The program coordinator at Lethridge’s Alpha House Society says many people don’t see the story behind people struggling with homelessness, they only see the addiction. This stigmatization can prevent someone from getting the supports they need to break the cycle.
“At first, [substance use] may just be a few every weekend,” said Rebecca Lane on Oct. 16, 2020, program coordinator at Alpha House Society, adding many people fall to substance abuse and realize too late that it’s out of control. “They start to lose things in their life. Maybe their housing, their job, family, friends and relationships.”
On the eve of Oct. 16, 2020, a group of people experiencing homelessness gathered outside Lethbridge Alpha House, waiting for dinner at the soup kitchen. They listen as a man, sitting upon the base of a tree, donning locks of silver beneath a white top hat, strums his guitar.
West Hillier, who has been experiencing homelessness for years, rose his gruff yet harmonious voice as the beats and rhythm of his guitar played a country tune. The song told the tale of an old, street dancer still grieving even after so many years for his four-legged friend that passed away.
“Oh! Mr. Bojangles,” a member of the audience joined in the chorus as light, cheerful laughter echoed about, putting a smile on Hillier’s features.
Hillier, also a local musician who produced an album called Down the Line, ended the song with a grin as the audience resumed their chattering.
On the other side of the tree, far enough for the wind to stifle the echoes of Hillier’s music, a vehicle passes by a black-haired individual sitting on a curb, briefly shading his eyes to block the rays of the sun. He narrows his eyes as light falls upon his weary features once more.
“Sometimes, I wish I was dead,” said Stuward Sunchild after blowing a puff of smoke toward the sky, his two biggest wishes are for a house and a car to someday call his own.
“It’s just because you don’t want to feel anything, like you don’t want to feel pain. You don’t want to suffer anymore. You don’t want to struggle every day. You don’t want to wake up and panhandle or feel bad for taking people’s money.”
According to the second Homeless Partnership Strategy Coordinated Point-In-Time in 2018 conducted by the Government of Canada in Lethbridge, 223 individuals were struggling with homelessness which is an increase of 134 within two years.
There is yet no data as to the 2019-2020-year periods.
“After 11 p.m., a bunch of my friends came over and we played music,” said Hillier and explained that [playing music at night] was against the noise bylaw. “Cops came and they kicked me out and that happened so many times and so I ended up homeless.”
“That’s about it,” said Hillier.
ADVERTISEMENT
Substance abuse and addiction, according to the Lethbridge Municipal Housing Strategy 2019-2025, is one of the causes of the rise of homelessness in 2018. The study explained the rise can in part also be explained due to the city’s increased efforts of identifying the number of individuals struggling with homelessness.
Lane said judging people based on outward appearance and actions will only create barriers and fuel disconnection. Only in creating connection, instead of barriers, can solutions and healing be found, she added.
As a child, Sunchild said he suffered from sexual abuse while in a foster home.
“That’s what messed me up first in life,” said Sunchild.
Sunchild also noted he suffered from mental health issues as he grew up, saying it caused other people to misunderstand his behaviours as a child to be filled with malice despite the absence of any ill-will.
However, he also admitted having stolen from a convenience store as a form of rebellion against social workers supporting him, stating he had no way to release his anger and frustration. As a result, he ended up in juvenile detention after being caught, causing a fracture in the relationship between him and his family affecting him even to this day.
According to Lane, because many people experiencing homelessness may have a criminal record, it is difficult for them to seek employment. In relation to substance abuse, Lane said even if an individual may escape substance addiction, failing to find employment traps them in a box.
“I know sometimes it’s a big risk to take a chance on someone when you’re seeing a snapshot of what their previous life may have entailed or what they may have taken part in their previous life,” said Lane, suggesting employers take the time to get to know an individual and putting them in a position where they’re not a risk to a business may help them regain their confidence.
According to Lane, employment may also help people who are homeless an opportunity for a normal life. Lane also noted that many people experiencing homelessness lack family support or support in their lives in general.
In the case of First Nations struggling with homelessness, Lane explained many of them suffer from intergenerational trauma caused by the residential schools.
“It’s a lot deeper than just get a job. It’s actually healing these people from the inside out,” said Lane.
“It’s hard to talk about this,” Sunchild said before placing his cigarette against his lips, exhaling an even bigger cloud of smoke as silence briefly took over his sharing of experiences.
As an individual who is homeless, Sunchild said he experienced many things like people beating him up while asleep and calling him names, as well as stressing that there are some bad people out on the streets.
However, Sunchild remains positive to not let his past dictate who he is today, living to best represent his name, to spread the light.
“It could happen to anyone,” Sunchild said, adding the importance of family and not taking anything for granted and being happy with what you have. “I don’t want that to happen to any people.”
“Don’t let homelessness take you too.”
While Alpha House Lethbridge supports people who are homeless with a food bank and shelter, Lane stressed the need for permanent housing and community-based housing with intensive case management will be the best solution moving forward.
According to the Lethbridge Municipal Housing Strategy 2019-2025, the need for permanent supportive housing need is projected to grow even further. To address the issue of homelessness, city council allocated over $5 million in funding on Oct. 5, 2020.
