By Tracey Duguay
As the gap between the rich and poor widens, more and more people are becoming part of the group that?s only ?one pay cheque away from homelessness.?
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Community members will gather in Memorial Park for Homelessness Awareness Days |
Whether it?s through the loss of a job, a health crisis or an unexpected and tragic event, many economically vulnerable members of our society balance precariously on the edge of homelessness.
Rev. Harold Shea estimates that there are on ?average? 250 people per city across Canada who have already fallen through the cracks and who don?t have a place to hang their hats.
Shea, the executive director of the Overcomers Group of Sudbury Inc., wants to spark awareness about the plight of the homeless by helping to organize the first annual Homelessness Awareness Days in Memorial Park today (Friday, Aug. 2) and Saturday, Aug. 3. The event runs from noon to 6 pm both days. Sudbury MP Diane Marleau, MPP Rick Bartolucci and Mayor Jim Gordon will speak at the event today.
Overcomers is leading this year?s activities along with the Elizabeth Fry Society of Sudbury and the Sudbury Action Centre for Youth. Other community partners supporting homeless initiatives like the John Howard Society, the Elgin Street Mission, the Canadian Red Cross Society of Sudbury, the Social Planning Council of Sudbury and L?association des jeunes de la rue/Community Outreach, will be on hand to host information booths about services.
?We are calling on all concerned citizens, businesses, government officials and agencies alike to participate in Homelessness Awareness Days,? says Shea. ?As a community, we must continue to develop strategies to help our most vulnerable citizens make a successful transition from the street to a more stable and secure life. There is hope for a brighter future.?
Jessie Raguin, a homeless co-ordinator and office administrator with Overcomers, says the event will be fun for everyone from the very young to the older members of the community. There will be a dunk tank, petting zoo, face painting, basketball, hockey and many more activities.
Attendees will also get to enjoy a barbecue, ethnic foods and great entertainment.
Lazo, a Juno Award-winning reggae band, will perform during the event and also on Saturday night at The Towne House. Part of the proceeds from The Towne House performance will be added to the money raised during the two-day awareness event. Tripple Madness, a group from Montreal, and other local musicians who were once homeless will also perform. For information contact the Overcomers Group of Sudbury at 674-3999.
