Covenant House Vancouver

"Jagrup Brar, MLA for Surrey-Fleetwood accepted the Challenge to live on $610 for the month of January. He is spending half the month in Surrey and half in Vancouver. While his experiences are not the same as people on living on welfare as he was in good mental and physical health when he started and he knows it will end after a month, none the less he will live on $610 and discover how little money that is. He is also meeting many other people on welfare and in poverty and learning of their experiences." From http://mlaonwelfare.com/

To learn more about Jagrup Brar's experiences click here and here.

What do you think about BC's Welfare rates? Could you survive on $610.00 for a month or more? 


Photograph by: Ward Perrin, PNG 
The Province Newspaper, January 30 2012

As many of you may have heard Vancouver is now the second most expensive city for the housing market among mainly English-speaking cities. As a renter, I know what a challenge it is to find safe, clean and affordable housing. My partner and I both work full-time and make an okay living, but it is still a struggle for us to find affordable accommodations that aren’t disgusting. Knowing my own struggles, I know how much harder it is for our youth to find a place to live.

Often they are making minimum wage or may be on welfare as they get their lives back on track, so finding a place to live is a struggle. We are lucky to have two housing workers who help our youth to find affordable accommodations; they help them move and teach them the life skills around working with landlords and learning how to apply for a place. We also are lucky to have ROP (Rights of Passage) where youth can live for up to two years at a very reasonable rate while getting the support they need and learning important life skills.

Below is a video that the City of Vancouver has put out regarding renting in Vancouver. What do you think about the cost of living in Vancouver? Do you have any ideas to make it more fair and affordable for everyone?

The time is 1:00 pm on a Sunday afternoon and I am being radioed by the front desk worker for lunch coverage.  I quite enjoy this hour of “peace” because being an introvert, this time allows me to recharge my youth working batteries and charge into the afternoon.  Several minutes pass and I sink back into the glorious comfort of the front desk throne contemplating a quiet hour answering calls, feeding walk-in youth and conversing with them.  But then… BAM! The entire population of Vancouver has decided to drop off tons of clothing and house ware between the hours of 1:00 pm and 2:00 pm. Wowzers!

I summon super hero-esque powers to multitask beyond my wildest dreams, answering phones, writing receipts, thanking donors, letting shelter youth in and out, pressing buttons, and sweating bullets.  The hour is up; I’m 5 lbs lighter and finally have time to reflect.  I am overwhelmed at the sense of community.  So many people had taken time from their weekends to donate and give pieces of themselves to help those that are less fortunate.  It also really hammered home the fact that the front desk staff does an amazing job as the “face” of Covenant House.  Their job is hard.  Those guys are superhuman.  I need a quick lay down.

Today started as most do: up at 6:30am, a stretch and then quickly throwing on my sweats to take my big old dog for a walk. We left through the back entrance that opens to an alley, and what did I see as I started off my walk but a female prostitute exiting a minivan. I watched her as she got out of the vehicle, pulling on her coat.  We crossed the street at the same time in opposite crosswalks and I was filled with so many emotions that I spent the rest of my walk trying to process what I saw.

I was sad and almost sick to my stomach for what that woman just had to do. She looked rough like she had been on the streets for some time and had a hard life. I wanted to hug her and make it all better. At the same time I was so angry that this man, who probably has a wife and kids, was paying for sex. Was he safe? Is he putting his wife at risk? Thoughts like that went through my mind. I was also annoyed that this was happening a few blocks from several elementary schools and in a neighbourhood filled with families and young children. I felt guilty for feeling like I didn’t want this in my neighbourhood. I felt like I should have done something. Should I have yelled at him and tried to shame him? Should I have taken his licence? But I didn’t take any action, I spoke no words to him or her, I just continued my walk and thought.

We are always so happy to hear from a family member or friend of a youth we have helped. This letter arrived through email late last week and it was a great way to end off a busy week. Thanks for your kind words!

Dear Covenant House Staff,

Last week we shared with you an interesting opinion piece that The Vancouver Sun published in response to Vancouver City’s Plan regarding sex trade and what the City's course of action will be in the coming years.

Daphne Bramham of The Vancouver Sun had this to say today in response to the plan, “Bureaucratic not brave, it's hard to see how this plan will prevent anyone from entering prostitution or make it safer for anyone regardless of whether they're providing sexual services by choice, coercion, or out of desperation.”

Be sure to read both opinion pieces and The City’s Plan and share your thoughts about this topic.

“Les Kingsley is sixteen, skinny and scared. He spends his days trying to get through life while dodging bullies at work, school and home. Curiosity and kindness lead him to help a patient, who is not entirely what he seems to be. A friendship develops and Les discovers strength, courage and wealth that he never knew before. But, the new mentorship brings greater risks than high school bullies. Les soon becomes a target on both sides of the law and is forced to make hard decisions about right, wrong, family and loyalty.”

I wanted to share a great book with you it is called "Selo" by Doug Setter and it is about a young man dealing with bullying and the general struggles of being a teen (see blurb above).

I think this book would be a great tool for teachers or even parents/caregivers to start discussions about bullying. The simple down to earth language would be good for teenagers and is not too hard of a read. This would best for 13 and up as there is some strong language and scenes of violence.

Be sure to check out this relevant coming of age story.

Bullying is a common problem among kids, youth and even adults. Bully can happen in person, over the phone and online. Bullying is unacceptable and you have a right to feel safe and all of us need to stand up against bullying.

Below are some resources to help with bullying whether you a parent, teacher or youth these resources can provide information and help stop bullying.

Where to get help:

Kids Help Phone
1-800-668-6868

Vancouver Crisis Line
604-872-3311

http://www.bullying.org/

http://www.bullyingcanada.ca/

http://www.stopabully.ca/

http://stopbullyingcanada.wordpress.com/