Read this first. Last spring, in response to the intersecting crises of housing, opioids and COVID-19, two new city shelter facilities opened in midtown Toronto. It was a difficult time for our community, with significant concerns about safety, and a public discourse about privilege, addiction, mental health, and vulnerability. My city councillor reached out to me in the summer to ask if I could help facilitate healing, based on my particular skill set and previous initiatives. We quickly connected with local, like-minded people, businesses and not-for-profits to brainstorm some ideas. Shelter staff told us that the number one priority is supporting residents in building the skills and resilience to attain and maintain permanent housing. I was prepared six months ago to start a collaborative project ... but was lacking the resources. While the staff at the shelter are eager to have me there, they don't have a budget for the program. While the city has made some money available for COVID-related projects, this proposal doesn't meet their criteria. It isn't in the mandate of the BIA or the local faith communities to fund this. Without secure, reliable financial support, it is very difficult to make this kind of initiative come alive. As much as Canadians pride ourselves on our "universal healthcare" system, the reality is that it is neither universal, nor "health" care. Until we ensure that health and happiness are core measures of success, as opposed to gross national product and wealth accumulation, we will all continue to suffer, some much more so than others. While volunteerism is honourable and important, the responsibility to ensure the health and well-being of our most vulnerable should not fall on the altruism of the few. It is society's collective responsibility to ensure we are all okay - not only locally, but globally. I volunteer my time in many ways, and always have. In fact, I left my long-time private practice at The Neighbourhood Clinic (great place - check them out!) in order to focus more on higher-level advocacy and health promotion. However, it is unsustainable to expect individuals to consistently contribute their time, energy and expertise when inequity is a structural problem and a community responsibility. Currently, our publicly funded model designates a tiny percentage of resources to health promotion initiatives. Those who need these interventions the most often can't afford to pay out-of-pocket (in fact, poverty is one of the most significant determinants of poor health). While initiatives can be funded by philanthropy, this cycle often moves slowly, and can be hampered by rigid criteria and bias. The philanthropy model itself problematically relies on wealth accumulation, and perpetuates power differentials. Another approach, which can be referred to as "social innovation," centers collaboration and creativity in an effort to address big problems in society. It operates outside (and/or integrates) the conventional triad of public/profit/philanthropy funding models. With a colleague, I started Water and Wood, a not-for-profit (currently unincorporated) that aims to provide group-based health promotion in a way that benefits not only those who are able to pay for it, but also those who can't. We have a strong history of sharing our skills and knowledge with organizations that have limited budgets and/or serve marginalized populations. We think of ourselves kind of like Robin Hood - using the assets of those who have them to benefit those who don't. Unlike Robin Hood, however, we want those who contribute to do so willingly, grounded in a shared vision of making the world a better place. 2020 was an incredibly challenging year for all of us, although in diverse ways. Some of us have been able to pivot to working and schooling while at home; others have struggled to make ends meet. Some have lost loved ones, while others have used the time to reinforce relationships. This difficult year has shown how huge our hearts are. We've connected to one another on the street and through social media, sharing resources, accessing what we need, and giving what we can. When I shared that I had been cooking for others in the city who were experiencing food insecurity, unsolicited contributions for the cost of the ingredients came in. I wonder about this project? The reality is that we will continue to experience upheaval in our community until there is radical, systemic change. The COVID vaccine (whenever it comes) will not inoculate against food insecurity, unstable housing, or the stress of an oppressive and unpredictable world. While many of us in this neighbourhood may be fortunate to not experience this kind of precariousness, many do, through no fault of their own. Shelter residents have told me that they have not felt welcome in our community. What an impact it would make to have this project funded by our neighbourhood; if it were me, I'd feel wrapped in love! TO DONATE TO THIS PROJECT, PLEASE VISIT: https://gofund.me/3e0e78fd
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