‘Three Days on the Streets’ 2009
In August 2009, Ve’ahavta’s director, Avrum Rosensweig, along with three colleagues, Alvaro and Boris Castellanos and Jacqueline Stein, set out for three days (and nights) onto the streets of Toronto to speak with — and learn from — those we refer to as ‘homeless’.
The goal of this inaugural initiative was to build mutual understanding and compassion, where none previously existed, between the housed public and those living on or near the streets. We invite you to read on learn more…
Follow Avrum as he details his journey on his blog, www.avrum.net, or click on each paragraph below to read more:
Avrum Rosensweig, Director of Ve'ahavta, at The Toronto Friendship Centre
It’s Wednesday morning and I’ve been up since 6:30. I had to pack. It occurred to me very clearly last night that, I am going to the homeless. I am visiting them in their home – which might be a gully, cul de sac or on a grating somewhere. I am not, nor am I trying to pretend I will be homeless.
Yesterday – Wednesday, was the launch of our ‘3 Days on the Street’. It was quite amazing. We started off at The Good Shepherd, a very well-run shelter, drop-in, that serves up to four meals a day, to well over 800 people. I had the chance to interview a couple of men, both of whom have been living on the street (on and off) for a long time.
I interviewed a number of people again living on the street and right now I’m feeing that life is one big tragedy. My goal, however, was to come out into the street and share with you the character and experiences of those people we call homeless.
I have been on the streets now for close to three days. It’s Friday and soon I’ll head over to Trinity Square to conduct a memorial for the homeless. We will then say Kaddish for those men and women, our fellow citizens, who have been found dead in local dumpsters or in the hills of Rosedale Valley on a cold winter day.
To read a collaborative piece written by Avrum Rosensweig and Jacqueline Stein about life on the streets of Toronto, click here.
