Historically, poverty has been around for a very long time. 

And perhaps there have been places and times of day, when, one should not frequent areas of one鈥檚 city or town. But I meet people who now say they avoid downtown Courtenay.  They are afraid. I believe this fear stems from a sense of guilt 鈥� those of us who are housed have so much by comparison.  And it does not come from their sense of gratitude about having a roof over their heads.  It derives from their poverty 鈥� poverty of spirit.

As a society, we are 鈥渁fraid鈥� of the poor, afraid of the elderly 鈥� they shake our sense of well-being. I was recently in a town in the Kootenays and used the public bathroom in their lovely new public library.  In the disabled cubicle, someone was sleeping curled up on the floor.  The bathroom had a stale and smoky smell.   After using the bathroom, I told the librarian about the occupant in the women鈥檚 room.  She thanked me with a kind expression on her face and slowly went to the washroom. I did not see the woman come out and suspect the librarian gently encouraged her to leave. 

Later, when I used the washroom again, there was a woman鈥檚 boot on the sink and one cubicle 鈥渋n use.鈥�  Outside, some city workers were gently encouraging some folks who were settling in the public park to 鈥渕ove on.鈥�  But where can they go?  To another park, another public building?  We clearly need more supported housing, and we need to help people recover from their addictions.

But there is a deeper need in our society.  Yes, it is good to give and to give more in this cold dark season, with Christmas approaching.  But we also need to deeply evaluate our wealth and poverty.  Are we thankful for what we have received in life?  Are we saddened by poverty and want?  Do we turn away our faces or show kindness in our street encounters?  Poverty may always be with us, but we can work to heal our poverty of kindness, of compassion.

 Many local charities need our generosity at this time of year.

To name a couple: Santa's Workshop - call for an appointment to shop - open from 9 a.m. to 3 pm - 250-338-5133 situated at 2946 Kilpatrick Ave, Courtenay (which has gifts for children).

Salvation Army Christmas Assistance Line for Hampers - 250 250 5133.

Jennifer Pass is the co-ordinator of Comox Valley Elders Take Action (ETA)