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Marginalized voices heard through reportBy Christina CommissoMETROLAND WEST MEDIA GROUP'ER STAFFThis is the hardest work we've doneand it's the first work our fundersOften, Haltons most vulnerable residents are would rather us leave behind. because identified through a number one of the 40,000 it gives a voice."or so living below the poverty line.Much time is spent talking about Haltons Joey Edwardh, executive directorpoor, little time is spent talking to them.Community Development HaltonThats now changed.In a project thats a first for the region, one community organization has captured the stories behind those numbers.Stories of struggle, feelings of abandonment and words of inspiration fill the pages of Community Development Halton's (CDH) latest report: Honouring the Voices of Marginalized Communities.spoke of the dignity costs that comes along with During a public launch in Milton this week, asking for a subsidy.CDH executive director Joey Edwardh described I have a big problem with the services in the work as some of the best done by the organi-town. They have a way of embarrassing you to the zation.point that I have gone without food instead of This project tells you about our neighbours, facing those agencies, said one survey respon-their struggles and their issues. It documents the dent.courage and solidarity in local neighbourhoods, During another group session, a resident she said.shared their experience of saving to afford a mem-Made possible by funding from the Province bership to the local seniors centre, only to find and Region, a community planner was tasked out that many of the activities were trips that have with heading out into Haltons four municipali-additional costs that they could not afford. As a ties, spending time people living on the margins result, they have not been back.of these neighbourhoods, developing relation-But its not all gloom in the 55-page report, ships and trust and having honest conversations rather, its lined with stories of compassion.FREE Recliner Accessory, May 6 - July 5with those who often feel they dont belong.While in the community, researchers came What is going well for you and your family? across a service provider that offers free piano les-What is your biggest headache?sons, a food pantry and clothing room to neigh-Those two questions were the jumping-off bours. They encountered volunteers, who weekly point of hundreds of conservations had at com-cook and serve a healthy meal to families living in THE INNOVATORS OF COMFORTmunity dinners, food banks and in church base-local motels, as well as a day care that orders extra ments. milk to send home with low income moms to When I asked what was going well, people help get their children through the weekend.said family and friends. It wasnt much more than The report notes many of the unsung heroes that, said Rishia Burke, one of the project in the community are those living in poverty researchers.themselves.When it came to headaches, Burke said there One Halton resident living with a mental ill-was plenty to share.ness gathers others with mental health issues and Not surprisingly, lack of money, food, quality organizes a cooking class. Another community jobs, good education and feelings of stress were member saw an abandoned playground and cited as the top five headaches among the 559 turned it into a community garden close to the people who took the CDH survey. Underlying all co-op where she lives.these issues, participants said they often feel a lack If there was just one lesson from this project, of dignity when trying to access community sup-it would be that any process designed to develop StresslessDream recliner and ports and social services.a healthy community needs to include at the ottoman withFREEPersonal TableA lot of people dont want to feel like less for forefront the voice and gifts of those in the com-ask saidCome in today and add an extra level of comfort by adding ing for help, Jennifer Gerrard, one of the munityas many talk about the importance of FREE RECLINER a FREE accessory with purchase. Also SAVE $300 with the community survey team members. Gerrard, an community engagement, action will be empty purchase of a Stressless Sunrise recliner in any color or size. *ACCESSORY Acton resident, shared her own experience about without an emphasis on dignity, the report con-Meticulously designed from the inside out to be the mostwith purchase of any Stresslessrecliner.accessing a food bank.cludes.comfortable recliner in existence, the Stressless recliner Also receive $300 OFFStresslessSunriseOne month, when things got really tight, I People are hungry, weve heard that over and possesses lumbar support that would make a chiropractor in select colors. May 6 - July 5wproud. If youve never relaxed in a Stressless, youve beenent to a church where they give out gift certifi-over again in Halton. People run out of food in the *See sales associate for complete details.pretending to know what comfortable is.cates for a grocery store. When I saw the lineup middle of the week. Ive lived on the welfare diet outside I almost left, she recalled. The man in and its the worst thing Ive ever done, and we front of me had no shoes on, and it was cold out. allow it, said Edwardh.I wanted to give him my shoes. The people who She continued, This is the hardest work were giving out the gift cards were like take this weve done and its the first work our funders and go. There should be more understanding, would rather us leave behind. Because it gives a 3245 Fairview Street Burlington, Ontario L7N 3L1and more dignity on the way things are done. voice.During community meetings and one-on-one To read the Marginalized Voices report, visit (905) 633-7226 1-866-556-7226 www.scandecor.cachats researchers had with participants, many www.cdhalton.ca.Hours: Mon.-Wed. 10-6 Thur.-Fri. 10-8 Sat. 10-6 Sun. 12-513 Friday, June 24, 2011 OAKVILLE BEAVER www.insideHALTON.com