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Blogs by Patrick Joesph Schnerch
Freedom Fighters Inc. 4/6/2009 7:22:26 AM
As mentioned, there are several small groups in Victoria that are in support of the mentally ill, addicted and homeless. Unfortunately, many act as independents unaware that other groups exist. There is one group that has a great network of connections throughout British Columbia and beyond.
It would be of great value if this was shared throughout Greater Victoria. They do have affiliations and open communications with others, but it seems that these groups duplicate efforts with little to no progress.
This one particular group has a solid foundation and could easily lead the community in their fight against homelessness. They have great leadership from some of Victoria’s most prominent and active people ever known to grace the city.
These groups do not have public or government funding. They are fully independent and act because they want to. There are no pay cheques, administration costs or overseas investments. The money goes directly where it was intended to go and it goes back to the people who need it the most.
There are many things these groups have that the larger organizations don’t and that is a heart. Compassion, determination and a sense of urgency drive these groups to action. They do not wait for government or society to act, they take immediate action on their own accord.
Even though some of these groups are quite small, the victories are constant and monumentental. They are certainly making a big difference in our community. They don’t have money for publicity campaigns, fundraisers or recruitment drives, it is all word of mouth.
As a Victoria citizen, I feel that I owe these groups a great debt of gratitude and support. My way of contributing to their cause is to give them a spotlight in the book series, ‘The City of Gardens Collection.’ This will promote publicity of these groups as well as relay their message to a larger audience.
Unfortunately, my project takes up a lot of my time in which hinders my abilities to be more active within these groups. It is also financially draining for I fund my project out of my own pocket. This does not leave me very much money to contribute to these organizations as I would really like to. There is so much to do and I still feel guilty for not doing as much as I would like.
I must remember that what I do with my writing also benefits the cause as well as raise money for charity. It is my duty as a citizen to provide this information to the higher echelon and the general public so that decisions are based on logic, not emotions.
The book series and all the freedom fighters against homelessness share a common goal. These groups support immediete and short-term reprieve while the higher echelon works on a more permanent solution. Everyone has a job to do. With the cooperation and the sharing of resources, it would be inevitable that the joined efforts would be more effective.
Everyone can contribute in their own little way. The important factor is that they are doing something positive towards ending homelessness in Greater Victoria. This is also a hidden mission of the book series. It will promote unity among these groups and society as a whole as well as the community leaders. We must work together. This is my concept of, ‘Freedom Fighters Inc.’
