Don’t Stop Believing
Arnel Pineda of Journey
This is an inspiring story indeed and one that should be shared, especially among those who could use a little good news now and then. All too often, in communities throughout the world we hear about our homeless and those living in poverty. Many stories are negative but as we give thanks today for all that we have, we should celebrate, for there are those that refuse to give up and serve as beacons of hope. Here is a success story that will inspire all of us and demonstrates the strength in those who “Don’t Stop Believing“.
Many communities, including Red Deer, Alberta have identified Homelessness as a priority. City council recently endorsed “Everyone’s Home” – a 5 year community initiative towards ending homelessness from 2010 – 2015 Many people and various organizations have taken the lead in getting people off the street and into necessary shelter. A social marketing campaign is also well underway in an effort to reduce discrimination and hopefully change the way we treat some of our most vulnerable community members.
In Red Deer, the 3rd edition of our Vital Signs Community Annual Check Up for 2009 was recently released. It’s a snapshot of what our community deems some of it’s most important issues. The Top 3 issues identified are (1) Crime/Law & Order, (2) Health Care and (3) Poverty/Homelessness/Hunger. Also making headlines this past week was Canada capturing the No. 4 position on the United Nations “Quality of Life” index. The UN’s description for quality of life is – “notion of human welfare (well-being) measured by social indicators rather than by “quantitative” measures of income and production.”
Community Crime Prevention efforts makes all of this very relative as the Top 3 community issues in Red Deer are likely a concern among many communities around the world. It raises many important questions as citizens or as crime prevention practitioners. How are you addressing these concerns as a resident of your community? How are parents engaging their children to become part of a solution? Is your employer playing an active role or simply concerned with creating an impressive bottom-line for it’s shareholders? For those of us focusing on crime prevention in our communities we need to take a closer look at how we can make an impact. Can we improve the built environment (CPTED) by making places safer for our homeless and vulnerable populations? Can our public servants be more understanding and respectful of those less fortunate? It’s important that we continue to ask ourselves these types of questions but critical that we make the necessary adjustments that will bring about changes in our behavior. I encourage everyone this Thanksgiving to “believe” that they can be part of the solution and to demonstrate this in some small way each day – this is community spirit in action!
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Greetings, enjoyed this story and it’s facts on homelessness…definately a concern in many cities and recently in many townships across Canada…Yes! I believe public servents could offer more service as well as communities…by continuing to avoid the homelessness I feel we amplify their restlessness and motivation to commit crime and prolong there substance abuse…Selflessness and status quo are two key factors that destroy a society…especially community spirit inititatives…On a positive note, We can restore pride in our homeless people through community spirt in action!…Outreach teams, Community celebrations, Charity programs, and prayer are valuable resources to start the processes of dealing with our homelessness issues…By participating in one or two of these valuable resources we are defusing our fear, our selfessness and for all of us we are “Returning To Our Teachings”, of Respect, Trust, caring/sharing and forgiviness…”We Can Do It!”…