59 replies to this topic

[martini]

I am not trying to guilt or shame you into anything. I am just tired of people complaining there is not enough action on helping the homeless, and then criticizing when someone actually tries to do something to help the homeless.

According to your concerns above, we need to study the problem further before trying to provide any possible solutions? What if I want to collect gloves for the street population this Christmas... should I be criticized because I didn't query the homeless to see if they would prefer socks instead? Is it a useless idea because I didnt show my work?

I get frustrated when people seem to just prefer to complain about a problem rather than try *anything*

Sorry, but you're completely missing my point. I'm not asking to study everything to death before making a move. It's obvious to anyone that handing out socks is a completely sensible and wanted action.

I'm simply questioning this particular voucher plan. It doesn't make sense to me.
Maybe someone will come back here after purchasing and handing out these vouchers to tell me I'm off my rocker. I'd be more than happy to be wrong.

I don't appreciate being told I would prefer to complain instead of doing anything. You don't know me from Adam.

[mat]

Emotions are getting high when it comes to dealing with the homeless issue - not hard to see why. In a small downtown core the problem is obvious, and it ties into perceptions of crime and social degradation.

There is no reason why individual initiatives, handing out clothing etc. should not be part of the action, but we do need real, top down money going to grass roots to alleviate this. Into 2009 expect to see a big jump in the numbers looking to food banks and supported shelter - the families who themselves expected the 'middle class' lifestyle.

5000 jobs gone in forestry, retail sector dropping jobs, government in a 'non-declared' hiring freeze.

[Ginger Snap]

There is no reason why individual initiatives, handing out clothing etc. should not be part of the action, but we do need real, top down money going to grass roots to alleviate this.

I agree, top down and bottom up (is that an actual phrase?)

[mat]

I agree, top down and bottom up (is that an actual phrase?)

LOL - likely not, but it works in sentiment!

[Victoria Watcher]

A non-profit organization that harvests and distributes fruit to food banks and soup ­kitchens says it needs a “major benefactor” to ensure thousands of kilograms of plums, apples and pears don’t end up rotting on the ground this fall.

 

Volunteers with the Life­Cycles Project typically pick fruit and other produce for Greater Victoria homeowners who can’t or don’t want to do it. The harvested fruit — apples, plums, pears, figs and quince — eventually makes it way to the Mustard Seed food bank and as many as 40 other social-service agencies.

 

The organization, which was founded 30 years ago, survives on single-year grants, private donations and volunteers, said Jess Gunnarson, chair of the board of the non-profit ­organization.

 

But after funding sources dwindled last year, the harvest was almost cancelled. “Last year we were faced with having to scale back significantly, as funding had dried up, putting popular programs like the Fruit Tree Project in doubt,” Gunnarson said.

 

 

https://www.timescol...p-going-8138721

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 20 January 2024 - 09:08 AM.

[Nparker]

Meanwhile, the CoV spent $11 million to purchase land for a park nobody wants or needs along a one block strip of Blanshard Street. 🙄

[Victoria Watcher]

Until 2 days ago nobody knew the City was looking for land for a park.

[Nparker]

But we certainly know the city makes highly questionable decisions on how it spends our money.

[UDeMan]

The homeless and people on social assistance have plenty of free time to pick this fruit. Maybe they can chip in and help. Although I wouldn't want same druggie overdosing while picking apples from my tree.

[Tony]

Until 2 days ago nobody knew the City was looking for land for a park.

 

 

City of Victoria strategic plan 2023 -2026 {General framework and goals for the city.)

 

https://pub-victoria...ocumentId=89622

[Victoria Watcher]

This?



We will create more parks, recreation and gathering spaces, and nurture arts, culture, music, sport and entertainment as they create an experiential city.

[Sparky]

To hell with the crappy roads and crime.

[Nparker]

...We will create more parks, recreation and gathering spaces, and nurture arts, culture, music, sport and entertainment as they create an experiential city...

When you govern by the "lipstick on a pig" rule. 

[Matt R.]

That’s too bad, the FTP does great work and adds value every step of the way.

[Nparker]

File Transfer Protocol?

[Matt R.]

lol. Fruit transfer protocol.

Fruit Tree Project.

[FawltyVic]

This?



We will create more parks, recreation and gathering spaces, and nurture arts, culture, music, sport and entertainment as they create an experiential city.

Translation: We're opening up more space for homeless encampments, for drug users to lay themselves out cold and to store their shopping carts loaded with junk.

[Mike K.]

Talking to an RCMP member the other day, a commander of a local detachment no less, he said “everyone from Manitoba west is moving to the Island, they don’t want the cold any more, and follow the services. If you build it they will come and we keep building it.”

[Beacon]

Talking to an RCMP member the other day, a commander of a local detachment no less, he said “everyone from Manitoba west is moving to the Island, they don’t want the cold any more, and follow the services. If you build it they will come and we keep building it.”

 

we keep adding services thinking we will solve the  homeless problem but adding more services just causes more to come, making the problem worse.  It will never be solved and actually will be counter productive since if services are overloaded and problems and disorder results, people will have less "compassion" to help.  By adding more services and not limiting new people they actually are making helping homelessness harder here. For some reason this concept is hard for many folks in Victoria to grasp.

[Nparker]

Misguided compassion is an epidemic in Victoria. I blame UVic.