by TDOT-J on February 24, 2010
You need not be a mathematician, historian or English professor to know that ‘proactive government’ equals a big oxymoron. But finally, it pleases me to say that our society may be showing a hint of civilization after all. Since 2008, the provincial government of Alberta has heavily invested in affordable housing for what is part of an attempt to end homelessness over the next 10 years.
The program is designed around the housing first philosophy, also known as Rapid Re-housing. It is currently up and working in many capitol cities across the United States and has now finally touched down in Canada (Alberta and Vancouver). The idea behind the philosophy is to secure a home for all people currently homeless or facing homelessness. Providing a stable home is the first step in a long process which addresses all mental and physical health concerns, and provides free education in order to allow individuals the chance to regain control of their lives.
This program is absolutely necessary and long overdue. Unfortunately it will only work as intended if the assistance truly goes beyond providing housing and delves into the heart of each individual’s personal issue(s). Every year, conditions caused from homelessness claim many lives including children. Unfortunately, it is not only individuals that end up homeless, but rather whole families. No price is too great to pay to provide the gift of private shelter and practical social assistance to every citizen of our country.
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by TDOT-J on January 20, 2010
Since the collapse of our economy in 2008, debt has become a
household word. The general public is almost expected to have accrued debt over
the past few years. And as the economy strengthens, sacrifices will be made and
debts will be paid off. But for many, debt is not a temporary inconvenience to
be sorted; for many, debt is a way of life.
In school from a young age we are taught to count, to spell, even
to draw and act. But why have we forgotten to add the most important aspect of
life to the curriculum- saving. It doesn’t take a complicated survey to prove
that our society does not live within its means. We live in debt and in fear of
our bills, and usually we don’t act until the final hour when it is often too
late. If we can treat money as one of life’s necessities and start to teach our
children to manage it from a young age, we will be one small step closer in our
fight against poverty.
Money management has always been a lesson taught at home, but what
if your home doesn’t have the lesson? Living within your means is an integral
part of any responsible adult’s life. You pay your bills and you don’t spend
what you don’t have. Eventually you build up a security nest from your managed
savings, and with those savings you pay for both the happy and unhappy events in
life. We make sure that our children can build sentences, so why not teach them
to build finances as well? Adding such teachings throughout the K-12 curriculum
will not end poverty, but will lead to a stronger and more secure future for our entire society.
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You need not be a mathematician, historian or English professor to know that ‘proactive government’ equals a big oxymoron. But finally, it pleases me to say that our society may be showing a hint of civilization after all. Since 2008, the provincial government of Alberta has heavily invested in affordable housing for what is part of an attempt to end homelessness over the next 10 years.
