Many cities are experiencing an increase in homelessness. In London it’s no different – the use of emergency shelters continues to rise – and it’s an issue of concern for London Community Foundation.
In addition to local residents who descend to a life on the streets, we are a regional centre for mental health, justice and social services, which brings with it issues associated with release from provincial mental health facilities to “no fixed address” and criminal discharges to local emergency shelters. The lack of of appropriate social service and emergency shelter services in many southwestern Ontario communities results in an inward migration of the homeless to London.
A growing number are presenting with multiple health challenges as a result of poverty, mental health and addiction, particularly to alcohol and prescription painkillers. Local social service agencies are struggling to cope with this challenging population.
While we do not have an accurate count of the homeless, most local experts agree that on a given day we may have up to 1,500 individuals without stable accommodation. Up to 360 can be accommodated in the city’s emergency shelters.
As the population of homeless people grows within any city, so too does the population of people who become accustomed to witnessing it. As adults we may even be forgiven for becoming desensitized to the images we see of people struggling. We rationalize that it’s one of those unfortunate facts of life in a big city.
Which is why I am so glad there are young people like Hannah Taylor.
Hannah is passionate about helping the homeless. She is only 13 years old, yet she’s already established a foundation to support the homeless called The Ladybug Foundation.
It aims to increase awareness and raise funds to assist operating charitable organizations providing food, shelter, and other needs of the homeless and near homeless in Canada, without judgement, so they can find dignity, security, hope and refuge.
Late last year, the Canadian Club of London invited Hannah to speak at one of their luncheon events. While here, she dropped by London’s Unity Project for Relief of Homelessness. From a stately, large brick home on Dundas Street, this charity provides emergency shelter, transitional housing and drop-in support in a safe, secular and home-like setting. Men and women participate in every aspect of everyday life and shelter operations.
A few months after her visit, we received word that Hannah was issuing a $10,000 grant to Unity Project from her foundation in Winnipeg. It came with a challenge: raise the same amount from donors within our own city.
It was a call to action that could not be ignored.
That is partly why Unity Project was successful in an application for a $5,000 grant from our Urgent Need Grant Program and also in attracting an additional $5,000 of support from The Richard and Beryl Ivey Fund, a donor advised fund within London Community Foundation.
Upon hearing about this collaboration, some London Free Press staff got involved by holding a book sale and giving proceeds to Unity Project.
It will be interesting to see how far we can leverage Hannah’s gift. As we get ready to publish London’s Vital Signs report in October, I’ll be inspired to remember her visit and the impact she has made on our city.
Martha Powell is CEO of London Community Foundation
Pictured: Rob, Silvia Langer, Chuck Lazenby and Marscey display a quilt made by Lazenby that will be sent to Hannah at Ladybug Foundation.
