Homeless in the Glebe: a Compassionate Approach by Trevor Greenway While There Has Been a Noticeable Become Even More Widespread
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Serving the Glebe community since 1973 www.glebereport.ca ISSN 0702-7796 Vol. 46 No. 9 Issue no. 507 FREE October 12, 2018 REVOR GREENWAY REVOR T PHOTO: PHOTO: A shelter constructed of found materials near the old Mr. Muffler shop bears witness to homelessness in the Glebe. Homeless in the Glebe: a compassionate approach by Trevor Greenway While there has been a noticeable become even more widespread. a little nod, a ‘good morning,’ or a increase in street activity in the area – When dealing with the many com- ‘good day’ doesn’t hurt. I think rather The Glebe is one of Ottawa’s most panhandling, public intoxication and plex issues surrounding homelessness than ignoring them, it’s just a nod or cherished downtown neighbourhoods, drug use – these issues are not unique and poverty, such as drug addiction and an acknowledgement that they exist. bursting with young families, a suite of to the Glebe alone. mental illness, experts say that the best You’re a human being and you exist. great shops and restaurants and a bus- According to the Alliance to End approach always starts with compassion. It’s about compassion and empathy. tling entertainment scene. But despite Homelessness, chronic homelessness “I was told when I first entered this They didn’t ask to be there, certainly the cozy village vibe the neighbourhood in the city increased a staggering 21 per industry by one of my social workers on a cold day, begging on the street.” is known for, it’s clear the Glebe is not cent between 2014 and 2017 and, with here to not make eye contact with peo- Tilley spoke of the stigma those immune to the socio-economic issues Ottawa’s population expected to grow ple on the street, but I disagree,” says living on the street face every day, that are plaguing cities, provinces and by another 16 per cent between 2016 executive director of the Ottawa Mis- countries around the globe. and 2031, the situation is expected to sion Peter Tilley. “Sometimes I think Continued on page 2 MARK YOUR CALENDARS WHAT’S INSIDE Oct. 15 ............ Politics of Plastics debate, St. Giles Church, Mon. 7:30 p.m. Oct. 15 ............ Paintings by Heather Bale, GCC Oct. 21 ............ Frankendance, GCC, Sun., 10 a.m.–12 p.m. Oct. 22 ............ Ottawa Municipal Election voting day, Mon., 10 a.m.–8 p.m. Oct. 23 ............ GCA Monthly Meeting, GCC, Tues., 7 p.m. Oct. 24 ............ GNAG AGM, GCC, Wed., 7 p.m. Oct. 26–27 ...... Nosferatu, St. Matthew’s, Fri. and Sat., 7:30 p.m. Oct. 27 ............ Teen Author Fest, Sunnyside Public Library and ......................... Southminster United Church, Sat., noon–5 p.m. Oct. 28 ............ Pumpkin Derby, Lansdowne Park, Sun., 9:30 a.m. Oct. 28 ............ GNAG Halloween Party, GCC, Sun., 4–6:30 p.m. Hats Off to Mickle Macks The Original Annexation of the Glebe Annex Nov. 2 .............. Concerts by the Canal, Édith Piaf tribute, Page 7 Page 12 ......................... 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M Y CM MY CY CMY K 2 Glebe Report October 12, 2018 HOMELESSNESS Continued from page 1 residents should instead donate to local is key in dealing with aggressive situa- “We also live in a city with three shelters, soup kitchens and addiction and tions, as police presence will increase major downtown shelters, and all sorts whether it’s someone yelling insults as mental health agencies, as the money if they identify an area as a hot spot. of food programs around (the) area: they drive by, or the many who breeze will go towards giving these individuals the St. Luke’s lunch club, the Bank past them on the sidewalk without a a solid support network they can rely on. Street emergency food centre, Centre glance. But in his 14 years as execu- Another approach is to purchase a “There is no one solution 507,” says Tilley. tive director at the Ottawa Food Bank, warm meal or beverage for someone, Part of what makes Tilley’s and other and now his on-street work at the Ottawa rather than giving money, but Tilley to the complex issues of social organizations work tough is the Mission, he has seen a common denom- strongly suggests asking first if they lack of government funding. Tilley says inator in a majority of the cases he has are hungry or thirsty, as a situation can homelessness, drug addiction the Mission’s budget has been frozen worked on: childhood trauma. “Not all of escalate quickly, especially when deal- for the last six years. This is why donat- them, but quite often that is the one com- ing with those struggling with addiction. and mental illness in this city, ing to services in Ottawa is important. mon ingredient; just a horrible childhood “It’s the imbalance that the drug addic- Initiatives like “kindness meters” are experience that makes me think, ‘I get tion brings to the brain, to the mental but ignoring the problem won’t raising funds and awareness for social why you are here,’” adds Tilley. health piece,” says Tilley. “Somebody services in both Fredericton and Vic- While it’s clear that residents in the could well-meaning bring that bowl of help either.” toria, with the latter pulling in close to Glebe are compassionate and generous, soup or coffee and suddenly have the sit- $3,000 in a couple of months. While Tilley says there needs to be a balance uation reversed on them and be in a really there are arguments on both sides of between facing these tough issues as a uncomfortable situation.” “Please call 911 if they are aggres- this initiative, Tilley likes the idea, community and remaining empathetic. If this does happen, both Tilley and sive or a danger to themselves or others; more for the awareness, as it encour- He said that giving money directly to the Ottawa Police urge residents to otherwise if they are simply drinking ages people to give to services rather those living on the street can actually call police and to report instances of or intoxicated in public, you can call than individuals. be detrimental to their health and well- aggressive behaviour to authorities. the non-emergency line to have officers There is no one solution to the com- being. He points to an Ottawa Police Centretown Community Police Offi- attend to remove them or take them to plex issues of homelessness, drug statistic that suggests a majority of indi- cer Stephanie Lemieux says that shop detox or a hospital, depending on the sit- addiction and mental illness in this viduals living on the street will use owners and residents should not engage uation,” says Lemieux. “Knowing to call city, but ignoring the problem won’t money to feed an addiction, rather than with aggressive individuals, as public police when these individuals become help either. Increasing the quality of to feed or house themselves. He says safety is the main priority. Reporting aggressive is important. I am in no way life for these less-fortunate individuals saying that people should not give to our will ultimately increase the quality of vulnerable populations, however I do life in our cities and neighbourhoods, think that monies are best provided to and it all starts with compassion. social service agencies directly. (Social organizations) can help people with the COMMUNITY RESOURCES services they offer. Or with extra money, Police: 9-11 (Emergency); 613-236- they can add programs to assist people 1222 (non-emergency) who are in need.” City of Ottawa Operations: 3-11 Book an appointment today with Luc Mahler D.C. CSCS Tilley also noted that residents need The Ottawa Mission: 613-234-1144 or Garrett de Jong, D.C. to be aware of the services that are The Shepherds of Good Hope: 613- available to our vulnerable popula- 789-8210 Treatments Gait Analysis tions – not just the Mission, but the Centretown Community Health Cen- Somerset Community Health Centre, tre: 613-233-4697 Strength & Conditioning Bike Fits the Salvation Army, the Ottawa Food Ottawa Food Bank: 613-745-7001 Bank and the Ottawa Mission’s own www.themvmtcompany.com “Second Stage” home right here in the Trevor Greenway is responsible for Glebe, which has seen more than 100 communications at the Glebe BIA 613.237.4727 I 101 Fourth Ave., Suite 1, The Glebe at-risk men turn their lives around. (Business Improvement Area). A N N I V E R S A R Y FOR FOR ALE ALE S S . S A L E PLEASE NOTE WE WILL BE CLOSED WEDNESDAY OCT 17. TO PREPARE ©2018 Engel & Völkers Ottawa Central, Brokerage. Each brokerage independently owned & operated. Dominique Milne, Broker. Lyne Burton, Sales Representative. IN & AROUND Glebe Report October 12, 2018 3 SEPTEMBER 21 WAS A DAY OF PROTESTS AND TORNADOES PHOTOS BY LIZ MCKEEN Coffee shops in the Glebe had long lines of the caffeine-deprived on Saturday morning after the tornadoes, when many homes and businesses had lost power. Tree down on Fourth Avenue after the tornadoes A tree landed on a front porch on Second Avenue during the tornadoes that hit Ottawa September 21.