The Pointe-Claire Record

Happiness Doesn’t Result From What We Get, but From What We Give

Once again, we are bringing you news and information that is helpful, relevant, and hopefully informative. In this issue we have chosen to focus on food insecurity and homelessness, something that — believe it or not — does exist here in Pointe-Claire. In fact, homelessness in Quebec has doubled since 2018, according to the Ministry of Health and Social Services.

Food insecurity has also doubled in Montreal over the past four years. It's not that surprising when we see income stagnation and inflation making necessities such as food and housing unaffordable for many.

Even here in our beautiful city, if you look closely, you will see the struggles of people who outgrew youth protection, who got evicted or lost much-needed jobs, refugees struggling to make ends meet, seniors on a fixed income, and people kicked out of campsites dismantled by Montreal officials.

It’s easy to think that this is not an issue that affects me; it’s normal to think that those people who need handouts, who live on the street, they’re different, and maybe they need to try a little harder. But misfortune affects everyone in a community. What if some of these people needing help simply lack some of the advantages we’ve come to take for granted in our lives?

I’m ashamed to admit that, as a teen moving from Mississauga to downtown Toronto, I actually once asked a young person on the street, “Why are you asking for money? Why don’t you just get a job?” I had been reading Ayn Rand’s The Fountainhead and naively thought that as long as you tried hard enough, money and satisfaction would come your way. Many years and experiences later, I finally began to see that each of us is born into very different circumstances. No one wants to live on the streets. No one wants to have to ask for handouts like food or money. As a volunteer with street youth in Vancouver in the early aughts, I came to really appreciate the stable home I grew up in and how my parents built me up with confidence and self-esteem so I could be the resilient person I am today. Most of the kids I worked with were running away from bad homes or struggling with mental health issues that their parents weren’t willing or able to address. Covenant House Vancouver gave them the support and guidance to achieve their life goals.

Thankfully, there are a lot of great people and organizations right here in the West Island who assist our fellow citizens who are unfortunate enough to be unhoused or hungry. We hope that you will learn more about how these folks are making a difference in our community and maybe be inspired to help out as well.

Caroline Speirs

Communications, Pointe-Claire Citizens' Association