With the windchill, it’s -44C (-47F) and this is the scene outside City Hall at 4AM this morning, the day before New Year’s eve. Three men huddled in a bus shack, because it is enclosed and blocks the wind. With shaking hands, one doesn’t even have gloves, they eagerly reach out as Barb and Chelsea offer them a hot bowl of soup and a coffee. Surprisingly, they are joking around, “hey could I get a foot massage, naaa” says one young man with big a smirk on his face. A sense of humour is probably the best defence against the unforgiving elements. It’s day 33 of our 4AM coffee run and it might be time to reassess, as the last couple of days we only found a few people downtown. There are still lots of people running around, but most of the regulars are missing and even the changing face of homelessness has diminished substantially. Speculating that increased holiday spirit in combination with the dangerously cold temperatures has resulted in more people either taking folks in or even the die-hard street folks seeking refuge. Winnipeg’s shelters, and the wonderful people who work at them have also taken up the slack, seemingly taking more folks in. Winnipeg’s culture of compassion and care is tangible in these conditions; humanity matters.

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Recent Posts
- New book review on Sex Industry Slavery November 17, 2022
- Wedding Social in honour of Brandi Chrismas and Keith Schellenberg, 24 September. September 13, 2022
- Encouraging future leaders June 9, 2022
- Spotlighted by the Manitoba Writer’s Guild April 10, 2022
- Discussion with the Manitoba Advocate for Children and Youth March 31, 2022
- City News interview 25 January, 2022, on The River of Tears January 25, 2022
- Endorsement in the Journal of Community Safety and Wellbeing January 15, 2022
- Interview on social conditions and policing in Winnipeg, wrapping up 2021 December 29, 2021
- Interview on The River of Tears December 29, 2021
- Ending violence against women December 17, 2021
Bob, I’m preparing to launch a website in early 2018. I’d like to include you on my site as a contributor and link it to your site. Would you be O.K. with this? If so can you send me a bio or the appropriate link that I should use to direct to your site.
Wishing you a HAPPY NEW-YEAR.
Devon
Absolutely Devon, that is excellent, I will send something soon. Thanks for the note, Happy New-years to you and Pearlene and family as well.
Bob C