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TDRC Media Releases |
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February 11, 2002 "Drastic Cuts" to Homeless Services Coming Soon TORONTO
– The
names of four homeless individuals who have died so far in 2002 will be
added to the Homeless Memorial during a monthly vigil on Tuesday, February
12th. The noon hour ceremony will also include a Budget Rally
as homeless advocates prepare to fight City Hall’s proposed $2.6 million
dollar cut to homeless services. “The CAO’s own report calls this a ‘drastic cut to Hostel Services
frontline staff’, explains Tanya Gulliver, spokesperson for TorontoCAN,
a community-labour coalition. “These cuts will erode support services
for homeless individuals and result in longer shelter stays.” “We will be on track to ‘beat’ last year’s total of 40 known
homeless deaths if Council makes such a significant cut to homeless
shelters.” Gulliver added. “Four deaths already this year should
indicate to Council that there is a serious crisis - they should be
looking at adding beds to the system not causing it to deteriorate.” "The Memorial is our way of recognizing and remembering all those
who have lived on the streets of Toronto, and died as a direct result of
homelessness," states Musonda Kidd of the Toronto Disaster Relief
Committee. TDRC has called on City Council to add 1000 beds for the
homeless citing reports which show that the current system doesn’t even
meet the standards established for United Nations Refugee Camps. The Homeless Memorial is a partnership between the Church of the Holy
Trinity and the Toronto Disaster Relief Committee. The ceremony is
informal and organizers invite the public to bring flowers and candles, as
well as to share thoughts and memories of those they have lost. Speakers
on Tuesday will include John Cartwright, President, Toronto York Region
Labour Council; Cathy Crowe, Street nurse and founder of the TDRC; as well
as homeless advocates, friends of the deceased and homeless individuals. When: Tuesday, February 12th 2002 – 12noon For more information, contact TDRC at tdrc@tdrc.net -30- |