CollingwoodToday welcomes letters to the editor at [email protected]. Please include your daytime phone number and address (for verification of authorship, not publication). The following letter is in response to an article about tent cities in Collingwood, published Aug. 24.
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As a retired social worker, I have witnessed many occasions when illness or bad luck propelled people into desperate situations. It’s very hard to surface again.
But, we in Collingwood should try to help anyway. I wonder if anybody really makes assessments of what the individuals could do work-wise in this period when many jobs go unfilled.
For instance, during harvest times, could they be accommodated on farms while working there? I know it’s hard work, but some might have the stamina. Or could we have places where willing and able workers just could show up for daily pickup? No permanent address needed. We need to start somewhere.
Can the people organize themselves into work groups as painters, beach maintenance, window cleaners, etc.? They could use these work experiences on their CVs.
They don’t want luxury housing: one spacious room with warm running water, toilet facility, cooking, and security. Perhaps instead of tents, small huts.
Now don’t come along with all kinds of regulations. They are not living under any regulations now. At least they need security from the elements and harassment.
Dorit Murray
Collingwood
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