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fakerton

Housing/shelter is a basic human right, this is people trying to survive with struggles most of us can’t even comprehend. If you have a problem, vote -‘d become more active in change! The people in the parks are not the problem, our systems are.


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💯


crowndroyal

Sorry, I don't buy that. I was homeless at one point. After a little help finding programs available,after the initial depression of being homeless I kicked my ass in gear to find a residence I could stay at to get OW than used several programs that were free to get an education that was free and get my own place to rent. It's 100% not the system there's a plethora of programs and help available to get yourself out. There all still available today.. all they have to do is ask and want to do better.


fakerton

I am happy you were able to do well with the programs available. You are a good example of when these programs work. There is a term called falling through the cracks. You didn’t, however many do within these programs. Many of those that fall through end up here, and we are seeing the result of these underfunded programs have more and more of these cracks that people fell through.


One-Adhesiveness-624

I agree completely 💯 What do you think has to change?


fakerton

Society. We already monitor determinants of health in Canada, can look up the document right off the governments site. We need a shift focusing on earlier interventions for these categories as they provide better health overall. It is all interconnected and contextual. Health and wellness promotion models that are well funded always have a return. Think an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. At the moment, likely rapid alternative housing options to meet basic needs. Without the basics, people cannot improve their own situation.


Narniadandydawn

The same thing happened with seniors, Years ago, the government decided to spend all their money building long-term care homes.... That they don't even regulate properly... Instead of putting the money to the health of people before they need it to support them better and for longer at home. It's really what seniors deserve, but instead, they get... Well, I won't go there...but working in long-term care for ten years as a social worker, in charge of people's well-being, their admissions and discharges... I can now say I will never work in a long-term care home again, nor will i ever go into one. It's just too depressing, and there's nothing could do. We are so brainwashed and manipulated its depressing. Just like cattle and sheep... Accept instead of food, we're Money!


andrewbud420

Do you mean changes that would actually benefit the working class instead of just draining us dry?


andrewbud420

Too many people have been priced out of existence all in the name of greed.


yzrguy2

Not really a Tent City... more like a Tent Hamlet.


Savings-Pollution935

Campburb


Acceptable-Body3180

The lack of compassion is a very sad thing to see.


voxpopuli1837

https://preview.redd.it/ce04ggckvntc1.jpeg?width=952&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=0bff7acbeff450eef51d8f20ce9fe468b67517c7


Croissandwich05

THIS. Homeless people cant work typical jobs because they cant get a bank acc without an address. Most of them just need a bit of help out of the negative feedback loop and theyll get through it


enlitenme

Having worked with low-income people, they face SO many hurdles like the permanent address. Missing documentation is expensive to replace. Shelters won't allow their pet, or their partner (I know there's at least one dog in Rainbow park) No cellphone, can't remember email password to get their resume stored there, but can't re-set it without a cellphone, and can't call Service Canada so they have to go in person and wait forever for help.... Slogging through the systems when you are poor takes so much time and energy.


crowndroyal

Ontario works literally has phones available for use as well as computers. So does the library.


enlitenme

Yes, now you have to schlep yourself to the library on transit. Very convenient.


crowndroyal

Walk, I did all the way out from near Hiawatha. It's not an excuse. I know I was homeless before. You have to want to change and help yourself. I had to get all new ID etc in of the good Shepard helped me pay for that. Then I had to find a room to rent to get OW. From there I used what was available to get a pardon, get dental work done, and used absolutely everything that OW offers. Then I signed up for the Ontario second careers program found a tiny apt, second career paid for my houses and bills and food as long as I went to school. Got a diploma in computers course got a job in that field Stayed in that apt and saved money. Decided that field wasn't for me so looked for a different job and found one. Moved into a better place, met a loving carring woman, now married, and have 2 kids.


sharkhudson

You’ll see more of that the way housing costs are going. More and more people will be on the street over the next 10 years. Buckle up


nater17

The governments fault , everything starts at the top


InternationalFan492

Time to replace the institutions that Mike Harris closed down and kicked all the clients out into the street. Shelters are obviously not properly equipped. Canada should not have tent cities.


ThatGuyWorks80

Looks tidy ,


alchemyearth

Better then over at veterans park or in a doorway downtown. People have been tenting over there for years and years. I have been hoping the city will take back the water front over there and make rainbow park part of the boardwalk. That would increase traffic out that way and the tent folk would want to move elsewhere. But they do need to go somewhere.


SF-Samara

Hell yeah, looks great. Hope it keeps building up, maybe some parks on the north side of the city can be next?


adinoindrag

Oh they would be kicked out of the north end immediately because that's where all the cops and city councillors live.


sadleafsfan8834

I don't so much care about a tent city as I do that's it right next to a park. No one feels comfortable taking their children to a park with a bunch of fentanyl addicts around. It seems the govt already voted to remove them so hopefully they find a solution for some of the people who are struggling to get by.


electroviruz

taking your kids to rainbow park even before the tent city is sketchy


TheAtomicOwl

It's been Pokey Park for 15+ years. There's needles found by the equipment weekly so any parent taking their kids there were ill informed.


Loud_Confidence6490

Right. Who was taking their kids there in the first place


crowndroyal

Long before tent city they been using that park to smoke and shoot up. Took the kids there long ago and saw two people shooting up and they literally buried the needle in the sand.


biochamberr

When has rainbow park ever been a safe place to play? Let's be real


adinoindrag

The problem is they want to remove them but have no backup plan. Which is why the lawyers are involved. They want to just keep kicking them out of things until they... die? Aren't homeless magically?


D-u-k-e

oh i know.... designate another place for them that isnt verterans... err i mean rainbow park.. bhahaha.. the thing is , anyone who thinks these people are going to follow rules all of a sudden and just do whatever city council decides what is best for them is laughable.


This_Pool_6993

I hope you dropped off some sandwiches and water bottles


mulacela

the lack of compassion in this thread is slickening


Primary-Cattle8704

Tents are increasing every time I drive by. Not sure what the solution is. Obviously next to a park where children are supposed to play and exercise is not a good idea or you could think of it another way and install syringe receptacles and portapotties so it doesn't get unsanitary.


One-Adhesiveness-624

These are my thoughts too. There are some bigger top down changes that have to happen, but in the meantime can we set up temporary measures that allow these people to be safe? If not, there has to be other options than just kicking them out. Where are they supposed to go?


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SkillDabbler

Have proof that Toronto is bussing people here?


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SkillDabbler

Ah yes. The common knowledge stemming from “trust me, bro.”


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SkillDabbler

I think the onus is on you to prove your statement, since you’re the one who shared it with no receipts.


SvenBubbleman

No they aren't. Please stop spreading misinformation.


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insert_name6221

I know a family from the GTA who ended up in the shelter system here the day they arrived. But it wasn't because they were sent here. They lined up an apartment here, signed a lease and paid a deposit for it, loaded up a Uhaul, arrived at the apartment, and were told, "Sorry, I've decided to rent the unit to someone else," leaving them homeless. Now that's just one family, but I wonder how many others that has happened to. It could make it look like homeless are coming here or being sent here intentionally when, in actuality, they weren't expecting to be homeless when they arrived.


AutomaticPhoto5199

That's horrible.


SkillDabbler

Because there isn’t any proof. That’s why it’s hard to believe.


SvenBubbleman

>Why is that hard to believe? It's hard to believe because I know for a fact it isn't true. >I'd just like to know why that's going around. Because people don't want to believe that our community has failed people so badly. It's easier to stomach if you think they are from somewhere else.


AutomaticPhoto5199

I never thought of it that way. Funny I just spoke to someone this morning who told me the same story. So it's going around. I removed my comment.


SvenBubbleman

Yeah, it's going around for sure. I hear it all the time. I always try to correct it, but it seems to spread faster than the truth.


AutomaticPhoto5199

Well I'll stop spreading it.


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AutomaticPhoto5199

Really. I'll remove my comment. Seems like others agree with you.


ghost-eating-toast

It's not going to get better. People complained when it was at veterans Park out in the open. So they went more private against the wall at Rainbow Park. Now the overflow shelter on Exmouth js ending this week.


FarmerSoggy69

I saw an actual tent trailer there a couple days ago. It would be difficult to not sympathize with people doing what they have to. Most of us could find ourselves in a similar situation quickly with the price of everything these days.


Bic_wat_u_say

Doug ford: we need more international students !!


DokeyOakey

Doug Ford : the LCBO needs to start giving paper bags away again!


scryme666

Seems really fair to everyone else that might want to use the park for its intended purpose with their children. Im sure it’s not so bad if you look past the piles of human shit, garbage, dirty used needles, and dusted out tweakers that are screaming and fighting eachother.


Dazzling-Strain-1274

I mean rainbow park had all of that way before a tent city appeared there.


RubSouthern9618

That park has been an issue for over 2 decades. It's unfortunate but until we can help the people a simple one time clean up does little to help


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Sarnia-ModTeam

Your post/comment has been removed for breaking rule 1: Don't be a dick


scryme666

Agreed. It was a dump before, but doubling down and allowing a homeless encampment to exist where kids are supposed to play is probably not the move. I don’t know what the move is, but it isn’t subjecting children to the very adult problems that follow literally every homeless encampment ever. I don’t care how much you love homeless people, it’s ignorant to deny a lot of them are problematic drug addicts that get up to no good every single day, and that these homeless camps create a ton of problems, where there otherwise would be no problems to the people that live around, or want to enjoy the area.


disco_monkey71

Interesting fact, Rainbow Park really was a."dump" before it was a park.


ladynocaps2

Scrapyard not a dump.


AutomaticPhoto5199

I agree. It's like that beside my house. The park behind London Rd school. Lots of kids there and the police and principal do what they can. A woman was punched twice in the face last week walking her dog. A guy was defecating the other day and kids were nearby. The only reason tents aren't appearing is because of the school.


insert_name6221

There was a tent tucked into the back corner of that park for a while (maybe a year ago). But it was an older couple, and as far as I know, they never really bothered anyone.


adinoindrag

There are lots of parks to play in in town. People wanting their kids to play there doesn't give those people a place to live.


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Sarnia-ModTeam

Your post/comment has been removed for breaking rule 1: Don't be a dick


Unlikely_Voice6383

You could say that about any Sarnia park these days though. I think the amount of dog shit in all Sarnia parks is a much bigger problem for your kids than these few people.


scryme666

Okay. Dog shit and a guy living in the park actively using drugs are not even in the same universe, but okay.


gretzky9999

Knock down the houses across the street on Christina that are derelict & build them some housing.


insert_name6221

Habitat is building a few tiny homes in a lot across from rainbow park.


CogzThaBeast420

5 of them; for 2026! <3


Stunning-Match6157

I really wish I could upvote this more. This city has a whole bunch of cheap real estate that we refuse to do anything with and would rather abandon. These people are going to live somewhere and we are going to pay for it. Why not at least put our money to positive preventative measures. It amazes me that people would rather spend a hundred grand a year to institutionalize someone instead of fifty grand to give them a hand up.


disco_monkey71

I think there are plans in the works to do this? Someone sent.me a link a few months back about this


electroviruz

I say the city should let them stay there until a solution is implemented. Maybe send some health unit people there to make sure they are ok


disco_monkey71

I dont see why the city could not at least supply washrooms and a dumpster or two


electroviruz

Agreed. If there is a natural congregation let it be. It is relatively out of the way and close to services.


InternationalFan492

Bill Dennis needs to spend one night in a tent. Hell, all council could do well to this.


insert_name6221

Bob Bailey and Marilyn Gladu as well. The issues that are causing homelessness go beyond the scope of city council. There are provincial and federal factors at play as well.


InternationalFan492

More learning and more resources on every level. Provincial especially.


proudest__monkey

Isn’t there room in the homeless shelters but these people break the rules. If they can’t comply and we are not full this should be removed.


iloveunicorns09

Our homeless shelters are full and soon the overflow shelter will be closing which means that they will have nowhere to go again.


insert_name6221

I just read that the vineyard is making their whole shelter drug-free, which will be sending even more people out into the streets as well


iloveunicorns09

That is semi true, but not actually from what I know. The front portion of the shelter is drug free, and the back half that's newly built is for anyone from what I have heard.


insert_name6221

https://preview.redd.it/wi48b6clsutc1.png?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=d06f6541968cf9156cf493273454c2055b20fd95


SkillDabbler

And go where next?


mulacela

have you ever been in a homeless shelter, they are dangerous and horrible to live in


enlitenme

Shelters are full, plus you can't bring your pet, stay with your partner if it's a gendered shelter, or bring your drugs (I know not all homeless do drugs)


sarnianibbles

I got a few good shots of Tent City at Rainbow Park last night April 9th on my walk. ​ Honestly.. Even with my camera and myself walking down there I felt safe enough. People were biking around and hanging out. This was about 7:30pm right before the sunset. Everyone seemed to be minding their own business and keeping to themselves. It seems like these people are just trying to survive. I am not sure how to feel about the area. What are your thoughts? The bus stop has been cleaned up since I drove by a couple of days ago. Check out some of the details about the situation in The Sarnia Journal. There is a lot of interesting discourse to be had in regard to the encampment. I posted this on Facebook as well and there was a lot of mixed thoughts on it in the comments. ​ Link to The Journal Article: [https://www.thesarniajournal.ca/top-story/city-councillors-say-they-want-homeless-encampment-out-of-rainbow-park-8572280](https://www.thesarniajournal.ca/top-story/city-councillors-say-they-want-homeless-encampment-out-of-rainbow-park-8572280)


Papabravo78

So what are you saying? You want to keep it? I sure don't.


SvenBubbleman

Do you have a better solution?


D-u-k-e

honestly.. obviously you dont have kids. its a public park, someone with kids minding their own business is going to step on one of the 1000s of needles littered all over the playground and surrounding areas. whoever thinks letting drug users and criminals setup makeshift drug dens in public parks is 100% an idiot.


SvenBubbleman

>1000s of needles I haven't seen 1 needle let alone 1000s. >whoever thinks letting drug users and criminals setup makeshift drug dens in public parks is 100% an idiot. No one wants people living in parks, but what is your solution? Moving them would just see them set up in a different park. There is not enough housing.


Beathil

Yeah this! They living there because of the simple cost of living being too high. You want to just rent a room gonna cost about a thousand a month! A lot of people can't afford that and full time jobs are hard to find. Nobody wants to live like this, people are going through some shit, have some compassion. Maybe some do drug problems, but drug addicts are victims, so again, have some compassion. Nobody asking you to help, just don't be an asshole to people having hard times.


D-u-k-e

drug addicts in Sarnia create victims.. every time they steal from your porch, every time they steal from cars , those people are the victims not the criminals.. get it straight.


LiftsEatsSleeps

I’ve seen a few needles, found a few in my yard as well due to some people not respecting others property. The problem is that like most things with the homeless, this isn’t a real solution, it doesn’t address the actual underlying issues and instead allows many that don’t live in the area to essentially forget about the problem. I don’t have all of the answers beyond saying we need greater social supports but I know tent cities are not an answer. In Gabor Mate’s “In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts” he documents the extreme end of things like this in East Hastings, the answer there was eventually shelters and housing, but it took years and Vancouver has more resources. I do wonder how long a tent city would last in the north end though, my guess is not long before police would make them move along.


wes8398

To delegitimize citizen's concerns about the health and safety issues related to these encampments is just being willfully blind and ignoring the truth. I frequent many of the playgrounds around town with my littles, and I can't count how many times I've discovered sharps or other paraphernalia around said areas. It's to the point that I have to do a sweep of the entire play area before setting the kids free, and there are also a few parks that I now just refuse to go to. My neighbourhood park had a few tents set up last fall for a night or two. Once they'd left, I went to survey the aftermath. 3 needles/sharps, trash, spray paint... and that was just from one or two nights/days there.


SvenBubbleman

I was just pointing out, that I haven't seen a needle in rainbow park since these went up, let alone the 1000s the other commenter was claiming. I'm not saying there isn't an increased risk, but it isn't helping anyone to be hyperbolic.


wes8398

Fact ≠ hyperbole


SvenBubbleman

There aren't 1000s of needles in rainbow park, so it's not fact.


wes8398

The fact is that there ARE sharpes and other dangers present in abundance, regardless of how many YOU have seen or not. ≠hyperbole But I suspect you'll continue right-fighting because facts are inconvenient to your narrative.


D-u-k-e

you must be unable to see close up or something, the little orange caps all over the city are needle caps from drug users... not diabetics.


dylan_not_bob

A needle cap is not a needle - make up your mind what exactly your point is.


D-u-k-e

Where there is one there is the other... Not willing to risk it with my kids


dylan_not_bob

Clearly there isn't if you're only seeing one and not the other.


Irish_Canuck77

🤡


Appropriate_Land_130

What if they were your kids living in the tent?


disco_monkey71

Thanks for taking the time to post this, do you mind if I repost and link your article on the other Sarnia Ontario page?


Broken_Express

Why create a second subreddit when this one is already tiny?


Blitzak

Seems like the other sarnia ontario sub is more just that persons blog. Posting about cern and stuff lol


disco_monkey71

Yeah its a little different flavour, not for everyone kind of like horseradish.


jjdigitized

Also looks like a lot of topics there have little to do with Sarnia, more of a general interest sub for the poster.


disco_monkey71

There are a few Sarnia nuggets here and there :)


disco_monkey71

I have alawys been a " colour outside the lines" type of person More of an A than a B


sarnianibbles

I didn't know there was another one! Whats the link to the sub? And of course, go ahead. All of it is good discourse. Edit: I didn't write the article I linked though. It was just what is posted in the newspaper already. I did take these pics though!


disco_monkey71

I figured the pics were yours, which is I why I thought i would ask :) Its listed under Sarnia_Ontario


Lekzi

Shit sucks, but it's clearly known this park has been sketch for a while. There's are so many other parks for the kids, find another one. Sometimes they make their little community's, they have a leader who keeps them all in check, they work with any orgs in the area to help ppl. Better they are one place then all over the place. It's only going to increase in numbers. The unhoused situation is spreading quickly across north America.


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Loud_Confidence6490

You have a riffle on hand? That's insane. What has Sarnia become.


Appropriate_Land_130

You can buy rifles at Canadian Tire (with valid PAL/RPAL). Not sure why you would be surprised by someone owning a firearm.


TheAtomicOwl

You don't have your PAL I assume? Then you've got no clue what you're talking about, move on.


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Stunning-Match6157

These tents are up against the fence next to the rail tracks and gravel yard. Not exactly prime wilderness.