Money/Poverty – KWPeace

Film Screening and Panel Discussion: Bridging Divides: Voices and Visions about Homelessness in Midsize Cities – 7pm on Monday 18 November 2024, Old Post Office library, Cambridge, Ontario

What: Film showing and Panel Discussion: Bridging Divides: Voices and Visions about Homelessness in Mid-size Cities
When: Monday 18 November from 7:00pm to 8:30pm
Where: Old Post Office library, Riverview Room, Reading Room
Location: 12 Water Street South, Cambridge, Ontario Map
Register: https://ideaexchange.libnet.info/event/11792453 (optional, but recommended)

Dr. Erin Dej writes via the Unsheltered Campaign:

Hi friends,

As many of you know, I’ve been doing research the last 4 years on misperceptions of homelessness in mid-size cities, including in Cambridge. The research has all come together by way of a documentary called Bridging Divides: Voices & Visions on Homelessness in Mid-Size Cities. The documentary explores the issue of homelessness, safety, and belonging by showcasing voices from diverse backgrounds, including conversations with individuals with lived experience of homelessness, service providers, business owners, and law enforcement.

We are holding a screening and panel discussion on 18 November 2024 from 7:00 – 8:30 at the Old Post Office Library (12 Water Street South) in Cambridge. It would mean so much if you were able to attend. As you know, Cambridge is struggling right now, so this conversation is more important than ever.

The panel discussion is going to feature Dr. Laura Pin, as well as Marjorie Knight and José de Lima, so you know it’s going to be a great conversation!

You will find all the details in the poster below and in case you’re able to share on any of your social media. All the details are at Wilfrid Laurier University website.

Thanks everyone!

Erin

Download poster: 2024-Nov_Cambridge – Poster_Bridging-Divides.pdf (1.3 MB)

Bridging divides and building perspectives through a dialogue

A powerful documentary featuring voices from diverse backgrounds. Discover new insights on homelessness and explore solutions to build safer, more inclusive communities.

Documentary screening – panel discussion
November 18th | 7:00 – 8:30 p.m.
Old Post Office -12 Water St S,
Cambridge, ON N1R 3C5

FOR INFORMATION AND REGISTRATION VISIT:
UOGUEL.PH/BRIDGING-DIVIDES
REGISTRATION IS RECOMMENDED BUT WALK-INS ARE WELCOME

Movie and Discussion: A Human Picture, 7pm Wednesday 6 November 2024 at the John M. Harper library

What: Movie and Discussion: A Human Picture
When: 7:00pm to 8:30pm, Wednesday 6 November 2024
Where: John M. Harper Branch, Waterloo Public Library
Location: 500 Fischer-Hallman Road North, Waterloo Map
Register: https://calendar.wpl.ca/event/11998737 for both in-person and online by Zoom.

Shared by Basic Income WR:

Join us for a viewing of the short documentary film A Human Picture, about Ontario’s short-lived, but transformational Basic Income Pilot. The session will also include informative presentations and discussions with local experts about this important topic.

The event is being offered in-person and online via Zoom. Please indicate whether your registration is for in-person or online. Those attending online will be sent a Zoom link the day before the event.

Presented in partnership with Basic Income Waterloo Region, a group of community members dedicated to a Basic Income Guarantee as a critical solution to eliminating poverty, responding to the rise of automation in the workforce, and boosting or stimulating the local economy.

Learn more and register at: https://calendar.wpl.ca/event/11998737

Waterloo Region ACORN Day of Action for Anti-Renoviction Bylaws, 1:00pm on Tuesday 27 August 2024

What: Region-Wide Day of Action for Municipal Anti-Renoviction Bylaws
When: Tuesday 27 August 2024 at 1:00pm
Where: Register on Zoom
Contact: Vonica Flear, kw@acorncanada.org Phone: +1‑226‑545‑4359
Website: https://acorncanada.org
Waterloo Region ACORN: https://acorncanada.org/locations/waterloo-acorn/

ACORN members and tenants across Waterloo region are banding together to fight for better protections from bad-faith evictions.

On Tuesday August 27th, Waterloo Region ACORN will be holding a Region-Wide action calling on Kitchener, Waterloo, and Cambridge city councils to enact anti-renoviction bylaws similar to the one passed in Hamilton earlier this year.

On January 17th, Hamilton City Council voted unanimously in favour of the city passing a strong anti-renoviction bylaw called the “Renovations License and Relocation Bylaw.” This happened after a 5 year effort by Hamilton ACORN and several motions passed to direct the creation of a bylaw based on the success of policy from New Westminster, BC. The original bylaw in New Westminster eliminated renovictions since passing in 2019, reducing the total number of renovictions from 333 to zero. The new Hamilton bylaw will require landlords to:

Apply for a licence within 7 days of issuing a tenant a N13.
Provide tenants with a Tenant’s Rights and Entitlements Package
Provide tenants wishing to exercise their right to return to their unit (at the same rent!) with temporary accommodation OR a rental top up for the duration of the renovations.

ACORN members across the Region are ecstatic to see Hamilton pass STRONG tenant protections that will significantly reduce the number of affordable units being systematically removed by landlords taking advantage of the loopholes in Ontario’s rent control measures. Waterloo Region ACORN members will be meeting on Zoom on August 27th to review ACORN’s renoviction bylaw campaign and facilitate phone blitzes to Kitchener, Waterloo, and Cambridge city council offices to call for similar bylaws to be passed in each city.

Maribel Jagorin, Co-Chair of the Waterloo Region chapter of ACORN and currently facing renoviction from her own apartment, says, “There is a big disconnect between the cost of living and income. There is a housing crisis out there. How am I supposed to live? I can’t afford somewhere else, and there’s nothing out there for me. I am fighting for my affordable housing and my rights because everywhere I look I can only see greed and lack of balance. Landlords are privileged!”

Community Dinner at St. John’s Church, 5pm on Sunday 3 March 2024

Laura Hamilton writes:

I wanted to make sure that you are all aware of the upcoming community dinner at St John’s Church this Sunday. The Community Kitchen Co‑op is hosting this in the hope that members of the congregation can learn more about good work that is happening through the Civic Hub. Thompson Tran (of The Wooden Boat) will be preparing the meal, and it will the include Vegan, Vegetarian and Halal options.

Dinner is free or donate what you can. I have also heard murmuring in the church that some folks would like to see the property turned into affordable housing… so this will be a wonderful opportunity for you to share your knowledge of the need for housing over a meal with unsuspecting parishioners.

ALL ARE WELCOME! Please invite your friends! Please register at Eventbrite: Community Dinner.

What: Community Dinner by the Community Kitchen Co‑op
When: 5:00pm to 8:00pm, Sunday 3 March 2024
Where: Upper hall, St. John The Evangelist Church (enter from Duke Street)
Location: 23 Water Street North, Kitchener, Ontario Map
Register: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/community-dinner-tickets-823819043937

Members from local government and the wider community are being invited to make this an opportunity for you to share what you are doing. The Civic Hub is a group of organizations that advocate for our community. Volunteers from the Community Kitchen Co-operative Kitchener-Waterloo Inc are organizing this dinner and will make you feel welcome.

Enter the building on the the corner of Duke and Water – Kitchener – through the accessible entrance on Duke Street.

No Fixed Address: A Talk About Homelessness and Encampments, 6:30pm on Thu 22 Feb 2024

What: No Fixed Address: A Talk About Homelessness and Encampments
When: 6:30pm to 8:30pm on Thursday 22 February 2024
Where: Online only, link sent with registration
Register: Tickets from Eventbrite

With the ever escalating housing crisis, a growing number of people are confronting the harsh realities of homelessness. Despite concerted efforts, community services and shelters are struggling to keep pace with surging demand, leaving many people without access to even these temporary solutions.

Faced with this stark reality, people must forge their own paths to survival, resulting in an increasing presence of makeshift shelters and tents, as residents seek safety and refuge from the often unforgiving elements.

As we grapple with the pressing need for both short-term and long-term solutions to address the root causes of homelessness, the struggle of those living outdoors remains. What can we do to better meet the basic needs, care, and well-being of these people? How can we enhance our approach to this issue, and what proactive steps are other municipalities taking to make a positive and impactful difference in the lives of those affected?

On February 22nd, from 6:30 to 8:30 PM, join host Regional Councillor Rob Deutschmann in this first virtual town hall segment of 2024 focused on homelessness and encampments.

Featured guest speakers include:

Dr. Erin Dej, Associate Professor, Department of Criminology, Wilfrid Laurier University (Waterloo, ON)
Fiona York, CRAB Park Advocate (Vancouver BC)
Margaret Capes, Legal Education Coordinator, Community Law School (Sarnia-Lambton, ON)
Greg Nash, London Intercommunity Health Centre, Director-Complex Urban Health (London, ON)
Chantelle McDonald,London Cares Homeless Response Services, Director of Service (London, ON)
Kaite Burkholder Harris, Executive Direction, Alliance to End Homelessness Ottawa (Ottawa, ON)
Jaime Stief, Community Advocate (Kitchener, ON)
Mike Lethby, (Niagara Falls)

Additional information on our website at WR Community Town Halls.

Say No To Encampment Evictions – Rally 5:30pm Wed 22 June 2022 at Speakers Corner

Download the poster (272 KB)

Say No To
Encampment Evictions
Say Yes To Housing

Stand In Solidarity With Our Unhoused and Vulnerable Neighbours

Rally +
March

Bring Your Signs

Wednesday 22 June 2022 | 5:30pm
Speakers Corner | King & Benton Map
Downtown Kitchener

Protest The Bulldozing Of Encampments, 1pm on Sun 28 Nov 2021 at Charles & Stirling

Sunday November 28, 2021 at 1pm:

PROTEST THE BULLDOZING OF ENCAMPMENTS

At the corner of Charles St. E & Stirling Ave!

Bring a sign that speaks your heart!
“Stop criminalizing homelessness”
“Reallocate the police budget into life-giving services”
“Shelters are full: over 400 sleep rough”
“We want a compassionate community”
“Does this solve homelessness?”

(image of the bucket of a power shovel over sleeping bags and other shelter material)

Bring a donation (only tents, sleeping bags, or cash).

Donations will be given to a nonprofit, working with unhoused people.

On Friday November 26, Waterloo Regional Bylaw, together with police, bulldozed the shelters of unhoused people living at Charles & Stirling.

Please wear a mask and respect social distancing.

A note about Community Suppers from @AAP_KW

A note from Timothy Hegedus of Alliance Against Poverty:

Hi everyone,

I just wanted to let you know that the community suppers that used to be held at St Mark’s church on Wednesday evenings are now being held on Thursday evenings at Trillium Lutheran Church, 22 Willow Street, Waterloo, Ontario Map, phone 519‑886‑1880. (Trillium used be called St John’s Lutheran church.) It is fully accessible. The church is open on Thursday afternoons from 3:30 p.m. and dinner is served at 5:45 p.m. The Community Ministry Chaplain, Rev Susan Cole, is there between 3:30 and 7:00 p.m.

Please spread the word about this.

Thanks,
Tim

Alliance Against Poverty meets on the second Monday of the month, contact aap‑members@kwpeace.ca for more information.