Hey, @T.R. Trying to get a sense of your stance on some shit (heh-pun intended and relevant maybe based on your previous av) I don't know how much of my existence you've bothered to notice, so here it is. I work at an agency that's funded about 70% by the gov't and 30% by tax deductible donations. The annual budget is about $8M or around 30 cents per taxpayer in this province. We currently house about 130 people on various gov't pensions/supports (between 800 welfare or up to 1500 disability, seniors get a bit more) paying about 1/6 of their incomes in rent. We also have a number of other services for low income folks; drop-in, meal program, financial literacy, literacy literacy, mental and medical health, harm reduction, addiction services (no SCS)... a shit load of stuff. All told, I think we have 3000 individual clients. Over the next few years, we'll be increasing our housing capacity to 750+. Our non residential programming will likely increase with that. I'm just wondering where you stand on that sort of use of tax money? (edit to correct numbers I should've looked up before posting)
I think only a hardcore heartless libertarian would say no to using tax money for that purpose. IMO thats a good use of tax payer money. I might lean more to the right, but there IS a reason I use T.R for my handle and not Reagan.
@Spaceturkey is it Covenant House? You don't have to confirm publicly if you don't want to. PM me the name as I'd like to make a donation. Cheers
Looked at the site. Sounds like a really great organisation! I can't tell from the website how well those goals are actually achieved, but even aiming toward them is wonderful. This world needs a lot more like that. And a lot more like you. To me, that's not a waste of taxpayer money. That's the kind of thing taxpayer money should be used for. If we just want everyone to take care of themselves, we don't need any kind of government. Wild West, law of the jungle, unbridled capitalism where the strong thrive and the weak are left to suffer (often precisely because the strong "thrive" at their expense, congratulating themselves on it all the way). If we have governments, and if we pay taxes, it's so that the people as a whole can help take care of those who need that help.
there's a link about halfway down the splash page to last year's annual report with a lot of the numbers-at least the "hard" ones. Anything listed as an interaction is what actually got written down (we switched up our software for client tracking in 2024, which made note taking a little clunky). Truly appreciate that coming from you, as I remember some of the community development you've mentioned being involved in at an international level. It takes all of us...
Just made a donation to the supportive housing fund. Homelessness is becoming a big problem not just in Toronto, but everywhere. All levels of governments need to step up big time, but the private sector and community also have a role to play.
Thanks, man. We're always grateful for individual support and every amount matters. (that's also the dept. I'm in.). Doug has been a challenge for our industry, but the neighbourhood has traditionally been supportive and involved. I like that neighbours will approach me with minor concerns, especially as they often know who the folks they're concerned about are by name. We can often help maintain community integration/expectations more effectively with a "YIMBY" approach to the relationship.
Anyway, if anyone's interested in this shit, AMA in my blue room thread. I'm pretty much just a grunt/rookie and limited in interpreting some of the info, even if I know where to find it.
I tried looking on the website about the meal programs, I could help with that. We do a ton of stuff with Vancouver and Montreal food banks. Any idea who provides the meals?
[/quote] we do with an onsite kitchen that covers two a day at the drop in and two for the mid level supports building. I think they're supplied by Second Harvest and Daily Bread which are the central distributors to a couple of organizations and most food banks. Thanks Ten.
Talked to my sales guy in Toronto and we’re already supplying Daily Bread. Glad to know it’s getting to you and your organization
