I’ve been asked to write a column in the Boyle McCauley News. First, let me tell you how I came to the Boyle Street neighbourhood.

Boyle Street first came to my consciousness seven years ago at a session of the Mayor’s Task Force on Crime when I listened to a woman who had bought one of the pink condos at the top of 95 Street. She complained that every time she stepped outside, there were ‘”street people” there. “what are you going to do about them?” she asked. In my mind I answered that she might say hello and that the operative word in the term “street people” was PEOPLE.

“They’re not a pack of dogs that you can just shuffle off to another place,” I ranted in my own head. And thus began a dialogue that started first silently to myself, and that I now voice to others since moving here. The idea of people being afraid of and hostile towards others who lived in their neighbourhood went against my belief that we’re all flesh and blood and are all equal in the eyes of God or the Universe or whatever you call the greater power.

I was living on 119 Street south of Jasper Avenue, posh territory to say the least, and the street people who were attracted there by the prospect of “rich people” found an unwelcoming environment. That was my first exposure to people who lived in the sad and deplorable condition we call homelessness.

She complained that every time she stepped outside, there were ‘”street people” there. “what are you going to do about them?” she asked. In my mind I answered that she might say hello and that the operative word in the term “street people” was PEOPLE.

Fast forward to four years ago. After a bad condo board meeting I had a “hissy fit” and sold my condo. I was rendered “homeless” and quite by accident found the perfect house in Boyle Street. My friends had told me I was moving to “skid row.” But instead, I found the best neighbourhood I have ever lived in. My first year here I was struck by the friendliness of everyone. In my front yard struggling with an uncooperative lawn mower, people stopped to offer advice and to get it going. The last person who stopped was a “street person” who had been raised on a farm and who understood machinery. Everyone stopped and chatted when I was doing yard work. Some offered to help when the task looked too formidable, and their assistance was very appreciated. Some men from Urban Manor stopped and told me, “we know you live alone and we watch out for you.” In winter, leaning on my shovel in exhaustion, I’m often offered help by people passing by.

It’s only a natural progression that I’ve become involved in the Abundant Communities initiative that is starting in Boyle Street. It is based on a concept of neighbours helping each other. In modern society, too many times if we need help we turn to professionals, when in fact we are surrounded in our homes by people who might be willing and able to help us. In next month’s column I’ll tell you about the Abundant Communities Initiative and how you can take part.

Manon is a resident of Boyle Street, a former member of the BSCL Board, and an active volunteer in the community.