Did you know that people are homeless in Wawa?

 

I live in Wawa, Ontari, and I am homeless.

I have asked for help to write this piece, as I struggle with access to computers and the Internet. I want to just clear the air for those who are saying, “I deserve my current situation and that my life would be different. If, I had made better choices.” You are absolutely right about my life being different if I had made better choices.

I fully accept responsibility for my bad choices and my moments of inaction that have created a difficult outcome. I take full accountability for those bad choices every single day. The difficulty with this, is that once people have formed an opinion about someone in my situation, it is nearly impossible to overcome. I don’t need you to feel sorry for me or ostracize me. If you want to make a difference, please just try to understand without judgment.

Please talk to me, please see me.

What I want people to know, is that we are here. We, the homeless of Wawa. The ones who have access the community safe bed, and then cannot find affordable housing to move into when our time is up. Did you know there is little availability for the Safe Bed in Wawa – it is always occupied.

Did you even know Wawa had a Safe Bed for men who are homeless or transient?

We sleep at the beach after everyone has gone to bed after they are finished walking their dogs. We borrow couches at the home of a friend or relative. We sneak into entryways of buildings, catch a few hours of sleep – before we are discovered. We have asked the OPP for help, and they have been supportive to connect us with local services that just don’t have enough funding or space for us. We have called every landlord who will not rent to us because of our reputation. We have offered to pay our rent directly to the landlord from ODSP or Ontario Works. Some of us have offered to pay cleaning services for apartments just to appease the landlord to give us a try.

We are Unseen, Unknown, and Unwanted.
We struggle with mental illness, addiction, lack of skills, unemployability, and lack of support.
We attend the food bank, and Iris place, and Michipicoten First Nation’s Soup and Bannock Fridays.
We attend the hospital sometimes just so we can eat, will be warm for a few hours.
We go to Algoma Public health to see if the Safe Bed is available that night.
We go to the police because they have helped us.
We go everywhere we feel someone will care for us enough to listen and try to give us a little bit of hope.

Imagine for one second or maybe even for minute.

If we had the support, we could address our mental issues which would then lead to improved ability to become employed. Which would then lead to being able to afford an apartment. Imagine if there were a few employers that would give us a chance, along with a support system to facilitate our skills and assistance with maintaining employment, and safe, affordable housing. Imagine if we could overcome the stigma of homelessness, mental illness, and addiction.

Well, Wawa, you are an amazing little town that has overcome difficulties, time and time again. You have met so many challenges and persevered through. I don’t know what can be done to address the homelessness and Wawa.

What I do know is that many of you don’t know that we are here. I want you to know that there are homeless people in Wawa, and that there are more than just a few of us.

Thank you.