Discrimination Against the Homeless Population

 

Image credit: https://thecanadaguide.com/basics/money/

In the spirit of our founder, Blessed Frederic Ozanam, the Society of St Vincent de Paul has a two-fold mission in assisting those in need:

• charitable works
• advocacy for social justice when the poor are hindered from advocating for themselves.

It is being widely opined in the public media that the Ontario Government will be sending out cheques for $200 to Ontario residents, tax free, with a total cost of $3.2 Billion. If true, this will discriminate against the entire homeless population, and even many of the housed will fall through the cracks. Without a registered mailing address and up-to-date tax records with the Canada Revenue Agency, they will get nothing, regardless of their desperate circumstances.
If the Ontario government really wants to help all their citizens, they would have been better advised to put that $3.2B into health care, education, affordable housing, and the environment.

No doubt many of the people who will receive the $200 will be grateful because they really do need it, but most of us will not need it as desperately as those without homes and some of the families who come to our Society for food and other assistance. 

Charitable donations will reduce your taxable income. Please consider donating some or all of your $200 to a charitable cause as a way to protest the injustice and share with the poorest who will, yet again, be discriminated against with this latest round of Provincial Government largesse for the middle class. Just as importantly, do talk about it with your family and friends.

The Cry of the Poor - Laudato Si'

 

Image credit: https://institucionteresiana.org/en/focal-points/the-cry-of-the-earth-cry-of-the-poor

I asked Meta AI, "What does Laudato Si' say about 'The Cry of the Poor'?" 
Laudato Si' is an encyclical written by Pope Francis and released on May 24, 2015. It addresses the interconnectedness of environmental and social issues. Here is the response from Meta AI...

Laudato Si' emphasizes the intimate relationship between the cry of the Poor and the cry of the Earth. Pope Francis stresses that we're facing a single, complex crisis that's both social and environmental ¹. The encyclical highlights how the Earth's degradation disproportionately affects the world's most vulnerable populations, particularly the poor.

The Cry of the Poor

In Laudato Si', Pope Francis identifies two significant injustices experienced by the poor due to the climate crisis. Firstly, they're usually the first affected by extreme weather events, losing their livelihoods and facing displacement ². Secondly, despite contributing minimally to climate change, they bear the brunt of its consequences.

Key Points

- Ecological Debt: The global north owes an "ecological debt" to the global south due to commercial imbalances and disproportionate resource consumption ².

- Vulnerable Groups: The encyclical emphasizes the need to protect human life in all forms, with special attention to indigenous people, migrants, unborn children, and children at risk of modern slavery ³ ⁴.

- Spiritual Crisis: The ecological crisis is also a spiritual crisis, requiring a spiritual conversion to address the root causes of environmental degradation ⁴.

Pope Francis urges us to listen to the cry of the poor and respond with solidarity, advocating for eco-justice and defending human life ¹ ³. By doing so, we can work towards a more equitable and sustainable future for all.

Here are the references for follow up:

1 https://www.jpic-jp.org/en/a/the-cry-of-the-poor-laudato-si-2nd-goal

2 https://ssnd.org/shalom-laudato-si-laudato-si-reflections-response-to-cry-of-the-poor/

3 https://laudatosiactionplatform.org/listening-to-the-cry-of-the-poor/

4 https://laudatosiactionplatform.org/response-to-the-cry-of-the-poor/

Charity AND Justice

 

Image credit: Clyde Watts

Corry Wink is on the SSVP National Advocacy Committee

Social justice: Stronger Together Imagine a patient heading to a doctor with severe abdominal pain. A pain killer would solve the problem temporarily, but is the issue truly addressed? Charity is like the pain killer, a vital component of care but only a beginning. Social Justice takes the next step. Unfortunately, charity… Never fills the gap between need and sufficiency… Is often inconsistent as limited by the means of the giver… Is limited to people who know how to ask for it… May create a dependence, robbing people of their dignity and sense of self-worth. On the other hand, in social justice… The entire community is responsible for people’s well-being… All people are eligible, and benefits generally keeps up with inflation… Dignity and rights are given to basic needs… The entire community benefits, not just recipients of social programs. To illustrate, consider the following:

Charitable Activities Social Justice Measures Food banks and Christmas hampers Liveable incomes Clothing and household items from outlets Shopping options Couch surfing Shelters Out of The Cold programs Affordable, secure housing Medical treatment by pharmaceutical samples supplied by doctor Pharmacare Occasional special dental clinics A universal dental program

Liveable incomes whether from paid employment, the social assistance system or the pension system should provide enough money for people to have secure and safe housing, nutritious food and a modest level of basic needs such as clothing, communication and transportation. High quality publicly funded health care programs such as pharmacare and dental plans allow people to maintain their health as they age. When their basic needs of people are met, they have the stability, mental and physical health and strength to take their place in society as citizens and participants in the economy. The World Happiness Report produced annually by the United Nations finds that countries with the most generous social programs have better outcomes in every aspect of their societies: successful economies, good public health, and happier people.  Social justice measures benefit the entire community and end up costing society less than keeping people in poverty. How can you get involved? Society must respond to alleviate the suffering of those who live in poverty. Consider supporting food banks with food and financial donations as well as volunteer your time. For a just and fair society, advocate for liveable wages, social assistance and other social programs which can lift people out of poverty so that they can become productive citizens. Consider organizing a social justice committee at your conference or council to communicate the benefits of social justice programs.  Work with Vincentians and others to develop effective advocacy strategies.  Once elections are called, attend candidates’ meetings and support the need for better social programs. We call all Vincentians to join us to accomplish our goals as per the Fundamental Principles stated in the Rule and Statutes: Work as a team within the Society and in collaboration with other people of good will to: Serve people in need Discover and help redress situations of social injustice that cause poverty, suffering and need. Thank you for your engagement. Corry Wink, Advocacy Committee member