[homeles_ot-l] Remembering Tom Hogan

[Linda Lalonde]

While I'm glad to see that Tom finally got noticed, I wish I could believe anything will come of this. Having known Tom and dozens of other Toms over the years, while we take tiny baby steps like The Oaks, the root problems are rarely addressed. For many in our city, the 'benefit' of places like The Oaks is that it removes the scourge of homelessness from under their noses - and, of course, they define that 'scourge' very differently from how I would.

Perhaps it's time to do something concrete to remember Tom by changing the way we respond to the unhomed in this community. There is no reason or excuse for there to be anyone living in a shelter or on the street in Ottawa. It's lousy human service and it makes no sense from a fiscal angle. We could change that easily but, as a community, it's not a priority and so we choose not to make that difference.

It's easy to feel sad when you're reading, in the comfort of your home, about the end of Tom's life. Isn't it nice that he found a place to live before he died and how kind of his friends to support him at the end. Well, that's bullshit - he lived a life of hell in our institutions and on our streets as do hundreds like him on a daily basis. A warm bed and a door he could close - we owed him that and a whole lot more.

Don't sleep easy tonight - that's a luxury that wasn't provided to Tom for most of his life. In our foster homes and on our streets, there are dozens of Toms in the making.  What are you going to do about it?

Linda.
 
"Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not."  Dr Seuss.


________________________________
 From: Mike Bulthuis <mike at endhomelessnessottawa.ca>


In today’s Ottawa Citizen, Bruce Deachman has written a lovely piece remembering the life of Tom Hogan. Tom was a resident of the Oaks, and spent his last days in January at the Mission’s hospice. The article beautifully acknowledges Tom’s gifts to our community, along with recognizing the local staff, volunteers and friends that cared for Tom. 
 
http://www.ottawacitizen.com/Friends+poignant+goodbye+made+streets+home/9454619/story.html
 
 
 
Mike Bulthuis
Executive Director
Alliance to End Homelessness Ottawa
171 George Street, Ottawa ON K1N 5W5
613-241-1573, ext. 314
 
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