lorrainelamchops.bsky.social
@lorrainelamchops.bsky.social
virtual high fives / faith + justice / harm reduction always / frontline: outreach + case mgt / toronto / carbs / views mine ✌🏼 / email for interview requests.
Reposted by lorrainelamchops.bsky.social
rhe youth accessing the shelter are also residents of the neighborhood
November 12, 2025 at 2:54 AM
rhe youth accessing the shelter are also residents of the neighborhood
spoke to CityNews: we are in a worsening homelessness crisis and people are protesting shelters. what is dangerous is not the presence of unhoused people; it is the protest and lack of lifesaving services for unhoused people that are dangerous.
toronto.citynews.ca/video/2025/1...
toronto.citynews.ca/video/2025/1...
Residents divided over west-end youth shelter
Thousands of residents have now signed a petition to relocate a youth shelter that will soon open in a west-end neighbourhood. Shauna Hunt with the concerns being raised and reaction from those who su...
toronto.citynews.ca
November 12, 2025 at 2:50 AM
spoke to CityNews: we are in a worsening homelessness crisis and people are protesting shelters. what is dangerous is not the presence of unhoused people; it is the protest and lack of lifesaving services for unhoused people that are dangerous.
toronto.citynews.ca/video/2025/1...
toronto.citynews.ca/video/2025/1...
unhoused people are frequently framed as a threat to public safety.
meanwhile an unhoused person was murdered. an anchor on Fox shamelessly touted using lethal injections to kill unhoused ppl. when we discuss ‘safety’, what do we mean? who do we centre? [1/]
meanwhile an unhoused person was murdered. an anchor on Fox shamelessly touted using lethal injections to kill unhoused ppl. when we discuss ‘safety’, what do we mean? who do we centre? [1/]
“A 62-year-old homeless man was sleeping on a bench in Nathan Phillips Square, near Bay and Queen streets, after 6 a.m. on Aug. 31 when he was approached by two people.
The pair began “violently beating” the man with a hammer, unprovoked, and then fled..”
www.thestar.com/news/gta/man...
The pair began “violently beating” the man with a hammer, unprovoked, and then fled..”
www.thestar.com/news/gta/man...
Man, 12-year-old arrested after homeless man killed in string of ‘violent’ robberies in downtown Toronto
The victim, who was homeless, was near Bay and Queen streets after 6 a.m. on Aug. 31 when he was attacked with a weapon, unprovoked, police said.
www.thestar.com
September 15, 2025 at 4:52 PM
unhoused people are frequently framed as a threat to public safety.
meanwhile an unhoused person was murdered. an anchor on Fox shamelessly touted using lethal injections to kill unhoused ppl. when we discuss ‘safety’, what do we mean? who do we centre? [1/]
meanwhile an unhoused person was murdered. an anchor on Fox shamelessly touted using lethal injections to kill unhoused ppl. when we discuss ‘safety’, what do we mean? who do we centre? [1/]
we are yet in another heatwave. the city finally got water to orgs after the civic long weekend, but people are still with no options. the one 24/7 space at metro hall is embarrassingly bad. seeing so many downtown outside.
can’t we at least have water fountains?!
can’t we at least have water fountains?!
August 10, 2025 at 5:02 PM
we are yet in another heatwave. the city finally got water to orgs after the civic long weekend, but people are still with no options. the one 24/7 space at metro hall is embarrassingly bad. seeing so many downtown outside.
can’t we at least have water fountains?!
can’t we at least have water fountains?!
i am so honoured and grateful to organize with the Shelter Support Collective, a group of residents across the city welcoming shelters in their areas, and pushing for systemic changes. TODAY WE HAVE AN OP-ED OUT!! read and share!
big love to @TUHUnion_
www.torontotoday.ca/local/opinio...
big love to @TUHUnion_
www.torontotoday.ca/local/opinio...
OPINION: City hall must prioritize homeless constituents when siting shelters
Some councillors are using consultation as a tactic to delay new shelter construction, argue members of the newly formed Shelter Support Collective
www.torontotoday.ca
July 28, 2025 at 9:34 PM
i am so honoured and grateful to organize with the Shelter Support Collective, a group of residents across the city welcoming shelters in their areas, and pushing for systemic changes. TODAY WE HAVE AN OP-ED OUT!! read and share!
big love to @TUHUnion_
www.torontotoday.ca/local/opinio...
big love to @TUHUnion_
www.torontotoday.ca/local/opinio...
folks upset abt “taxpayer dollars” spent on harm reduction often support things that cost more: police, jails, overdoses, healthcare costs, blocking shelters…
tbh if you follow the convo & ask “so where do people go?”, it’s really that they want poor people & drug users to die.
tbh if you follow the convo & ask “so where do people go?”, it’s really that they want poor people & drug users to die.
July 24, 2025 at 1:55 AM
folks upset abt “taxpayer dollars” spent on harm reduction often support things that cost more: police, jails, overdoses, healthcare costs, blocking shelters…
tbh if you follow the convo & ask “so where do people go?”, it’s really that they want poor people & drug users to die.
tbh if you follow the convo & ask “so where do people go?”, it’s really that they want poor people & drug users to die.
Had an opportunity to be back on The Social to discuss Bill 6. Disguised as a bill to prohibit public drug use, it's really a bill abt criminalizing people who are unhoused.
here's hoping we can move the needle on this conversation towards addressing systemic change.
youtu.be/9olQ8SrB6gE?...
here's hoping we can move the needle on this conversation towards addressing systemic change.
youtu.be/9olQ8SrB6gE?...
What You Need to Know About Canada’s Homelessness Legislation | The Social
YouTube video by The Social CTV
youtu.be
July 23, 2025 at 9:18 PM
Had an opportunity to be back on The Social to discuss Bill 6. Disguised as a bill to prohibit public drug use, it's really a bill abt criminalizing people who are unhoused.
here's hoping we can move the needle on this conversation towards addressing systemic change.
youtu.be/9olQ8SrB6gE?...
here's hoping we can move the needle on this conversation towards addressing systemic change.
youtu.be/9olQ8SrB6gE?...
Reposted by lorrainelamchops.bsky.social
In Conservative-led provinces, they are finding every possible way to turn our once excellent public system into private fairy dust. They start with people who have less of a voice, so the takeover is inevitable when the rest of us are impacted. Speak. Up. Now.
#CdnPoli #abpoli #ONPoli
#CdnPoli #abpoli #ONPoli
SCOOP
‘Recovery coaches’ supplied by a private company are now mandatory to access some publicly funded recovery services in Alberta.
The same company is also integrating its services into YYC emergency rooms via federal funding.
drugdatadecoded.ca/substance-us...
‘Recovery coaches’ supplied by a private company are now mandatory to access some publicly funded recovery services in Alberta.
The same company is also integrating its services into YYC emergency rooms via federal funding.
drugdatadecoded.ca/substance-us...
Alberta recovery programs require private 'coaches,' emails show
As one recovery centre admits that recovery coaches supplied by Bowline Health are now mandatory to access its residential services, it is unclear if the Province will mandate its coaches across the r...
drugdatadecoded.ca
July 20, 2025 at 3:36 PM
it is SO hot. 630pm and some of the city’s “cool spaces” have closed.
there still is only one 24/7 cooling centre and it has no cots, no food, no privacy.
organizations haven’t received their water yet.
like are yall just waiting for a death before any urgency?!
there still is only one 24/7 cooling centre and it has no cots, no food, no privacy.
organizations haven’t received their water yet.
like are yall just waiting for a death before any urgency?!
July 16, 2025 at 10:26 PM
it is SO hot. 630pm and some of the city’s “cool spaces” have closed.
there still is only one 24/7 cooling centre and it has no cots, no food, no privacy.
organizations haven’t received their water yet.
like are yall just waiting for a death before any urgency?!
there still is only one 24/7 cooling centre and it has no cots, no food, no privacy.
organizations haven’t received their water yet.
like are yall just waiting for a death before any urgency?!
imagine wearing these shirts in a housing crisis.
July 15, 2025 at 2:09 PM
imagine wearing these shirts in a housing crisis.
remember when we arrived at the third heatwave and the city still has not distributed water to organizations that serve unhoused and vulnerable people?!?!!?!!?
it is mid july.
it is mid july.
bless the private donor for giving water
bless the driver who cut through rush hour traffic to get some sauga to toronto
shame on the city for being woefully unprepared for the heatwave
this stopgap is nice but not sustainable at ALL. will the city step up?
bless the driver who cut through rush hour traffic to get some sauga to toronto
shame on the city for being woefully unprepared for the heatwave
this stopgap is nice but not sustainable at ALL. will the city step up?
July 15, 2025 at 1:51 PM
remember when we arrived at the third heatwave and the city still has not distributed water to organizations that serve unhoused and vulnerable people?!?!!?!!?
it is mid july.
it is mid july.
toronto is under a severely bad air quality alert, and there is ONE 24/7 cooling centre.
no cots, no food, just four tables and foldable chairs, right in the middle of the elevator access at a busy Metro Hall - no privacy.
how is this acceptable!?
no cots, no food, just four tables and foldable chairs, right in the middle of the elevator access at a busy Metro Hall - no privacy.
how is this acceptable!?
July 14, 2025 at 6:32 PM
toronto is under a severely bad air quality alert, and there is ONE 24/7 cooling centre.
no cots, no food, just four tables and foldable chairs, right in the middle of the elevator access at a busy Metro Hall - no privacy.
how is this acceptable!?
no cots, no food, just four tables and foldable chairs, right in the middle of the elevator access at a busy Metro Hall - no privacy.
how is this acceptable!?
Reposted by lorrainelamchops.bsky.social
There is a dangerous air quality index alert today & we still have no 24/7 options for people who are unhoused.
On outreach last night, our volunteer teams dropped off water, hot meals, & bagged lunches to people who live outside.
Now, will the City do their part?
On outreach last night, our volunteer teams dropped off water, hot meals, & bagged lunches to people who live outside.
Now, will the City do their part?
July 14, 2025 at 2:53 PM
There is a dangerous air quality index alert today & we still have no 24/7 options for people who are unhoused.
On outreach last night, our volunteer teams dropped off water, hot meals, & bagged lunches to people who live outside.
Now, will the City do their part?
On outreach last night, our volunteer teams dropped off water, hot meals, & bagged lunches to people who live outside.
Now, will the City do their part?
Toronto, May 2025: out of 614 calls to Central Intake, only 12 resulted in a shelter bed. So if you tried to access a shelter bed, you had a 1.9% chance of succeeding.
This, in a heatwave w ONE 24/7 cooling centre, the City decides to evicts a few tents today. [1/]
This, in a heatwave w ONE 24/7 cooling centre, the City decides to evicts a few tents today. [1/]
July 13, 2025 at 1:31 AM
Toronto, May 2025: out of 614 calls to Central Intake, only 12 resulted in a shelter bed. So if you tried to access a shelter bed, you had a 1.9% chance of succeeding.
This, in a heatwave w ONE 24/7 cooling centre, the City decides to evicts a few tents today. [1/]
This, in a heatwave w ONE 24/7 cooling centre, the City decides to evicts a few tents today. [1/]
22 out of 111…..
We are yet in another heatwave, and the question remains: what is the City doing to support people who are unhoused?
June 22 in the last heat wave,we saw 111 people during 3-hour of outreach. Out of the 111 individuals, only 22 people had access to a shelter bed or a tent.
1/
June 22 in the last heat wave,we saw 111 people during 3-hour of outreach. Out of the 111 individuals, only 22 people had access to a shelter bed or a tent.
1/
July 12, 2025 at 9:27 PM
22 out of 111…..
heatwave again. hot outreach!
no cooling centres. (the city says they have “cooling centres” but they’re literally just places w AC that close and aren’t suitable as respites). no water to orgs yet.
what’s the plan here toronto? this is a public health issue.
no cooling centres. (the city says they have “cooling centres” but they’re literally just places w AC that close and aren’t suitable as respites). no water to orgs yet.
what’s the plan here toronto? this is a public health issue.
July 5, 2025 at 5:27 PM
heatwave again. hot outreach!
no cooling centres. (the city says they have “cooling centres” but they’re literally just places w AC that close and aren’t suitable as respites). no water to orgs yet.
what’s the plan here toronto? this is a public health issue.
no cooling centres. (the city says they have “cooling centres” but they’re literally just places w AC that close and aren’t suitable as respites). no water to orgs yet.
what’s the plan here toronto? this is a public health issue.
Reposted by lorrainelamchops.bsky.social
This is how the Edmonton approach is going.
“Edmontonians are using substances in isolated environments due to encampment removals and fewer frontline workers.” @marlisst.bsky.social
The #AB abstinence or death model.
#ABpoli
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
The #AB abstinence or death model.
#ABpoli
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Edmonton region hits all-time monthly peak in opioid-related deaths | CBC News
The province says it is monitoring the situation closely, and seeing improvements province-wide.
www.cbc.ca
July 4, 2025 at 10:39 AM
This is how the Edmonton approach is going.
"What, to the slave, is your 4th of July?" - frederick douglass
July 4, 2025 at 1:38 AM
"What, to the slave, is your 4th of July?" - frederick douglass
another person died from an encampment fire this AM. The conversation will be framed as the person’s failure to address fire safety & live outside, the fact is all levels of gvt are to blame for neglecting housing as a human right.
old clip, same msg👇🏼
www.breakfasttelevision.ca/videos/how-a...
old clip, same msg👇🏼
www.breakfasttelevision.ca/videos/how-a...
How a lack of resources will impact Toronto’s homeless community this winter
www.breakfasttelevision.ca
July 3, 2025 at 1:46 PM
another person died from an encampment fire this AM. The conversation will be framed as the person’s failure to address fire safety & live outside, the fact is all levels of gvt are to blame for neglecting housing as a human right.
old clip, same msg👇🏼
www.breakfasttelevision.ca/videos/how-a...
old clip, same msg👇🏼
www.breakfasttelevision.ca/videos/how-a...
Reposted by lorrainelamchops.bsky.social
Literal cages. Not even metaphorical ones. Literal ones.
July 1, 2025 at 2:13 PM
Literal cages. Not even metaphorical ones. Literal ones.
i am really tired of all the rhetoric that says: migrants/immigrants should be welcomed because of how they work the jobs no one wants, or things to that effect.
this perspective, imo, perpetuates an ableist idea that people are only valuable if they produce. NO!
this perspective, imo, perpetuates an ableist idea that people are only valuable if they produce. NO!
July 1, 2025 at 2:35 AM
i am really tired of all the rhetoric that says: migrants/immigrants should be welcomed because of how they work the jobs no one wants, or things to that effect.
this perspective, imo, perpetuates an ableist idea that people are only valuable if they produce. NO!
this perspective, imo, perpetuates an ableist idea that people are only valuable if they produce. NO!
HUGE gratitude to Mohamad
Fakih at Paramount foods. 🙏🏼
when the city failed to ensure people had access to water, he/his team donated 6 skids of water (~300cases) in 12hrs. the water went to EIGHT outreach groups in the city, including @OOTC_StLukesTO !
will the city to step up?!
Fakih at Paramount foods. 🙏🏼
when the city failed to ensure people had access to water, he/his team donated 6 skids of water (~300cases) in 12hrs. the water went to EIGHT outreach groups in the city, including @OOTC_StLukesTO !
will the city to step up?!
June 25, 2025 at 1:23 PM
HUGE gratitude to Mohamad
Fakih at Paramount foods. 🙏🏼
when the city failed to ensure people had access to water, he/his team donated 6 skids of water (~300cases) in 12hrs. the water went to EIGHT outreach groups in the city, including @OOTC_StLukesTO !
will the city to step up?!
Fakih at Paramount foods. 🙏🏼
when the city failed to ensure people had access to water, he/his team donated 6 skids of water (~300cases) in 12hrs. the water went to EIGHT outreach groups in the city, including @OOTC_StLukesTO !
will the city to step up?!
Spoke to CityNews today about the City's embarrassing response to the heatwave. Bring back 24/7 cooling centres, for starters. Council meets this week - write your councillor insisting on a way more appropriate heat wave response!
youtu.be/nBSFe6w-_3U?...
youtu.be/nBSFe6w-_3U?...
Advocates say city needs better strategy to help unhoused during heat waves
YouTube video by CityNews
youtu.be
June 25, 2025 at 12:43 AM
Spoke to CityNews today about the City's embarrassing response to the heatwave. Bring back 24/7 cooling centres, for starters. Council meets this week - write your councillor insisting on a way more appropriate heat wave response!
youtu.be/nBSFe6w-_3U?...
youtu.be/nBSFe6w-_3U?...
spoke to the Star.
“Summer is not a surprise. We know that summer is coming…The fact that the city…going to look into options for a few months down the road,’ is completely unacceptable, in my opinion. Because, what’s happening in the meantime?”
www.thestar.com/news/gta/may...
“Summer is not a surprise. We know that summer is coming…The fact that the city…going to look into options for a few months down the road,’ is completely unacceptable, in my opinion. Because, what’s happening in the meantime?”
www.thestar.com/news/gta/may...
Mayor admits ‘serious gaps’ in relief strategy amid heat wave
Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow acknowledged “serious gaps” in the city’s heat relief strategy and apologized for untimely pool closures, saying “we must do better.”
www.thestar.com
June 24, 2025 at 12:12 PM
spoke to the Star.
“Summer is not a surprise. We know that summer is coming…The fact that the city…going to look into options for a few months down the road,’ is completely unacceptable, in my opinion. Because, what’s happening in the meantime?”
www.thestar.com/news/gta/may...
“Summer is not a surprise. We know that summer is coming…The fact that the city…going to look into options for a few months down the road,’ is completely unacceptable, in my opinion. Because, what’s happening in the meantime?”
www.thestar.com/news/gta/may...
Heat Relief Network tells people to go swimming to find relief.
Going great, isn't it?
24/7 cooling centres are needed.
Going great, isn't it?
24/7 cooling centres are needed.
June 23, 2025 at 5:28 PM
Heat Relief Network tells people to go swimming to find relief.
Going great, isn't it?
24/7 cooling centres are needed.
Going great, isn't it?
24/7 cooling centres are needed.