So im sure im not the only one, who walks on Douglas and passes by those who have there hand out asking for change. .. Our hearts go out to you. .. As I wrattle my brain, in search of something that I can do to help. ...
1 - Money: ... We all know that its really not worth anything until it is put to use. .. For 5 dollars there is so many different things that can be done...
So what i do ask, is what he/she needs the money for... then i can see if i can provide. .. If money is for some food. .. then i can go to a store and buy the food that he/she wants.
What I would love to be able to ask is; Do you have a place to sleep tonight?
and on a NO. Then I would be able to say that there is an Artists INN Transition house, the address is ... I can take you there to see.
The home is strictly run by volunteers, some of whome are formerly homeless.
and houses travelers of local and abroad. A hostel where it is totally free.
All we ask is that after the basic needs are taken care of, is that your able to help out in whatever means you can, as whatever skills you have and can help.
What i have found is that it is far better to take the aproach of everyone is an artist, and those who are traveling are in transition, still figuring out what there place is in life, and where they want to be.
Travelers are very much like the homeless, many go off and sell most of there belogings and get a backpack, and go off to see the world. .. They go from town to town, and stay in the cheepest place they can find.. even if its a dorm style with many beds .. as long as its shelter, instead of camping somewhere.. and has a shower, and a kitchen area.. thats all they need. ..
The rest is extras and what makes each hostel unique.
What i dont want to have is a hostel that has super strict rules, and doesnt know how to relax, and see that everyone is human. .... We are all born free, and we all make mistakes. .. we know that knowone is perfect, thats what makes us all unique.
But what we also know is that we all have our own special gifts and tallents. .. Everyone does, no mattenhow hard we try to hide it. ...
For many people, it takes that almost manditory Europe trip after highschool, to go and see the world.... so that we must ´Find Ourselves´ .. Although really, it isnt in going places that we find our selves, but that in simply taking that leap of faith and going out of our comfort zone... and we see that whereever you go in the world, everyone has the same basic needs, and wants and desires. ..
Its unfortunate that there is the political system of governments who unwhittingly want to restrict freedom of choice and travel. ...... so although individually we cant make a HUDGE difference.... BUT we can make a BIG difference. .. We can all do our part and help out where we can.
Personally, there is a feeling of self gratification when you know you have helped someone, and you didnt get paid money for it... you helped someone out just in the pure act of kindness. ... not wanting anything in return, ... there is so much that we can provide that... ya, money cant give. ...
What about offering to buy a cup of coffee, and sit down with the person in need, and just isten to there story? ... everyone has a story, and is surprised to learn after sharing it with someone, that there story isn´t really the most profound, just as your story isnt... but it is special, because you lived and survived to tell the tale and talk about the past .. the things that have happened.
EVERYONE, has had hard times and the feeling of regret, yet MOST people do a great job of acting, and dressing up in a costume... be it a suite or in old clothes. ... whatever, they find a way to cope with it... as you look at the many passerbuyers, you can almost tell by there expressions..... are they so self focused that they really stress about it, and physically it shows... or do they look like they ..... I could go on, but i wont... I have read many self-help books,... some might a helped. .. what i did learn is that the basic point is that all we can do as the general public who walks by is to just take a few moments and offer to learn what it is that they want... as really money doesnt matter, what does matter is what you can do with it, and how you are able to be of service to other people... ..and by listening to what people re saying and asking, you can be of help.
This is why i want to open up an Artists INN Transition Hostel, this way it can be a home for those who dont have a perminent home. .. Whats special about this place is that it is totally free, and is also the place, for say... the Needle Exchange, and for counceling, and for the food bank, and for people who can draw, paint, play music, write... people who can use a computer.. and people who are great at listening and people who are great at sharing stories. ..
So having the emphaisis on it being a hostel for Artists INN Transition, and promoting the fact that the purpose is to be simply a great place for people to spend the night, and to learn from other travelers, and to share there stories. ...
It doesnt matter where you came from before you enter the hostel, if you have have been traveling... eithor abroad or local traveling, and need a nice hot shower and a place to fold out your sleeping pad, and sleeping bag... thats the basics.. .. once more things can be donated, then the better the service can be. .. so making full use of all of the Community services available would be a big thing. .. and have all the relevent information easily available.
... if people need to have the various forms filled out for different places, then we could probably have someof those forms available, and be of assistance to help them out. ..
Whats great is that we can have volunteers who are trained in every field, and be able to help.. doctors/ nurces / psyciatrists, people who are trained in music and the different arts.. people who know the different computer skills, people who know building and maintence, and people who know all the inns and outs, these all can be provided by volunteers. ..
So anyway, i dont know if i have the tallent myself to get the people together who can make it happen, but i certainly can help in the details and the vision. .. I guess its rather streight forward... as long as those who work there do so and are not getting paid, thats the main thing... that sure, people would have other things todo, ... i feel my job is to keep the ball rolling and do what i can to get the right people together who can make it work.
A building was squatted in downtown Victoria in solidarity with the APC squat and to demand that the regional governments and provincial governments build social housing. The Victoria riot squad shot tear gas into the building and arrested former APC member and Victory Squat resident Craig. 