Tea with the Queen (sorta)

I had the honour this past week to have had the Governor General of Canada, Michaëlle Jean come by Directions Youth Centre to have audience with a group of our youth on homeless issues.

As with any government dignitary, the reflex response is to not trust them, believe that they are going to fill the room with half-truths and promises that were never intended on being kept.

I have to say, as was the response I got from everyone who was at that this "closed to the media" event. She ACTUALLY listened to the youth, ACTUALLY gave the real impression that she cared and ACTUALLY appeared that she was going to address these issues.
She took notes and promised to convey those issues to BC Premier Gordo Campbell, who she had a meeting with after us.

Some of the issues conveyed were...
1) Transitional support systems.
2) Assisted housing
3) Detox centres for youth

She didn't offer any solutions, because the solutions were already presented to her by a very eloquent group, but she did listen and has the power to make people like Gordo listen and act. She was very convincing in her convictions to end homelessness.

Later that evening, we had a press conference for the website www.inourshoes.ca The mayor showed up and gave his blessings with a very sterile speech that basically deflected a great deal of financial responsibility to the federal government. I agree, the federal government needs to pull up a chair in this discussion, but it concerns me that Gregor has indicated that he has hit a municipal financial wall. Later that evening we invited local business, the mayor and financial partners to walk a mile in the shoes of youth who have or currently live on the streets. They were able to show a side of Vancouver that people don't often see in the business community.

All in all, an empowering day. One that wasn't lost on anyone who was involved.

Here is hoping that our voices were heard...