Stuck

I try really hard not to post negative blogs, because I want to know that differences can be made, things can change, the world can improve! But today I am feeling stuck.

I am saddened and angered that Calgary City Council struck down the Secondary Suites second reading, and that many people will become homeless, in major credit debt, or other unseen, unspeakable things because these politicians wouldn't do what is best for their citizens. I don't know why they voted the way they did. Maybe some of them got so many angry emails that they were afraid that they wouldn't be voted for in the next election if they did what was right for society.

I am furious that I am in a revolving cycle of never ending poverty and I feel that I have no control over my circumstances.

There was a time where I felt I had control over my circumstances and could make it out of poverty. When I decided that I was smart enough to go back to school, and when I graduated landed employment with a company as a Medical Office Assistant. It was with a company that had helped me when I was a teenage run away, and I wanted to work with them because of the great work they do to help people out of their circumstances, and to support people when they are in the situation they are in. Also, to give back to a company that greatly helped me in my time of need.

But then I became mentally ill, I developed an addiction, I encountered a bully at work, and I quit my job. I became more depressed, because I was not eating my iron, Vitamin D, and Calcium levels dropped. I had a diagnosis of sleep apnea and could not afford the mask. Which probably contributes to the depression. I started antidepressants and was able to get at a level where I could get a job.

And then.......I slipped on ice at a Calgary bus stop. I got up, went to work, and stood on it for 4 hours. What else was I supposed to do? I had to go to my first employment and then go to my second job which was my third day of work.

After 4 hours I was in excruciating pain. I had my parents come and take me to an urgent care centre where they xrayed it. Instead of coming back and telling me that it was bruised, they came back and told me I had broken my patella.

Months later when I was able to get back on my feet and start physiotherapy I was surprised to learn that Alberta Works did not cover this. I contacted the city to see if they could help me with the cost of physiotherapy as it was city property I fell on. They informed me they would not cover this. I don't understand, wouldn't you WANT me to get back to work full time and support me in doing that as soon as I could????

Now, I have developed a lump that we are trying to figure out what it is. It's left me in pain constantly. The only relief is taking 4 narcotic pills twice a day until I see a specialist. (The wait lists are long).  The money for that comes out of my pocket because Alberta Works does not cover that medication, and I've tried many that are ineffective. And I am only able to work 2 days a week for 5 hours with modified work duties.

Sigh.....This post is too long, and I'm tired of complaining. There is some good news today. The NDP Government boosted the minimum wage to $11.20/hour starting October 1, 2015.

It's a start.

The Tool Box

Asset Based Community Development (ABCD) builds on the assets that are already found in the community and mobilizes individuals, associations, and institutions to come together to build on their assets - not focus on their needs. An extensive period of time is spent in identifying the assets of individuals, associations, and then institutions before they are mobilized to work together to build on the identified assets of all involved. Then the identified assets from an individual are matched with people or groups who have an interest or need in that asset. The key is to begin to use what is already in the community.

I saw the ABCD model in my community yesterday in the Grand Opening of The Tool Box, a tool lending library.

It formed when a Community Neighborhood Service (CNS) worker with the City of Calgary came in, talked with neighbors, and found what THEIR assets were in the community. Information was gathered and a key issue coming up was tools for their garden and household.

The CNS worker contacted the local church, Bethany Chapel, who's congregation members were able to donate tools to the library.

Calgary Housing Company had an unused building they were able to provide to the community for the space of the library.

A Recreation Program Specialist came to do an orientation session, making this program a volunteer opportunity with the City of Calgary to give residents a chance to meet new neighbors, develop leadership skills and gain valuable experience, become actively involved in the community, learn about basic tools and their functions, etc. This also gives residents an ability to volunteer with other City of Calgary programs, a reference letter for future employers, and job skills, right in their own community!

But the GREATEST, and most IMPORTANT part of this, is the residents who continue to take part in this. Who developed this. Using their ASSETS to benefit their community for a long-term functioning goal of all community members. Funding will never run out, it's resident run, and residents use the skills they already have, and are given the opportunity to develop their skills to further benefit them in life and society.