Baby injured in rooming house

Our local paper just released a story about a young family living in a rooming house - they had a small baby and that baby was injured. The parents are being charged with assault causing injury to the child. The parents are young - 23years old, and both are said to have an university education - and of course they are poor.
Things we do know - The landlord rented the room to this young family knowing that it was not suitable for children as the other tenants are single men many (not all) who have been in conflict with the law and are in addiction recovery.
The public health nurse was in to see the family on a regular basis
Source of income - I will speculate it was social assistance (welfare) so then the caseworker would have been aware of the living conditions.
So what happened? The system let this family down - they were young inexperienced and in need of adequate housing and supports - why did this not happen? Why did not the professionals involved in their lives step in sooner.
Would adequate housing and better income have improved the situation. From what I know the Mother never left the room - they stayed locked inside - only mixing with others in the rooming house when they needed the bathroom or kitchen -
Think about the impact of being young, new parents, forced to live in unsuitable conditions, under resourced - even perhaps being fearful for you and your child's safety - think of the pressure that would put on the parents - in my opinion it was a recipe for disaster - the results - could be a lost of life and for certain a destruction of a family
What could have been done - better housing, more supports - the department of community services as well as the health care providers - really needs to review their policies to ensure adequate resources are provided in a timely manner to those in need.

Who is likely to be poor?

In the light of the following fact sheet on poverty - can we at this time in our history have gender balance in government? When we use the term balance are we talking about equity or equality? Given the depth of women's poverty in Canada I say that equity needs to be met first before equality is ever achieved - look at the facts as listed below - are we really equal?

Who is likely to be poor?

This fact sheet was written by Marika Morris and updated by Tahira Gonsalves.

A newborn child, just because she happens to be born female, is more likely to grow up to be poor as an adult. Women form the majority of the poor in Canada. One in seven[2] (2.4 million[3]) Canadian women is living in poverty today.

• Women raising families by themselves: 51.6% of lone parent families headed by women are poor[4]. With many of these families, financial support agreements with the non-custodial parent (usually the father) are either not in place or in arrears.[5]

• Senior women: Almost half (41.5%) of single, widowed or divorced (“unattached”) women over 65 are poor[6]. While the poverty rates for all seniors have improved overall, there is still a large gap between men and women. The poverty rate for all senior women is 19.3%, while that for senior men is 9.5%[7].

• Women on their own: 35% of women on their own under 65, live in poverty.[8]

• Women with disabilities: More women than men live with disabilities in Canada. Aboriginal people have twice the national disability rate[9]. Of all women with disabilities living in a household rather than an institution, and who had any income at all, those aged 35-54 had the highest incomes: an average of $17,000, which is 55% of men with disabilities in that age range. Women with disabilities under 35 had an average income of $13,000, and women with disabilities over 55 had an average income of under $14,000. The more severe a woman’s disability, the lower her income.[10]

• Aboriginal women: The average annual income of Aboriginal women is $13,300, compared to $18,200 for Aboriginal men, and $19,350 for non-Aboriginal women.[11] 44% of the Aboriginal population living off reserve lives in poverty, but things are worse on reserve: Almost half (47%) of Aboriginal persons on reserve have an income of less than $10,000.[12] Aboriginal women are also more likely than Aboriginal men to be trapped in low-paying jobs[13], and because of the continuing effects of the Indian Act, they face insecurities related to housing, access to services and abuse both on and off reserve[14].

• Women of colour: 37% of women of colour are low income, compared with 19% of all women. The average annual income for a woman of colour in Canada is $16,621, almost $3000 less than the average for other women ($19,495) and almost $7,000 less than that of men of colour ($23,635).[15] Women of colour are also overrepresented in precarious (part-time and temporary) work and often have to live in substandard, segregated housing. They are also more vulnerable to violence and other health risks[16].

• Immigrant women: Education does not reduce the income gap between immigrant women and Canadian-born women. New immigrant women between the ages of 25-44 who have a university degree and who worked full-year, full-time earn $14,000 less than Canadian-born women.[17] This is partly because of overt racism, but also the structural racism of lack of recognition of foreign credentials and experience. New immigrant women, suffering from abuse, may have few options to escape this, if they are financially dependent on their male relative sponsors in Canada.

• Lesbians: There is little information about the economic status of lesbians. We only have isolated bits and pieces to go by, such as a Winnipeg study that found that 14% of gay men over 65 reported incomes below the poverty line, compared with 42% of lesbian seniors.[18]

• Migrant Women: Migrant women who are often refugees or foreign domestic workers are also particularly at risk of poverty and exploitation, as they are often forced to work in unregulated or hidden employment. Women make up the majority of migrant workers from Asia and many work here to sustain their families back home. They are paid low wages, and despite the fact that they contribute significantly to the Canadian economy, they are not entitled to many benefits such as EI[19].

• Low wage earners: In Canada it is not enough to have a job to keep you out of poverty.[20] Most poor people do work full- or part-time.[21] Poverty level wages are a particular problem for women. Women and youth account for 83% of Canada’s minimum wage workers.[22] 37% of lone mothers with paid employment must raise a family on less than $10 per hour.[23]

Women also make approximately 71%[24] of what men earn for full-year, full-time work. Education does not reduce the wage gap much: women with university degrees, employed full-year, full-time earned 74% of what men earned with university degrees.[25] The gap between what women and men (with University degrees) earn also widened between 1995 and 2000[26]. In fact, in 1997, a man employed full-year, full-time with less than a Grade 9 education earned on average $30,731, whereas a woman with a post-secondary certificate or diploma earned less for full-year, full-time work: $29,539.[27] Women earn less than men even if they work in the same sectors or even in the same jobs. There are no occupations in which women’s average earnings exceed men’s, not even in female-dominated areas such as clerical work and teaching.[28] Canada has the largest wage gap between women and men full-time workers out of world’s 29 most developed countries. Only Spain, Portugal, Japan and Korea have larger wage gaps.[29]

• Women on welfare, and their children: In 2001, 60% of single mothers relied on welfare at some point[30]. 52% of Canada’s social assistance recipients are made up of families with children[31]. One quarter (24%) of welfare families are headed by people with some form of disability.[32] All welfare rates in Canada are far below the poverty line, ranging from 20% to 76% below

• http://www.criaw-icref.ca/factSheets/Women%20and%20Poverty/Poverty%20Fact%20sheet_e.htm

Queer and Rebel Days

Queer and Rebel Days- fantastic and free (donations gladly welcome but not necessary) at the Robert St. Social Centre

Kick off Party- Friday July 10, 7pm (Roberts street social centre- 5684 Roberts st.) (FREE and everyone friendly-friendly)- meet some folks and discuss, among other things, the importance of challenging consumerism and assimilation (and talk about what those words mean)

Queer Costume, Water-Fight Bike Ride, Saturday July 11 (FREE and everyone friendly-friendly)11am-2pm- bike fixing, costume making, water balloon filling, face painting, target practice etc.2pm- the bike ride leaves 5684 Roberts st.

Queer Performance Night, Saturday July 11, 8pm, (5684 Roberts st.) (FREE and everyone friendly-friendly)Raindate: Sunday, July 12, 7pmStill accepting performers- contact queer.and.rebel.days.2009@gmail.com or call 446-1788

Queer Expressions: DIY art workshops and fair, Sunday, July 12, 12-5pm (5684 Roberts st.) (FREE and everyone friendly-friendly)-There will be zine making, button making, patch making and hair cutting stations.-there will also be art for sale by and for Queers and their allies.

Are You Queer Enough?, Sunday July 12, 3-6pm (5684 Roberts st., upstairs) (FREE and everyone friendly-friendly)We will discuss the peer-policing of queer identities in the queer/gay communityThere will also be a story telling element, where folks can speak to times they did not feel 'queer enough' and what that even means.This will be followed by a collaberative zine making workshop for those interested.

Lunch Time Discussions Monday July 13-Thursday July 16, 12-2pm (5684 Roberts st.) (FREE and everyone friendly-friendly)There will be some food and a few folks hanging around to discuss any topics that might have been missed, and also to just generally hang out. Also, the button-maker will be available and so will the zine-making supplies.

How to be an Ally, Monday, July 13, 7pm (5684 Roberts st., upstairs) (FREE and everyone friendly-friendly)Have you even wondered how to be an ally, not just to queer or trans folk, but in general?We will discuss principles and tactics of how to be a supportive ally.

Lunch Time Discussions Monday July 13-Thursday July 16, 12-2pm (5684 Roberts st.) (FREE and everyone friendly-friendly)There will be some food and a few folks hanging around to discuss any topics that might have been missed, and also to just generally hang out. Also, the button-maker will be available and so will the zine-making supplies.

Flag Wars Screening - Tuesday, July 14, 7pm (5684 Roberts st., upstairs) (FREE and everyone friendly-friendly)-Movie has strong content-Will be followed by a discussion

Lunch Time Discussions Monday July 13-Thursday July 16, 12-2pm (5684 Roberts st.) (FREE and everyone friendly-friendly)There will be some food and a few folks hanging around to discuss any topics that might have been missed, and also to just generally hang out. Also, the button-maker will be available and so will the zine-making supplies.

Queer Activist History: Guest Speaker and Discussion- Wednesday, July 15, 7pm (5684 Roberts st., upstairs) (FREE and everyone friendly-friendly)-Talk about some historical moments of queer activism, and discuss where current activism is headed now-An opportunity to meet other folks interested in queer activist actions.

Lunch Time Discussions Monday July 13-Thursday July 16, 12-2pm (5684 Roberts st.) (FREE and everyone friendly-friendly)There will be some food and a few folks hanging around to discuss any topics that might have been missed, and also to just generally hang out. Also, the button-maker will be available and so will the zine-making supplies.

Wrap-up with Wraps- Thursday, July 16, 6pm (5684 Roberts st.) (FREE and everyone friendly-friendly)- Feedback and reflection- did anything make you uncomfortable? Did we miss anything? We want your feedback!- Direct action planning- Are there any actions you want to see happen? Are you interested in being an active queer activist? Come to this event!

For more information, to request childcare or to volunteer contact: queer.and.rebel.days.2009@gmail.com or (902)-446-1788
Contact Info
Email:
Location:
Halifax, NS

Advocacy and Activisim

I tend to have my best and most enlightening conversations on the Commons a public field about a block from my living space. Yesterday's dialogue really brought home to me one of the most challenging parts of my role as an advocate. It is understanding the difference between advocacy and activism. This person related to me that he had had been fighting this particular issue for years and had not been able to get it successfully resolved. After reviewing the issue it was not a matter of being treated fairly it was that the rules did not fit his situation and could not be used to resolve the issue. He needed new, better rules.

Basically in the terms of the service role I provide, advocacy is about the rules and whether or not they have been applied correctly and if I can assist the person I am working with to get the best treatment possible under the rules- not whether or not the rules are fair. Activism is about challenging those rules and lobbying to change those unfair rules. It may also mean going outside those rules for equity and justice to get the best resolution.

If we cannot clearly see the difference as it relates to what we are looking for- we spend great amounts of our time spinning our wheels, getting very frustrated and never getting our issue resolved. So bottom line if you think the rule is not applied correctly - get an advocate - however if you think the rule is not fair.....be an activist and find a way to challenge and change it.
Challenging the rules - basic
gather allies (friends, like minded people who will be on your side - people with similar issues)
listen to each other
look at what you want changed and discuss options on how to make that happen (research)
understand and discuss the consequences of the actions you take on yourself and others
make an action plan and implement it
contact the media
contact the decision makers - rule makers (politicians and senior bureaucrats)
keep at it until you get the results you want/need

lots can be added to this - but that is a basic outline - your activism can change the world use it widely and wisely! As many Advocates I find that I must also be an Activist as I know the rules are often unfair and I want to change that.

We are Moving!

I am super excited to announce that of August 1st, 2009 we will have a new office space - our new address will be 5687 West St. Suite 220 Halifax, NS - our phone number will remain the same 902-444-5060
The space is smaller than our previous storefront - however it will be warmer and more affordable as we are a voluntary organization with very limited resources. The other downfall is that it is up a number of stairs so it is not accessible, any person seeking advocacy services and cannot do the stairs will be accommodated with an appointment in an accessible location.
We hope to plan an open house when we are moved into our space.
We will be closed for the month of July -however if you are currently working with an advocate that work will continue. In addition the message line will be monitored during the month and if you find yourself in a crisis situation needing an advocate and cannot access one elsewhere please leave a message and someone will contact you.

Thanks for your on-going support!