholism, break cycle poverty, Dignity, drop in, drop in service, injustice Ontario, Make a diference, poverty Canada, poverty ottawa, Respect, social justice, Street Outreach, Street Youth, Volunteer, Volunteering, walk the streets
Posted by ken on March 4, 2011 · Leave a Comment
Big transition of our drop in this past week from Salvation Army Gladstone Street to Dominion Chalmers U/C on Lisgar. For those who aren’t aware of this prestigous United Church, have a look at photos at http://www.dc-church.org/ A remarkable, extrememly well kept, renovated, bright, cheery place – exactly the kind of place that our street friends deserve to come into for a meal, refreshment and friendship.
Switching from Wednesday to Tuesday and the first of the month when all the cheques are out, and when it is absolutely beautiful and sunny, attendance was a bit low. But, every person is important, and our gift is to come alongside those who are given to us on any day.
I had seen Jacques several times but never had a chance to sit and visit until today. Add to that, Jacques can neither hear nor speak. So I sat across the table and tried to communicate, thinking he might read lips or we could have some sort of communication. He clearly indicated some things to me, one of which was he was not interested in trying to communicate with me (at least in my clumsy manner). I was at a loss, until I looked at the white napkin in front of me, and then caught a glimpse of a pen that my neighbour had placed next to her book. DUH!!
I picked up the pen and napkin and wrote a sentence of welcome.
The transformation was immediate and eagerly accepted. After a few pen exchanges, I went and found some loose leaf and we spent the next while going back and forth, writing like we were age old friends.
Jacques told me days, dates and years of significant events in his life. We talked about the drop in and answered questions that he had since he came through our doors some time ago. Of where he lived, how it was hard to live on ODSP, how old he was, where he was raised and more…
It was refreshing, even exhilerating! I had a friend to talk with, and so did he.
We get so busy with things – and I would be one of the worst offenders. This and that call for immediate attention and we can neglect or overlook the gifts of beauty in the people around us. This is clearly my story with Jacques.
I wonder who the deaf and dumb one really is.
I don’t know why I didn’t think of writing before, but I am thank God that I thought of it this week.
And I thank God for my new friend – my note pal.
I wonder what riches we will uncover as we develop our friendship? I am really looking forward to more.
God help us to slow down and see the opportunities that present themselves to all of us each day.
Filed under About OIM, Biblical, Breaking the cycle of poverty, Dignity, Drop In Services, Events, General Poverty, Justice, justice canada, Miracle on the Streets, Personal Experiences, Poverty, Poverty in Canada, Respect · Tagged with break cycle poverty, Dignity, drop in, drop in service, help the poor, Homelessness, homelessness canada, homelessness ontario, homelessness ottawa, Make a diference, poverty Canada, poverty ottawa, Respect, social justice
Posted by ken on February 25, 2011 · 1 Comment
I sat at the table with three guys at the drop in this week, just starting a hot game of euchre, when Rod asked if he could please ask a question. Everybody looked. “Sure,” I said.
Rod looked at me intently. We were in relationship for a while now, long enough for him to feel comfortable: “Why don’t you pray here at the drop in before meals?”
“Good question,” I replied and went on to explain that whereas we were a Christian agency, that we did pray before each drop in, that many times our volunteers prayed with people throughout the day, and that the servers prayed over the meal before serving, that we did not pray publically before meals because there would be a small percentage of our guests for whom that would be a problem. Some of our folks have been abused by ‘religious’ people, whether at residential schools, or their home towns or somewhere along the story path of their lives. Any kind of prayer for some of our guests, would make them feel very uncomfortable. For the sake of the few, we decided to forgo this common practice.
We continued to talk and enjoyed a good conversation about prayer, people and respect. The whole table became involved in fact, and the other guys felt free sharing their opinions as well (it was the first time for one of the guys to open up and talk in front of me).
The boys had been having some conversations about how other agencies require them to ‘be a part’ of a worship experience for about 40 minutes, then listen to a sermon for another 30 minutes, and then they were allowed to eat. They felt pretty strongly that there was something wrong with this system, and some definite lack of respect for people who were hungry and wanting something to eat.
I defended the particular agency to the guys, because we all know that there is just too much to be done in this world to help others, and people are doing what they think is best when they run a program.
There was talk then about how the worship/preaching/eating group never asked them what they wanted. You couldn’t play cards, and there was no time to visit or talk really, because the music was too loud during ‘worship’, or you couldn’t speak during the sermon time. The food was really good and always fresh, and when you’re hungry, that means a lot. The whole table agreed that the food was great.
I started to be at a loss for words right about then, but really came up with a big zero when Rod leaned across the table, and thoughtfully (and sincerely) asked me, “Do you think they are doing this for us or for them?”
Are we doing this for us or for them?
Million dollar question! A question that deserves serious consideration, or meditation, or maybe even some prayer time. Who are we doing this for? Is it to make us feel better, less guilty, more ‘loving’?
Or is it because ‘the love of God compels us’ to reach out to others?
Wisdom from the streets calls us to examine ourselves, our motives and our hearts.
Now everything has shifted: it’s not about the worship/preaching/eating group – it’s about me.
Filed under About OIM, Biblical, Breaking the cycle of poverty, Dignity, Drop In Services, Events, General Poverty, Homelessness, Justice, Poverty, Poverty in Canada, Recovery, Respect · Tagged with break cycle poverty, drop in, drop in service, help the poor, Homelessness, homelessness canada, homelessness ontario, homelessness ottawa, living on the streets, poverty ontario, Recovery, Respect
