Sleeping rough for Perth County’s unhoused
On a miserable, rainy and windy day, a group of Listowel, Ont. residents are braving the elements to shine a light and stand in support of the community’s unhoused residents.
“This is gravy compared to some of it. I remember one time, minus 40 [degrees], and I got soaked,” said Allen Gordon.
Gordon has lived through many days like this — awful weather, and no place to go. He has been unhoused for most of the past four years, here in Listowel.
“$1,100 for a one bedroom, how are you [going to] do that? How do you even split up the rooms, right? So you’re in between a rock and a hard place,” said Gordon.
Kayla Brodhagen has also lived on Perth County’s streets for a large part of her life, with drugs leading her down a dark path.
“Addicts don’t want to wait for anything. They want it now. So, when people would say to me, ‘Do you want to this,’ it’s a process, it didn’t happen, because we don’t like processes,” she explained.
As many as 200 people are “living rough” in Perth County with many more couch surfing, including some of those folks sleeping on Allie Gross’ couch.
“I see these people struggling, and they need help. For instance, my place has six or seven people living in it right now, and that’s pretty crazy,” said Gross, who also used to live on the streets.
Organizers can be seen setting up the “This is Home 24-hour Sleep Out” outside of It Takes a Village in Listowel, Ont. on March 25, 2023. (Scott Miller/CTV News London)That is why a hardy group of residents have agreed to spend 24 hours outside this weekend, sleeping rough in the parking lot of the Listowel Legion. Their goal is to raise awareness of the largely hidden Perth County problem, and much needed funds to operate It Takes A Village, an independent, non-profit thrift store and food bank, and second home for Listowel’s unhoused, co-founded and operated by Andrea Charest.
“When we talk about inclusion in communities that has to mean all means all. So that’s why we’re out here today,” said Charest.
Usually it is just Charest and Manny Coehlo who sleep outside for 24 hours as part of the annual fundraiser, but this year others are joining them.
“The awareness of folks living outside, and having food insecurity, and those issues, are being more brought to our attention, because our volunteering with It Takes A Village,” said Heather Heise and Cathy Krabbe.
Many of Listowel’s unhoused, who also volunteer at It Takes A Village, said Charest’s arrival here six years ago has brought dignity to their situation.
“She’s like, ‘Yeah, you can come in here. You can work here. You can volunteer here. Whatever you want.’ If [you] need somebody to talk to. She’s just amazing,” said a tearful Brodhagen.
“It was like we were walking around with the plague more or less. They’d see you and say, ‘Oh my goodness, get out of here.’ They’d find your camp, and kick you out. Nowadays, it’s a little bit better,” said Gordon.
Charest added, “The reality is we are all just one step away from walking someone else’s path. So when we look at what we require in our community to make change, it’s that ability to see that we’re not so different as people.”
Listowel’s “This is Home” 24-Hour Sleep Out" ends at 8 a.m. Sunday morning.
If you would like to support those participating and It Takes A Village, you can drop by the Listowel Legion, or visit their Facebook page or website.
The fundraising goal is $12,000.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Pedestrian, baby injured after stroller struck and dragged by vehicle in Squamish, B.C.
Police say a baby and a pedestrian suffered non-life-threatening injuries after a vehicle struck a baby stroller and dragged it for two blocks before stopping in Squamish, B.C.
Senate expenses climbed to $7.2 million in 2023, up nearly 30%
Senators in Canada claimed $7.2 million in expenses in 2023, a nearly 30 per cent increase over the previous year.
Demonstrators kicked out of Ontario legislature for disruption after failed keffiyeh vote
A group of demonstrators were kicked out of the legislature after a second NDP motion calling for unanimous consent to reverse a ban on the keffiyeh failed to pass.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
RCMP uncovers alleged plot by 2 Montreal men to illegally sell drones, equipment to Libya
The RCMP says it has uncovered a plot by two men in Montreal to sell Chinese drones and military equipment to Libya illegally.
Government agrees to US$138.7M settlement over FBI's botching of Larry Nassar assault allegations
The U.S. Justice Department announced a US$138.7 million settlement Tuesday with more than 100 people who accused the FBI of grossly mishandling allegations of sexual assault against Larry Nassar in 2015 and 2016, a critical time gap that allowed the sports doctor to continue to prey on victims before his arrest.
BREAKING Canucks goalie Thatcher Demko won't play in Game 2
The Vancouver Canucks will be without all-star goalie Thatcher Demko when they face the Nashville Predators in Game 2 of their first-round playoff series.
Man wanted in connection with deadly shooting in Toronto tops list of most wanted fugitives in Canada
A 35-year-old man wanted in connection with the murder of Toronto resident 29-year-old Sharmar Powell-Flowers nine months ago has topped the list of the BOLO program’s 25 most wanted fugitives across Canada, police announced Tuesday.
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.