Dear Editor,
Re: “Social service agencies send S.O.S.,” News, Sept. 16.
Where is the leadership?
The measure of a society is how it treats its most vulnerable citizens. You can’t be more vulnerable than people like Michael Novacluse who has no job, no home or shelter — due to the scarcity of affordable rentals — and no hope.
Canada is one of the wealthiest nations and Richmond seems to be as affluent as any community.
When you look at the excessive development, the push to demolish family homes and replace them with monster homes and luxury condominiums, the parade of expensive cars choking our crowded streets. It’s hard to believe that, in this city of riches, homelessness grows.
And our leaders in all levels of government — federal, provincial and municipal — are proving they possess few leadership skills or the will to solve the problem.
I am a councillor and warden at St. Alban Anglican Church and — unlike our mayor and council, our MLAs, and our MPs — our aging and shrinking congregation has initiated measures that are trying to improve the lot of our most vulnerable citizens.
More than a decade ago, St. Alban founded the community meal, where almost 200 people get a hot, delicious meal for free every Tuesday.
Hugh Freiberg, who is mentioned in Friday’s article, takes meals after the dinner and delivers them to the homeless who are unable to attend.
Dianne Woodhouse, also featured in the article, established the St. Alban daytime drop-in centre for those who need to have some warm, dry shelter, coffee, hot lunch and access to counsellors.
We also have the only extreme weather shelter, where women and children and men can find warmth, companionship and a hot breakfast during cold, wet and snowy weather.
Furthermore, St. Alban operates a Saturday morning shower program for those who need a shower, clean clothes and a hot breakfast.
Here’s a challenge to Mayor Malcolm Brodie and Richmond council, MPs Alice Wong and Joe Peschisolido, and MLAs John Yap, Teresa Wat, and Linda Reid: It’s time you show some real leadership in this crisis. After all, that is why you have been elected, some of you for more than a decade, while this problem of poverty has festered.
Don’t let St. Alban’s dwindling and aging congregation put you to shame.
Do the honourable thing and show us you are worthy of being called honourable!
Eric Hanson
Richmond
