This is a remarkable video:
Video by Calgary Police Services
The loss of family in a very materialistic society results in devastation. It appears the wealthier the city, the greater the problem of homelessness. Perhaps, because a city is so wealthy, the homeless become so apparent.
It has been some time, years, since I last posted. I had planned to make a comprehensive study of the problem of the homeless mentally ill in one of the world's wealthiest cities. I believe I have accomplished that and from some of the comments that have come my way, I believe the task was very worthwhile. Many have written that this blog has helped them in times of trouble. Lord knows, we have all been through times of trouble and if anything I have done has helped, then it was worthwhile.
I had stopped posting because I went to work at the Calgary Drop-In Centre -- probably the world's largest homeless shelter. It is an amazing place with amazing people. The staff who work there are beyond description as far as the best attributes that can be found in human beings goes. There can be up to 1500 homeless people per night staying there. There are five floors. No one is turned away except for the extremely violent who would be a danger to the staff and other clients. Other than that, no one is turned away. Ever.
I worked nights. Mostly I worked on the first floor, at the entrance door and in the extreme intoxication ward. Sometimes I worked in the lobby where those in extreme intoxication had been removed to. It was like a war zone where wounded and desperate people lay everywhere. I have never seen such a sight other than in pictures of refugee camps or places recovering from natural disaster. In spite of the devastation, there is the consistent manifestation of unbelievable kindness and generosity between clients and among staff. It is a truly remarkable place. It changed me.
I also worked on other floors where people could try to get their lives together. Some of the floors had clients who worked daily and were waiting to get a place or established. These were sober floors. There are programs and counselling services. There is an artists' studio. There is an extensive kitchen and food. The place was built by the people of Calgary, primarily, who raised the money for it. It continues to run as a charity. It is right downtown and in a beautiful building. The place has saved a lot of lives. However, sometimes we lose people whose bodies have been found in the adjacent river or frozen in a parking lot nearby. Sometimes we are told of someone in trouble and we go and get them and bring them into the warmth. It was winter then and people freeze to death in Calgary.
At first I thought there would be a tremendous number of crack addicts. However, there were incredibly few crack addicts. Many had problems with alcohol. Some just had a really bad turn or series of turns in their luck. Practically every single client had been through the child protection agency or had been a foster child. No one had family other than other people on the street. The lack of family, as children and as part of growing up, was the most remarkable and outstanding statistic. It appears there is a tie between us and our birth parents, that if broken has devastating results. The power of the family is absolute in our lives. After being at the DI for four months that winter, that is an obvious statistic.
There are those who man the trenches: men and women actually. Their weapon is selflessness. The battle cannot be won, but it must be fought. The resolution to this overwhelming injustice is included in teachings of many admired teachers and leaders in the past. It is our materialism that is killing us. But how do we change that? Indeed, how do we change?
