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#IHeartHomeYYC, Alberta, Calgary, Calgary Homeless Foundation, Canada, community, courage, Diana Schwenk, Homelessness, Hump Day Chronicles, mission, passion, Purpose, Ten Year Plan to End Homelessness
I wake up in my warm, Lower Mount Royal apartment in Calgary, Alberta. It’s freezing cold outside. Do I really want to leave the warmth of my cozy home and venture out into the cold?
I pulled into the parking lot around 8:30 AM and got into line with eight or so other people to pay $3 at the parking meter conveniently located outside.
It was cold. About -16, that’s minus 20-something with the wind chill.
My thin, black gloves were no match for the cold. By the time it was my turn at the meter, my hands were numb. My face was stinging from the wind.
I headed back to my car to put the paid ticket on the dashboard. Where did I park my car?? My toes were beginning to freeze in my pretty little red shoes as I scanned the parking lot for my car.
Oh there it is!
With the ticket carefully placed face-up on the dash, I headed toward the Red and White Club to join 400+ others who were there for the launch of the updated 10 Year Plan to End Homelessness.
As I retrieved my name tag, my hands started to thaw and my fingertips felt as if they were on fire.
And then it hit me.
I just spent twenty minutes in the cold. Twenty minutes. That’s all.
But I remember that there are thousands of homeless people in my city who spend a lot more than twenty minutes out in the cold each and every day!
There’s something intrinsically wrong with that.
And I’m glad I ventured out and came to the Community Summit on ending homelessness. Thanks for the invite Louise!
Following is what I learned either by the presentations given or information that was published in the handouts available at each table.
We face this situation (ending homelessness) head on, and some might even say, head strong. ~ Diana Krecsy, President and CEO of the Calgary Homeless Foundation.
Krecsy went on to say that it will take more than collaboration to end homelessness in Calgary. It will take a Collective Impact.
There are five conditions that need to be met for Collective Impact:
- Common Agenda
- Shared measurement
- Mutually reinforcing activities
- Continuous Communication
- Backbone support
There are three preconditions for Collective Impact:
- Influential champions
- Urgency of issue
- Adequate resources
The updated plan to end homelessness identifies four priority directions. These are:
- Prevention & Integration
- Housing & Supports
- Coordination & Optimization
- People, Policy & Resources
This Plan is a call for community ownership and co-leadership to end homelessness. Whether we belong to the service provider community, government, the private sector, academia, media, faith community, have lived experience, or are members of the public – we all have a role to play to ensure our vision of ending homelessness becomes a reality.
*View the community’s Updated Plan to End Homelessness here: http://www.ihearthomeyyc.com/
~
I wake up in my warm, Lower Mount Royal apartment in Calgary, Alberta. It’s freezing cold outside. Do I really want to leave the warmth of my cozy home and venture out into the cold? If I don’t…if we don’t take up the challenge, how will we ever see an end to homelessness?
~ HUMP DAY CHRONICLES ~
Jim McKeever said:
Diana, I can’t imagine how anyone can be outdoors in such brutal conditions day after day, night after night. There are some who won’t “come inside,” as you know, but there are plenty of success stories. Here in Syracuse, check out the work of John Tumino and “In My Father’s Kitchen” via Facebook. It’s amazing, what he and his wife are accomplishing, not just with the homeless, but with refugees and others. And thank you for what you continue to do 3,000 miles away!
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dianasschwenk said:
Thanks Jim and thank you for all you do in Syracuse. ❤
Diana xo
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Gina's Professions for PEACE said:
Great post Diana! Filled with hopefulness and enthusiasm. Love the focus on ENDING hopelessness. So glad you and Louise could connect there as well. What a pair of powerhouse women! Thanks for the ongoing inspiration (and apologies for being away for awhile. Looking forward to reading more and catching up!). Big hugs! xo Gina
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Gina's Professions for PEACE said:
oops… interesting Freudian slip there… meant to write ‘ENDING homelessness’. Anyways – just for clarity – I meant to type an M rather than a P. Imagine that. Only one letter difference!
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dianasschwenk said:
I did notice but thought hopelessness is also a big part of it. It made me smile. 🙂
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dianasschwenk said:
Thanks Gina, no apologies necessary ❤ good to see you here.
Diana xo
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Shakti Ghosal said:
Hi Diana,
Nice to be back here. Long time no hear.
Your post signifies the intrinsic Leader in you. You not only looked at possibilities but you also gave the call for action. But most important, you took a stand for something bigger than your own self – the community at large as also for the less fortunate seeking a roof over their heads.
Great post Diana!
Shakti
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dianasschwenk said:
Thanks Shakti, so good to see you here again! ❤
Diana xo
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Sheryl said:
Whew, it’s got to be absolutely horrible for someone to be homeless during the cold winter months. You are doing such important work as you seek to improve the situation for this group.
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dianasschwenk said:
Yes it is a hard life for sure Sheryl. Thanks for weighing in! ❤
Diana xo
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rachelcarrera said:
You have such a beautiful heart and soul. ❤
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dianasschwenk said:
Thanks Rachel, back at ya! ❤
Diana xo
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Minuscule Moments said:
Diana its people like you who can put themselves in someone else’s shoes that will get this done. It needs to happen all over the world. Thank you for sharing your views.
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dianasschwenk said:
Thanks Kath! ❤
Diana xo
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earthriderjudyberman said:
I love your analogy on the scallop. If everyone spent just 20 minutes in the bitter cold, maybe they’d understand the conditions that the homeless live in during winter. I hope that more is done to help those in society who are on the outside looking in. Bless you, Diana, for being among those who do care and take action. 😉
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dianasschwenk said:
Thanks Judy! I love the analogy too, but it isn’t mine. Everything after my morning experience in the parking lot and my summary at the end, was said or published in a handout that was available at each table. I’m going to re-read my post and make sure that’s clear. ❤
Diana xo
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earthriderjudyberman said:
No need to do so on my account. Everything that’s said has been said somewhere, some time before. It’s just a wonderful reminder. 😉
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dianasschwenk said:
🙂 !
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f-stop mama said:
I am so grateful for my little cabin in the woods. I cannot imagine what it must be like for those without a home. This is a problem we as a society must address. Thanks for sharing and I hope we can find a way to end this problem. Everyone should have access to a warm place to live.
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dianasschwenk said:
I agree – everyone should have access to a warm place to live! Thanks for weighing in Amy. ❤
Diana xo
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jmgoyder said:
We don’t seem to have homeless people in this small country town but in the adjacent small city of Bunbury, we do, but they are quite invisible. Thank you for giving me a new awareness.
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dianasschwenk said:
You’re welcome Julie! ❤
Diana xo
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joannerambling said:
There are homeless people in every country and many of us do not give them a second thought, in the area I live you rarely see a homeless person but that doesn’t mean the are not there maybe I just don’t notice them. Is that a bad thing yes it is and I know it, homelessness can affect anyone at any time this I also know
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dianasschwenk said:
Thanks for your honesty Jo-Anne. We’re all guilty of looking the other way on a multitude of issues at different points in our lives. But when we do notice and when we say enough is enough, hopefully we are compelled to do our part, right? ❤
Diana xo
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Alan A. Malizia: Contagious Optimism! Co-Author said:
Thanks, Diana.
We who wake up each morning in a warm bed and sturdy home should offer a daily prayer of thanks. Then offer another prayer for those who have not the reason as we to make that same prayer.
We need to turn both prayers, one of thanks and one of petition, into action so the homeless may be suitably sheltered. For many of us it can be accomplished through our place of worship.
-Alan
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dianasschwenk said:
I wonderful way for the faith community to take action Alan – thanks so much for weighing in! ❤
Diana xo
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Healing Grief said:
Great post Diana and you are right, we all have our role to play in supporting the community and this worthy cause. It’s just so hard to imagine being homeless in weather conditions such as yours. If we all contribute in some way, the burden lessens for everyone. Well done 🙂
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dianasschwenk said:
Amen to that Karen! ❤
Diana xo
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markbialczak said:
It’s such a problem, Diana, in your city, my city. Imagine all of our cities. We really need a lot of plans. Plural. I’m glad you are part of the solution and are setting an example, my friend.
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dianasschwenk said:
Thanks Mark, it is such a travesty that homelessness exists anywhere in North America. Period. 🙂
Diana xo
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vanbytheriver said:
We need more folks to step up to that challenge. It is so shameful that homelessness is a factor on our affluent continent. Good on you.
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dianasschwenk said:
Thanks Van! ❤
Diana xo
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Wendy L. Macdonald said:
Diana, this poignantly brings the message home. I wish the wealthy would stop treating real estate like a Monopoly game. They buy up tons of places and then rent them out at high prices. It drives up housing costs everywhere. Thanks for letting me rant.
We need to love our neighbors by not lining our pockets.
Blessings & hugs ~ Wendy ❀
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dianasschwenk said:
Love that statement: We need to love our neighbours by not lining our own pockets. Brilliant Wendy! ❤
Diana xo
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Wendy L. Macdonald said:
Even those, like me, with thinness pockets can donate lightly used items to thrift stores that help those in need, instead of selling them on e-bay etc. We can all help. ❤
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elizabeth2560 said:
I cannot imagine what it must be like to be homeless at anytime, and especially when it is so cold.
Good on you and Louise and everyone else involved in the drive for action.
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dianasschwenk said:
Thanks Elizabeth – thanks to Louise for sure! I need to figure out the way that I will contribute moving forward; it remains a cause that I am very passionate about. ❤
Diana xo
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Louise Gallagher said:
Thank you Diana for being part of the call to action, for heeding it and for doing your bit in making it happen.
The fact you came, and gave voice to what is important makes a difference.
Plus, it was just plain wonderful to have you there!
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dianasschwenk said:
It was good to see you too Louise and so many other old and familiar faces!
You and your team really out did yourselves. The event was outstanding and the action it generated on social media was mind-blowing! ❤
Diana xo
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