Poverty can be a vicious cycle for Barrie's less fortunate; Town hall meeting focuses on needy

from the Barrie Examiner

Posted By By Kelly McShane
Updated 51 mins ago

In 1996, Bill was sued by General Motors in St. Catharines when he said an employee of his company made a mistake on a contract while working in the plant.

"I was surprised how I let myself down. I had dreams for myself, but when I became homeless, I gave up," said Bill, who asked that his real name not be used.

His business' liability insurance only covered him for 80 per cent. He was already using crack cocaine. This was the first time he found himself homeless.

Over the years, Bill, who has since moved to Barrie and was at the Salvation Army shelter downtown last night seeking assistance, has seen a few of his poverty-stricken pals make it out of the cycle by utilizing the services and programs offered by the government.

"They're the people that have the determination and self-esteem. Some people are just out there spinning their wheels," he said.

Ken Dryden, chairman of the Caucus Committee on Social Development, was in Barrie on Saturday to speak on the issue of poverty at a town hall meeting hosted by the Simcoe County Alliance to End Homelessness.

"I think all agencies are doing the best they can, but it takes serious government attention and money to reduce poverty. Right now, the services are scattered and underfunded," said Rick Jones, chairman of the Simcoe County Alliance to End Homelessness and a federal Liberal MP candidate.

"Most of the services are run by volunteers, which they shouldn't be in a rich country like Canada."

Liberals want to see a 30 per cent reduction in poverty for adults, and a 50 per cent reduction in poverty for children within a five-year period.

A large portion of the Liberal platform is a targeted plan to attack poverty by increasing minimum wage, creating a better childcare plan, and assisting more with benefits for working people once they leave welfare.

According to Jones, a lot of people are reluctant to leave welfare if they will receive less money and no benefits by getting a job.

Maj. Roy Randell of Barrie's Salvation Army sees, first-hand, the challenges the homeless face each day. He says support for the working poor is the missing puzzle piece.

"There needs to be sensitivity for the people who are out there working every day, trying to take care of their families, but just keeping their head above water financially. If they make the effort, we need to acknowledge that and show support," Randell said.

Bill says if the money is budgeted properly, welfare can help if used properly, but he sees people who wait for their cheque at the first of the month, are rich for a week, and go right back to where they started.

He would like to see a program where employers are offered incentives for hiring those on welfare. The employee could work for a token payment while they continue to receive welfare, but for only a few months so they can gain job experience, and, hopefully, a full-time position.

"There's a stigma when you're homeless. It makes it difficult to get a job and keep it. I know I have the potential to do better than what I am, but a lot of it is depression and low self-esteem," Bill said.

Bill, whose daughter is currently in university studying to be a teacher, has just started a new job and plans to be out of the shelter as soon as he receives his first paycheque.