View From the Homeless Streets

Some people are carriers of negativity. They are storehouses of pent-up anger and volatile emotions. Some remain trapped in the victim role and act in ways that further their victimization. And others are still caught in the cycle of addictive or compulsive patterns.

Negative energy can have a powerful pull on us, especially if we’re struggling to maintain positive energy and balance. It may seem that others who exude negative energy would like to pull us into the darkness with them. We do not have to go. Without judgment, we can decide it’s okay to walk away, okay to protect ourselves.

We cannot change other people. It does not help others for us to get off balance. We do not lead others into the Light by stepping into the darkness with them.

Mr Reisig hastens to assure the reader "first let me say I am not without compassion" then proceeds to demonstrate a total lack of compassion. He does however, demonstrate his prejudice, worship of the almighty dollar, an ability to jump to unjust conclusions to support his intolerance, stereotyping, fear mongering, a total lack of generousity of the spirit, ill will and an barbaric inhumanity to his fellow man.

If Mr. Reisig thinks it is so easy to find solutions to what is a very complex situation that he condemns the Mayor for pausing to think and consult with the community, he is the one whose intelligence should be questioned.Should Mr. Reisig feel insulted by my drawing attention to his demonstrated lack of brainpower, he may prove me wrong by laying out his miraculous quick, easy, neat and tidy solution to the issue of homelessness.

Homelessness is a community problem and will require the community to begin to address the needs of the diverse group of people who make up the ranks of the homeless in Abbotsford.

You may not have expected Partnerships BC to lead to an article on the homeless but it did. I had a quote from Liberal Dave Hayer about the governments policy on the homeless, which I was sure should be an article for my website about being homeless in Abbotsford – http://www.homelessinabbotsford.com/. But I just could not get a handle on writing it. Until I read about you, your questions and the information about salaries at Partnerships BC. I have included the article below in case you are interested in reading it.

As I say in the article I am interested in any of these high $$$,$$$ salary positions in order to ‘grow out of my lifestyle of living on the street (aka homelessness)’. Perhaps, if the opportunity should present itself, you could enquire of the appropriate government member (minister) where I might seek and find such a lucrative position? After all “The best way to help the homeless is to make sure they have and opportunity to find a job” – and I would seize the opportunity for any similar (to Partnerships BC) position.

Thank you for your time and attention

‘abbotsford christians’:

Those who go to church every Sunday, talk the talk, but whose actions fail to even begin to walk the walk. Or in the words so well written to the local paper:

“Jesus didn’t praise them for building beautiful churches with wonderful programs, instead, he praised them for feeding the hungry, clothing the needy, sheltering strangers, and taking care of the sick and imprisoned. Jesus said that whatever you do to the least of these, that is what you are doing to him.If we want to be known as a Christian community, all of us need to join the ranks of those who are doing what Jesus actually told us to do. Let’s start meeting the needs of those in Abbotsford who have the least. While the needs of the least of these in our community are so wholly unmet, how dare we even begin to take a moral stand. It will only be regarded as gross hypocrisy.”

I read that piece of idiocy of Jeffrey Hansen-Carlson in the April 14, 2006 Times. With representative such as this it is no wonder the Left is often viewed as being 11 items short of a dozen. I have no idea what alternate reality version of Abbotsford H-C inhabits, but in the REAL abbotsford the Mayor and Council have take a giant step into the reality that is Abbotsford by acknowledging that homelessness is a pressing issue they have to begin to deal with. I would point out to H-C that as part of considering the many facets of homelessness the Mayor and Council will have to confront and consider the facts on drug use, addiction and treatment.

At this point in time it seems to me to be more beneficial and to have a greater potential for starting to address the ills oft he homeless and of addiction to salute the Mayor and Council for taking their first tentative steps into the real world of the streets of Abbotsford.

H-C might want to pay a little more attention to actual events and avoid looking as out of touch with events in the real world as he accused our local politicians of being. Although now that I re-consider , anyone who would use the word "gleefully" with regards to living on the streets and having to prostitute oneself to support one's addiction is not only out of touch with reality, they have moved from the idiotic to the asinine.

I take pen in hand to salute Mayor George Ferguson for not only his common sense but his BRAVERY in reaching out to the homeless who are camping out in the woods across from the Abbotsford News> I have no doubt that the NIMBY's and other like minded self-centered people are jumping all over the Mayor in terms that would make you think he was committing some horrendous crime by reacting with thoughtfulness and humanity to people in need. People who know the mayor personally tell me they are not surprised he has reached out for he is a kind and caring man. The feedback I have from the homeless who have the opportunity to meet and speak to Mayor Ferguson it that they found him to be down to earth and a considerate man.

So Mayor Ferguson two big thumbs up for the bravery you are showing. There are many citizens who not only support you in this manner but wish to support you, and for your support, in addressing other pressing need of the homeless. With your help and leadership Mr. Mayor, we can rally the good citizens of Abbotsford to reach out a helping hand in getting their fellow man (and woman) back on their feet. To help them to face and deal with their personal problems, to find employment, find homes and take back their lives. Showing communities across CAnada what a focused, caring community can accomplish.

As for the ME, ME, ME people who are no doubt driving you crazy Mr. Mayor - ignore them. at this time of Easter I remind you of those who stood along the route of Christ's path to Calvary; jeering, striking, spitting - mired in their own self-indulgent, self-centered, self righteousness. All human communities seem to have these negative members, whether in biblical times or in present day Abbotsford.

So George, if I may be so bold, stand tall and firm in the humanity of your actions. I call upon the generous of heart and the thoughtful of my fellow citizens to phone, e-mail or write to let the Mayor know of your support for him in his bold leadership and actions.
I remind all readers of the other side of the Easter season. this is a time of resurrection, of re-birth. Christ spent much of his time among the poor and those in need, instructing his followers to help these, the poorest of their fellow man. Let us honour His Words by seizing the opportunity Mayor Ferguson has given us to step forward and be 'good neighbours', not only to this small group but to all the homeless in our city. Let us walk in the Light and make this a season of re-birth for those of our fellow citizens most in need. CARPE DIEM.

I enjoyed the letter of Rodney Gibson and the points he raised. He very concisely expressed many of the points I find so frustrating about this City’s administration and politicians. “There is no reason why issues time and time again get put on the back burner to be dealt with in the future.” Since July of 2005 the city’s refrain has been that social problems would be addressed when the Social Planner reported on what needed to be done. And what did the citizens get? Not action or ideas, just more stalling via more study and committees. With pressing major social issues those responsible ducked their responsibilities.

I would like to add that I think a Major need in this City is for some Leadership. Currently the city just drifts along rudderless, scrambling to avoid addressing pressing issues. “It’s a city.” “The future is now here in Abbotsford.” When I speak of Leadership I am not speaking about an office or position (which should be obvious with regards to this administration and politicians) but about the capacity and ability to lead. Leadership is about providing direction, about ideas and vision, about providing inspiration to the city in tackling its problems, about having a clue and a willingness to seek out solutions to problems one is facing. It is not about denial, denial, denial – which is what we currently get.

Leadership is about taking ownership of ones responsibilities. Leadership is about taking control of the problems, issues and challenges facing Abbotsford and solving them, not leaving them to fester and grow. One only needs to look at how the current administration and politicians have procrastinated on what Mr. Gibson calls “the issues that really are hurting Abbotsford – addiction and homelessness” to see the total lack of thinking, ideas and leadership. While I agree, “You need big thinkers in a big city” I would like to add a rider to Mr. Gibson’s statement. To make the changes and implement the big thoughts and ideas that this City so badly needs, we need to get something that a big city also needs badly – Leadership.

James W Breckenridge
Abbotsford

I was sent a copy of the ‘pamphlet’ that Mr. Teichroeb claimed was given to the homeless as they were being forced to relocate in order that the city could ‘clean up’ the site they were occupying. Mr. Jim Wright forwarded it to me after he had received it from the City Manager of Bylaws.

1. This is a revised letter. In the original I failed to note the May 2005 revision date. I also could not find the Park Inn Hotel when I searched for Hotels and Motels in Abbotsford. I mistakenly thought that perhaps it was one of the hotels the city had earlier torn down, but being uncomfortable with making an assumption I widened my search (experience is that assumptions can cause problems, so I went back to widen the search in hopes of having fact not assumption) Further research turned up at 2509 Pauline Street: Park Inn Cold Beer & Wine Store; Park Inn Hotel – listed as a Bed & Breakfast; Station Pub & Restaurant. I am not sure what use this is to the homeless not of the wisdom/reason of including a wine and beer store and a pub on a list that is suppose to be of assistance in overcoming homelessness.

2. “General Housing Services”. I would never have considered a Motel to be “general housing services”. Calling a Motel “general housing services” is meaningless gibberish of the first order. Besides at $66.00 a night, if you can afford Super 8, you can afford housing in Abbotsford.

3. Should any readers of this letter have the misfortune to need to seek shelter and the much greater misfortune to be depending on the city for help and/or information in finding shelter (or help) do not waste time seeking the “William Booth Emergency Shelter” on Morey Street. Not there. And of course the Salvation Army Share & Care Centre has relocated.

4. Since this came from Gordon Ferguson it would appear that Mr. Teichroeb is not alone as a member of the city administration who lacks the ability to apply intelligent thought to the homeless situation. Why else would one be handing out an out-dated John Howard Society pamphlet (for newly released prisoners) to the homeless (note: I have not been able to locate a relocated homeless person who actually was handed this pamphlet). One would reasonable expect that city officials should be aware of major changes (front page reports in the local papers) in the city, such as the move of the Salvation Army.

Re: City’s social needs identified, documented

Your headline concerning the travesty of a report from the Social Planner is misleading in that it suggests that there is more than fluff and filler in the report. The report contains nothing of a definitive nature. It does contain the claim of extensive study and consultation from which no ideas or recommendations apparently emerged. This total lack of any substance also means that the articles closing line: “More details will be published in Thursday’s edition of the Abbotsford News” is pointless since there are no details to report. (Details: to report or relate minutely or in particulars; to name or state explicitly.) For months the city refrain has been: ‘we cannot act until the Social Planner reports what it is that we should be doing’. What were the brilliant plans and ideas brought forth from the Social Planner?

That the following recommendations proposed in “Abbotsford Cares: Agenda for Social Planning in the City of Abbotsford”, be approved:

1) organize a Social Sustainability Advisory Committee;
2) develop a Social Development Master Plan;
3) develop an Affordable and Accessible Housing Strategy; and
4) respond to opportunities for city involvement in social development

It appears that the best plan they could come up with is that the City administration continue to sit around doing nothing except claim they are doing something and trying to appear to be taking action to fool the public. The final line “respond to opportunities for city involvement in social development,” seems to suggest that the only hope for addressing any of the City’s pressing social needs and problems lies outside the City administration. Outwardly it appears the City’s plan is to sit around until citizens or groups begin to take action on their own, giving the City a chance to “respond to opportunities.” Unfortunately, experience suggests that any response from the City is more than likely going to be negative and add to the problem(s) being addressed.

Looking at it, this entire episode resembles nothing so much as a Farce (A ludicrous, empty show; a mockery), which would be humourous if the consequences were not so disastrous for those who so desperately need help. Seeking Leadership and Action from City leaders and administration, the citizens madly treading water in an effort to merely survive, were instead tossed an anchor. Moving this travesty from Farce to Tragedy.

James W Breckenridge
Abbotsford.

Editor, Abbotsford Times

I just want to clear up a misunderstanding arising from the failure of the Times to properly put in quotation marks and use small letters instead of capitals. In my original letter sent to the Times and posted on the View from the Street page of homelessinabbotsford.com it was ‘abbotsford christians’. The use of small letters and quotation marks was to make it clear I was referring specifically to Gertie Pool and her like, her fellow ‘abbotsford christians’ as opposed to the practicing Christians of our city.

Those Christians who not only talk about their Christian principles but practice them in their daily lives. It disturbed me when I spoke to Gordon and his fellow Christians as they ministered to the hungry homeless and poor, that this failure on the part of the Times to use quotation marks and small letters to distinguish between the two groups (practicing and non-practicing) would cause him to think I would paint the Christians in our city with the same brush I would apply to the ‘abbotsford christians’.

Many Christians throughout the City strive to help those of their fellow citizens in need. If any of these felt I do not appreciate them, please stand corrected – I truly admire and appreciate your willingness to practice your Faith in your daily lives. In fact, the point I had hoped to make in my letter to Gertie Pool is that this city would be far better of with more Christians like you, who live your Faith as opposed to those who only talk their ‘faith’.

With apologies,
James W Breckenridge

Editor: Abbotsford Times, RE: letter of Gertie Pool

Ahhhh, Gertie Pool, ‘abbotsford christian’ extraordinaire. To genuinely see true Christian principle degraded one only need read your mean-spirited, cold-hearted and judgemental letter.

While I was aware that the ranks of the homeless were growing, since Abbotsford lacks enough true Christians such as Gene Klassen to help the unfortunate back onto their feet in keeping with the loving teachings of Jesus. I just had not realized that 62% (20 million as per Ms pool divided by the estimated total population of 32.5 million) of Canadians were now homeless or poor.

I was unable to find the rider cited by Ms Pool “take care of the poor, but not the greedy necessarily”. Perhaps Ms Pool would care to share where she found this rider in the bible? I also could not determine where she is looking when she sees “excellent social services, welfare system and dedicated child and welfare administration”. These do not exist for those who actually have to deal with them. Unfortunately the bulk of the giving that earned “most generous giving community” was to the churches who horde the money for fancy buildings, sending their children abroad for free travel – oops - I mean to help the homeless in foreign countries and for hiring more pastor to generate more “generous giving”.

I certainly agree that it is necessary to help the homeless overcome their problems. But that is a little hard to do if they are focused on finding the food and shelter needed to survive. I also must agree with the sentiment that the “command to feed the hungry encompasses a far broader area than filling the stomach only”. I just have not been able to devise how one would reach Ms Pool and her fellow ‘abbotsford christians’ in a manner that would permit one to inject a little Christian Charity and Principles into their souls. But as a matter of faith I am sure it can be done.

Editor, The News:

I have been living in Abbotsford for 15 years now. As a homeless person, I travel the city almost every morning. What I see when I look around is not a very pleasant sight.

I see teenage hoodlums walking on the downtown streets. They move in packs as if tied together by strings. It is as if these adolescents pile up into herds like cattle wherever they see room available for them.

Just yesterday I saw a homeless man looking for pop cans from the garbage because these young miscreants are to lazy and thoughtless to bother recycling.

I see people every day, pushing buggies filled with the garbage these ill-mannered striplings litter the environment with.

These thoughtless punks make Abbotsford look filthy, unsanitary, and like it is an unpleasant place to live.

It is not only in the morning this is happening. It is through the whole day, mostly at night.

Is this the way we want people to see Abbotsford? I do not think so.

As we all know, Vancouver is hosting the winter Olympics in 2010. Many people will be coming to Abbotsford, and athletes may also be coming to use our arena to practise.

I don’t think many people who come here would like to see our streets filled with juvenile delinquents. These reprehensible hooligans are nothing but a bad impression on Abbotsford.

I used to see Abbotsford as the “City in the Country,” but I no longer do. My question really is: Why is city council not doing anything about these black sheep whippersnappers?

What’s happening in Abbotsford is not so great. It’s time that city council took action and started doing something productive for once so Abbotsford can be the “City in the Country” again.
James W. Breckenridge
http://www.homelessinabbotsford.com/
Abbotsford

PS: Perhaps G. Saini would care to correct the demonstrated ignorance on the subject of the homeless by leaving that nice sheltered existence, venturing out into the real world and learning a little about real life by volunteering at the Cyrus Centre for at-risk youth. More information on the Centre is available on the web at www.cyruscentre.com.


G. Saini's Original letter for you information

Editor, The News:

I have been living in Abbotsford for 15 years now. As a young high school student, I take the bus to school almost every morning. What I see when I look out the window is not a very pleasant sight.

I see homeless people waking up on the downtown streets. They have made clothing lines by tying strings to trees. It is as if the homeless pitch tents wherever they see room available for them.

Just yesterday I saw a homeless man looking for pop cans from the garbage outside my school.

I see homeless people every day, pushing buggies filled with their belongings.

The homeless make Abbotsford look filthy, unsanitary, and like it is an unpleasant place to live. It is not only in the morning this is happening.

It is through the whole day, mostly at night. Is this the way we want people to see Abbotsford? I do not think so.

As we all know, Vancouver is hosting the winter Olympics in 2010. Many people will be coming to Abbotsford, and athletes may also be coming to use our arena to practise.

I don’t think many people who come here would like to see our streets filled with homeless people.The homeless are nothing but a bad impression on Abbotsford.

I used to see Abbotsford as the “City in the Country,” but I no longer do. My question really is: Why is city council not doing anything about the homeless?

What’s happening in Abbotsford is not so great. It’s time that city council took action and started doing something productive for once so Abbotsford can be the “City in the Country” again.

G. Saini
Abbotsford