I'd never realized how desensitized I'd become to the plight of the homeless over just the last couple of years. I used to offer money on occasion, and thought about the greater issue all the time... at one point had an idea of operating a small equipment shop of sorts, with rental options and first-time free deals, where they could pick up mostly art and music based tools for a chance to earn money more easily around town. Imagined volunteers helping them develop relevant necessary skills, maybe an official system for calling time-slots at key locations... then figured the entire project would be taken advantage of as an excuse not to solve the real issues causing so much homelessness in the first place. That, or I'd be criticised for exploiting the homeless population as cheap entertainment for the city or something of the kind...

But now I think back on it, and ask myself, in their shoes, how I'd feel about such a program existing, and know I'd probably take advantage. But then, if the idea was okay, how many people and resources would it realistically take to make it work? Shouldn't there be more solid ideas? This one would be great, if run by someone with loads of money who isn't afraid to lose some in experimentation.

It's also less intimidating then governmental employment programs.

Cambridge, ON has three shelters, one for adults, two split between male and female youth, and several small shanty towns. I've seen the people in these communities take care of each other, they offer one another their goods, they watch out for those with mental health issues, or who are drugged out... many of them came here after Hamilton shut down their mental asylum in the 90s. Many of them are quite old, and they should never have been out there in the first place.

The younger ones already have a dead look in their eyes. Or they appear scared, or aggressive. I struggle to believe most if any of them deserve their fate. In a world where I swear 99.99% of wealth must go unused, it's incredible this can even be possible.

I once heard of someone else who'd done this idea with the gift bags as well, and remember thinking it was clever, but also wondering if it wasn't also just another band-aid.

Then I was overwhelmed again by how complicated the entire problem really is, how innaccessible the best solutions are to most of us, and realized once more that any difference is better than none.

I appreciate and applaud you for taking these real action steps towards making a difference which can be felt in at least some lives.

Also, a note on sharing evidence of doing these things:

The more people see this behaviour in action, the more common it's bound to become. I'm probably not helping by pointing out my uncertainty towards what I'll do (or not do) next, but you are demonstrating to anyone willing to see it that love and kindness is possible, and the results rewarding on a deeper level.

When I think back, I realize the same time I stopped actively caring about this was around when I was scammed out of most of my money for apartment fraud, twice.

Events that year, in between 2020-2021, may had shifted my thoughts to an ego-centric portion of my brain.

It even reflects in much of my work.

Anyway, I need to sleep, and this response risks developing through the night if I don't end it soon.

Much love and respect to you, Francis. 🙏🖤 Take care ✨