Community dispersed when encampment dismantled

Editor:

I am writing this to inform our community about a situation that is happening in another closely knit community. The Kensington Market in Toronto has historically been an inclusive community which values diversity and change. The Rev. Maggie Helwig and the people of St. Stephens-in-the Fields Anglican Church have been supporting an encampment in their church yard for some years. On Oct. 16, I bore witness as the city removed the personal belongings of the residents. St. Stephens has been supporting this community with outreach support, daily meals, and personal contact.

Currently the church yard is fenced off and covered with cement blocks with no removal date given. Private security has been monitoring this church yard, and several other parkettes in the area 24/7. As a result the entire Kensington Market neighbourhood has become an unwelcoming security zone, in response from a small number of loud voices.

In Creemore and our surrounding beautiful escarpment we are also a diversified community.

We have the privilege of open spaces, trees, parks for our children to enjoy, and the Bruce Trail to hike on.

We also are privileged in many ways. We have food, warm homes and a community to help in times of need. The people that I met that day, were a community amongst themselves. They passed around the food for breakfast, such as it was, to share amongst themselves. Now they are separated, and living in alleys, and in some cases have not yet been found.

I urge you to write to Mayor Olivia Chow and ask how much money is being spent on security that could be spent to enhance social services for the most vulnerable of our society.

Lorna May,

Deacon-in-Charge, St. Luke’s Creemore.