Homeless and Help

---------- Forwarded message --------- From: John Ames Birch <amesbirch403@gmail.com> Date: Sun., Jul. 17, 2022, 3:59 p.m. Subject: Homeless and Help (Opinion) To: <justin.trudeau@parl.gc.ca>, <chrystia.freeland@parl.gc.ca>, <dujarric@un.org>, <administration@ccla.org>, <aimember@aiusa.org>, ASKUS <askus@novascotia.ca>, Liberal Party of Canada <assistance@liberal.ca>, aclupreferences <aclupreferences@aclu.org>, <Bernadette.Jordan@parl.gc.ca>, <cameron.barr@washpost.com>, <sally.buzbee@washpost.com>, Ben Stephens <ben@francetoday.com>, Blanchet, Yves-François - Député <yves-francois.blanchet@parl.gc.ca>, Jacinthe Beaulieu <jacinthe.beaulieu@telus.com>, <ContactUsEn@pmo.gov.il>, <palestine@un.int>, <community@texastribune.org>, <CivilRightsDivision@usdoj.gov>, NYT Corrections <corrections@nytimes.com>, <David.Lametti@parl.gc.ca>, David Hulen <dhulen@adn.com>, Duclos, Jean-Yves - Député <jean-yves.duclos@parl.gc.ca>, Garneau, Marc - Député <marc.garneau@parl.gc.ca>, <efren.zamudio@oregon.gov>, <elizabeth.may.c1a@parl.gc.ca>, <Fadi.El-Abdallah@icc-cpi.int>, <e.info@nwthumanrights.ca>, <externalrelations@csis.org>, <ecampaign@gop.com>, <emily.zalenski@warnerbros.com>, Tom Engel <tomengel@engellaw.ca>, <fkalmbach@theadvocate.com>, <filomena.tassi@parl.gc.ca>, Forsætisráðuneytið <for@for.is>, <govpress@la.gov>, <GovernorRon.Desantis@eog.myflorida.com>, <gmcdonald@alabamanews.net>, <guestcare@carnival.com>, Guy Hibbert <guy@francetoday.com>, <hotline@ccteht.ca>, <hcenquiries@parliament.uk>, HaveYourSay <haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk>, <info@homewardtrust.ca>, <illinoisnewstoday@gmail.com>, <IRIS@parliament.uk>, <info@ccla.org>, <jagmeet.singh@parl.gc.ca>, <jane.dawson@ubc.ca>, <janine.carandang@ubc.ca>, Johnston, Patrick <pjohnston@postmedia.com>, <kgchaumont@fbi.gov>, <KathyCrawford@house.mi.gov>, <kprice@amnesty.ca>, <kmonague@nwac.ca>, <kf@china.com>, <lethbridge@globalnews.ca>, <Letters@calgaryherald.com>, <liaisonofficeny@icc-cpi.int>, <murbina@fbi.gov>, <melanie.joly@parl.gc.ca>, <media.sf@fbi.gov>, EDC Minister <education.minister@gov.ab.ca>, Qualtrough, Carla - M.P. <Carla.Qualtrough@parl.gc.ca>, <News@hawaiinewsnow.com>, <newsdesk@krqe.com>, <new.scotland.yard@met.police.uk>, <news@abccolumbia.com>, NCTE <ncte@transequality.org>, NWAC Reception <reception@nwac.ca>, Naacp <washingtonbureau@naacpnet.org>, News@KelownaNow.com <News@kelownanow.com>, <osd.pentagon.pa.mbx.ce-public-inquiries@mail.mil>, <osd.pa.dutyofficer@mail.mil>, <ombudsman-communications@forces.gc.ca>, <Oprah@oprah.com>, <octip@gov.bc.ca>, <press@usda.gov>, <pitches@texastribune.org>, <premier@ontario.ca>, <premier@novascotia.ca>, <premier@gov.yk.ca>, <premier@gov.nt.ca>, <premier@gov.pe.ca>, <premier@gov.ab.ca>, <premier@gov.sk.ca>, <premier@gov.bc.ca>, <premier@gov.nl.ca>, <Colleen.Quinn@mass.gov>, <Roshunda.Ward@la.gov>, <report@aiusa.org>, Reed Hastings <rhastings@netflix.com>, Secretary@HHS.gov <Secretary@hhs.gov>, Sky.Today <Sky.Today@sky.uk>, Sylvia Jones <sylvia.jones@pc.ola.org>, <tracy.mcphee@gov.yk.ca>, <tonews@cbc.ca>, tips@GlobalTVBC.com <Tips@globaltvbc.com>, <us@ocasiocortez.com>, <contact.us@adcci.gov.ae>, <Vincent.A.Steves@abc.com>, <ViewerContactCalgary@globalnews.ca>, <ViewerContactToronto@globalnews.ca>, <curt.j.villarosa@abc.com>, <we.care@hopemission.com>, <wayne.panton@gov.ky>, <WeekendNews@globaltv.com>, <whirlpool_customerexperience@whirlpool.com>, <webbgis@barbados.gov.bb>, <weekend@cbsnews.com>, <YourQuestions@bbc.co.uk>, <zane@caj.ca>, <zkurz@osc.gov>, <alyssa.z.apple.-nd@abc.com> Cc: <amarjeet.sohi@edmonton.ca>, <press@us.mcd.com>, <pat@awbiz.asia>, <arbyspublicrelations@inspirebrands.ca>

Hey Everyone, I am writing to you today to discuss the homeless crisis facing our society. I was thinking that we need more city infrastructure to support homeless and housed individuals within our society. Many times people setup tents outside due to overcrowding and other issues. These camps are often cleared without options for the people in the tents. I propose that we look into options for centralized care in and around homeless shelters. For example by the Herb Jamison center there is an empty field that can easily be converted to a homeless designated camping area. Garbage's and other amenities can be setup to assist homeless people like porta pottys as well as hand operated washing machines. Cameras can be installed to prevent altercations and people can be sent to determine the needs of the camp. This will centralize homeless camps and help us better serve the people who use them. Additionally, cities need to think about upgraded infrastructure like charging stations or power outlets on lamp posts, water fountains, garbage's and recycling spaces as well as turning all city owned green spaces near homeless shelters into sustainable food forests. These would provide more food for the homeless and then it can be harvested, canned and preserved for emergency needs. This will help to both beautify the city as well as feed the homeless. Furthermore, washrooms are difficult to find when homeless and despite the fine many have no choice but to use the outdoors. Having washrooms readily available will help the homeless as well as improve quality of life for everyone in the city. You can look to volunteers to clean and restock these washrooms and utilize the remaining pandemic resources as the pandemic and homelessness are interconnected at this time. This coupled with charging stations and water fountains will create a more livable city regardless of their housing situation. We also need to start investing in shade canopies and awnings to prevent heat stroke for the homeless and elderly within our cities. Sadly, during my time homeless I have seen many elderly people in need of shelter and food. Homelessness is everyone's problem as it's a direct result from gaps in our society. Together we can ensure greater food security and safety for all our citizens. I also am hoping that the great companies out there like McDonalds, Harvey's, Tim Hortons, Arby's, Popeyes, A&W and others can start Pay it forward campaigns where people can donate meals. Therefore a homeless person can arrive and ask if there are any donated meals and be fed by collective good. Adding water fountains outside and starting donation drives can help our society but also build social capital for the company. These changes can make a world of difference in the lives of those down on their luck. To help pay for these additions I propose solar panels on each building to offset the costs of city operations to be funneled into social support programs. Furthermore, if we look into crowdsourcing and news campaigns we can help the governments save more people who will then rejoin the workforce which by proxy will strengthen the economy. I am therefore hoping that we can review these options and institute changes to help those most vulnerable within our society until there are no more vulnerable people within our society. Stay Safe, Stay Sanitized and Stay Supportive, John Ames Birch @johneames2