day 4

Day 4

Michael

“Yesterday proved to be another good day. The telegram found us and took some pictures. The community was once again generous as always with monetary and food donations. We were once again able to do some outreach work and provide some food to those who really need it.

We were fortunate enough to be able to sit down as a group and enjoy a meal together. We enjoyed a feed of goulash as we watched ourselves on the NTV news in Atlantic Place.

I had my first experience ‘dumpster-diving’ last night. We had some cardboard stashed in our sleeping location, however, when we returned to the location to sleep, it was gone so we had to spend a few hour s searching for more before we could sleep.

I am looking forward to our full last day on the streets today. The sun is out and we made it to the front page of the Telegram, so I’m really looking forward to the response from the community today!”

Kayla

“It’s so hard to write first thing in the morning. I am not awake, I have no clue where to begin, I just don’t feel awake. I’m not a morning person but living on the streets turns you into one. You have no choice when you ‘bed’ is in the backyard of someone’s work place.

Yesterday we got our first real HOT homemade meal donated. Goulash, yummy! It’s the first time I’ve felt a full sense of living, while living on the streets, such a nice feeling.

We’ve been getting food donated all week and giving back to the community. It’s such a great feeling to open your bag of food and give to someone in need.

We gave to an older man and as we made our way up the street, I looked back to see the man sharing what we have to another man. I was taken back because this man probably doesn’t eat on a regular basis and he probably doesn’t know where his next meal is coming from, but yet he still shared. People like us, with a cupboard home full of food can be so greedy. It was definitely a learning lesson. Another thing that stands out for me from last night was a conversation Blair was having with one of the men.

They were talking about x-box and this man had never heard of it. I just instantly teared up. It’s so foreign to me, like, who hasn’t heard of an x-box? Something so simple that we take for granted, crazy!

Last full day is today, and as exciting as it is, it is so bitter sweet. I’m going to miss each and every person, I’m so grateful that I got to meet everyone. You never know what could happen and where you can go once you step out of your comfort zone. The strength one person can hold is simply amazing – you can really surprise yourself. Well I’m off to enjoy our last full day on the streets of Downtown as our Sleep Out 120.

Have I mentioned it’s sunny? YAY!

‘Life begins at the end of your comfort zone’ – unknown”

Kathyrn

Some more young people I work with stopped by and showed their support, I’ve been so overwhelmed.

We got some more media coverage yesterday.

Things I take for granted:

1.       Sitting at a table (we did sit at Atlantic Place, and people got up around us as we did so)

2.      A warm, hot, homemade meal (we did get one donated to us today, and we were really thankful)

3.       Being able to chat to family, my fiancé, and friends at any point in the day.

4.      Having a bed (we have to dumpster-dive for more cardboard last night)

5.      A shower, people really take for granted the feeling of being clean and not smelling

6.      The feeling of being safe and secure (personally, I slept well, but not everyone in the group feels as secure)

7.       Being able to pick and choose what I want to eat and when

8.      Being able to sleep in

One thing I’ve noticed is how time goes by so slow.

It feels great to have support from the community. People have chatted with us and shared their stories. We had one lady last night, who was a social service worker in Ontario. T0 hear her experience and hear how proud she was of us made me feel so happy.

Two youth stopped by and actually sat down to chat with us while we were on the side of Atlantic Place. They were not homeless but were very interested in the campaign and why we were out in the streets.

The weather has changed a few times and today is the only day it is sunny and should be half decent. I’m developing a cold.

We are on the front page of the telegram today! Sweet! We went to Atlantic Place yesterday when someone donated our first hot meal. We all sat as a group and ate it.

I can’t believe the 2o12 campaign is almost over, it has grown so much over the last few years. I’ve been so honored to be part of this.

A couple of people shouted ‘Get a job!’ and ‘wannabe homeless people’. Just shows we need to keep doing this and also need to take the good with the bad – not everyone supports us.

It has been an emotional experience and down to the final day. Yipeee!”

Robyn

“Exhaustion – that’s pretty much all I feel in every aspect. Physically, everything hurts. It’s been an emotional roller coaster. Mentally, my thoughts are all over the palace and it’s hard to process.

Last night was the first warm meal we have received, since we started. We sat down and ate it together, like a family; it was one of my favourite parts of the campaign.

These people have become family, I honestly cannot ask for a better group of people to share this experience with (so when you guys read this… thank you, I love my little sleep out fam).

Last night, we also got to see the first piece of media coverage on Sleep Out while we were sitting in Atlantic Place. It’s really odd seeing yourself on tv, but it’s fantastic to see how much media attention we are getting!

It’s our last day! It’s sunny! I can almost feel the shower now! As of 12pm today there will be 24 hours left. I cannot wait to trade in the cardboard and sleeping bag for my bed. I can’t wait to be able to talk to my friends all the times I want. It’s going to be so good to be home, though part of my heart will remain here with the people we’ve met on the streets.”

Jennifer (Naomi Centre) 24-hour participant

“It’s hard to journal when I’m still so tired. As a 24-hour participant, first of all, I must say – what a wonderful group of compassionate individuals.

I can’t imagine what it’s like to sleep outside on a regular basis, and still try to work, or look for a place to live, or try to find food. One of the things that I noticed last night was how vulnerable you feel sleeping outside. You become so aware of every noise, people walking by, etc.

It really hits home how tough it is for young people to not have safe places to go.”

Ashley

“Dear Sleeping Bag,

I’m excited for you to not be my bed at night, and not to depend on you alone to keep me warm. It’s been five days but, I feel we should end our relationship. We’ve had a good run, but I need more support. I’m tired of carrying you on my back. It’s exhausting.

Day 5: tired, exhausting, and hilariously delirious.”

Jody-Beth

“As the days continue on there seems to be more down time than up. Think about just one time you were ignored by someone, how much it hurt and how rejected you felt… as humans I think we need to feel validated and loved, which is why we constantly surround ourselves with friends and family.

After four days of people ignoring, and acting like you more of a burden than a human, you really start to feel it, and almost believe it. BUT THEN… a group of superheroes show up! They swoop in on a big yellow bus, toothy grins, sending us smiles and waves, shouting and yelling. We were excited, and our energy was recharged. Kids; they see peoples innocence, not the clothes they’re wearing. They see everyone as human beings, not their jobs and social status.

Imagine if we all thought like kids…”

Lindsay

Only one day left! We woke up this morning and it was so good to see the sun. Today is the first day we’ve seen the sun all week.

Yesterday was pretty good, it’s always such a great feeling to see people approaching us and telling us how much they respect what we are doing.

Last night while we were on George Street, a group of guys walked by, and they were saying, ‘you don’t want to be homeless, get a job’. I was so angered by this, I couldn’t get over what he said, and I couldn’t stop ranting about it. I don’t know how people can do it for months or even years. No one deserves to be treated this way.

While we were walking to our sleeping spot, too men were following us. The way they approached us had my heart beating so fast. I didn’t know what was going to happen, and I was scared to death. It was fine after we realized that they themselves were homeless, and they were harmless – living on the streets is a scary thing.

This made me think about all of the times a homeless person has been approached or attacked on the streets, this probably occurs on a daily basis. I don’t know how they do it, it’s a scary reality.

Today is our last full day on the streets. The sun has got all of our spirits up, I cannot wait to go home and shower then crawl into bed. Knowing this, is what will get me through today.”

Blair

The media coverage has been great; the community really seems to be committed to this issue. To change youth homelessness, we need all levels of government, private sector, and the community to be involved with the solution.

The community expressed concern and has shown some real compassion towards our campaign.

The Choices’ Outreach has been a great support in the mornings, along with the committee members from Stella Burry, Waypoints, and the NLHHN. We had a tremendous team this year.

Overall, it has been a humbling experience, I was glad to be part of the planning, process and implementation of the campaign.