Wayne Radford – The Concordian

From Sunday March 9 to Friday March 14, Concordia students took a courageous stand by sleeping on the sidewalk outside the Hall Building at the Sir George Williams campus. They lived outside, 24/7, for five days through cold, damp, and inclement weather as part of a nationwide campaign to raise funds and awareness for homeless — specifically to benefit Chez Dora and Dans La Rue in Montreal.

Sleeping through cold temperatures, almost withering indifference and even a snap blizzard tested their resolve at times.

Once established on campus, many students had questions for the participants about homelessness in Montreal, the campaign and the volunteers’ commitment to follow through on the entire week.

“The storm on Wednesday was pretty rough. With the drop in temperature, and the thick snow, you begin to wonder just how anyone would survive out here for long without shelter,” said one student taking part – a grim reminder that Montreal’s homeless are often caught outside without the option of heat or shelter in very hostile conditions that can lead to ill health and hypothermia.

“After two or three days of eating and sleeping poorly, your mind gets foggy on goodwill, coffee and doughnuts. Good judgment can become impaired. Long-term, this can cause more problems as consequences compound with poor diet, and health,” said Josh Redler, Concordia alumni and organizer for the Montreal event.

But despite the weather, the biggest problem the group encountered this week was indifference. The majority of passersby simply ignored the appeal, despite volunteers being dressed in fluorescent orange. Hard to ignore, politely persistent, and willing to discuss the problem of homelessness with anyone who would stop to ask about the campaign, there were many hours that passed by without a single individual stopping to inquire about the group and their activities.

“One of the biggest problems for the homeless is that people ignore your presence. After awhile, you begin to actually feel like you are invisible — even though you are hiding in plain sight,”explained Redler.

Thankfully, there were students, members of the public, and even faculty who did take a moment to stop, chat and inquire about the campaign. Those that did were 100 per cent supportive of the group’s efforts. Some supporters brought food, clothes and donations during the five day effort.

Redler was cautiously optimistic about this year’s event. Although overall donations were down this year there was a significant show of support from parties who did take interest.

“It’s a process, a progression. If we can improve, year over year, then we know we are making a difference. The organizations we support depend on fundraising efforts like this, in order to meet their objectives of helping people out of these circumstances.”

Ongoing donations will continue to benefit Chez Dora and Dans La Rue for the balance of the month of March. You can donate online, by visiting 5days.ca

Can’t spare a buck?

“Take a moment to acknowledge the homeless. You may be the only caring person they encounter all day. They may be encountering a temporary, or long-term setback, but whatever their circumstances, they deserve the same consideration and respect as neighbours and part of our community,” said Redler.

Alisha Hussey poses with the clothing and sleeping
bag she uses to protect herself from the harsh winter nights. Photo by Keith Race

Concordia supports 5 days for the homeless, alongside 26 Canadian universities

Thousands of Canadian youth under the age of 25 call the cold and hostile streets their home each and every night. Josh Redler wants you to know what that feels like, literally, at Concordia’s doorstep. From March 9 to 14, 26 Canadian universities, including Concordia, will be participating in the 5 Days For the Homeless campaign.

Organized annually by Redler and a growing team of volunteers since 2008, 5 Days for the Homeless supports organizations and social groups that aid youth at risk. The event is a simultaneous campaign of visibility, public awareness and fundraising support for local organizations that directly fight the challenge of homelessness in their communities.

Ask Redler why he wants you to do this, and he will explain with patience and compassion that our social understanding of the problem of homelessness needs to change, to be challenged, and to be addressed as a growing social concern. In 2007, while Redler was completing his bachelor’s degree in commerce at John Molson School of Business, he started an overnight effort on campus with a few fellow students. That effort has since developed into the annual 5 Days For the Homeless campaign.

From British Columbia to Nova Scotia, this national campaign has been challenging assumptions, sharing experiences, and opening discussions of understanding on what it means to be homeless in Canada; by offering students the opportunity to engage directly in the harsh environment of sleeping on the street, and by sharing experience and understanding with the homeless in their own communities.

This is the mission behind 5Days.ca — to establish understanding of the problem, and to provide a national focus and fundraising effort for those who work in the field of outreach and support for the homeless.

The need is essential. Homelessness is on the rise. Globally, since 2008, with the ongoing recession, economic fallout, and stagnation that continues to plague North America, more and more individuals are falling short economically. Government funding in Canada, by best estimates, only accounts for about five per cent of the operating budgets for outreach services in this area of community service.

The underlying cause of homelessness is not necessarily what one might expect. There are some assumed circumstances: people fleeing domestic abuse, falling into social isolation, or the traps of substance abuse or mental illness. While these situations can compound the problem of homelessness, it often starts with social isolation or the inability for an individual to meet their economic or social responsibilities through crisis or sickness.

Once out of a fixed environment, it becomes increasingly difficult to contact them, or to establish a routine or access government or social services that may be of assistance. When combined with the limitation of accessibility to services with the further consequences of homelessness — poor nutrition, poor sleep, and compounding health concerns — the situation rapidly deteriorates into a self-defeating spiral.

“Homeless people are just people in different circumstances,” Redler suggests. “It is helpful for us to see homelessness in the community for what it is, a circumstance, and not the end destiny for an individual. The key, is in establishing compassionate understanding for the person in their circumstances.”

“By establishing rapport, and relationships with individuals, they can begin to depend on help, and trust that there is a way out of their present situation, but it can take time. It is a process, not easily solved overnight. If we start by understanding the problem, and supporting organizations that actively outreach to the homeless, we can help solve this problem one person at a time.”