New Calgary memorial honours lives lost to homelessness
A new memorial commemorating the lives of those who died while experiencing homelessness is now on display in the Beltline.
The memorial, located at 107 13th Avenue S.E., was a collaboration between the Client Action Committee, the Calgary Homeless Foundation, the University of Calgary and the City of Calgary.
“This permanent memorial is about sharing our humanity, about grieving, compassion and honouring the lives of those who mattered deeply to us," Calgary Homeless Foundation president and CEO Patricia Jones said.
"It is a powerful reminder that guiding the fight against homelessness means that all Calgarians experiencing homelessness deserve access to a home with the necessary supports to move them to a place of wellness and stability.”
Nigel Kirk, a member of the Client Action Committee, said dignity should not be "tied to a set of keys."
The organization is comprised of volunteers who have experienced – or are experiencing – homelessness, and want to advocate for those without permanent shelter.
"I've always wanted to focus on dignity, human rights and the well-being of those who are experiencing homelessness," Kirk said.
"This space is not only a place where the unhoused can honour and reflect their lost brethren. It's also a unique place in Calgary—a place for those on the streets to find sanctuary."
Kirk said the memorial was designed to be welcoming.
"We have specifically designed this bench to be laid down on," he said. "We have specifically designed it to not have any hostile design."
Calgary's memorial for the city’s homeless.
"We have phone chargers here for people to stop and charge their phone. This is a place where the homeless can come, reflect as they feel they need to – as appropriate for them, in whatever way that they want – where they can honour and remember the people that they've lost, and where they can be safe."
Dr. Jessica Shaw, an associate professor in the Faculty of Social Work at the University of Calgary, said there is no need for anyone to die from the effects of homelessness in a province or country as wealthy as ours.
“Yet in 2020, there were 202 people – who we know of – who passed away while experiencing homelessness in Calgary," Shaw said.
"I just had my daughter three-and-a-half weeks ago and she's here right now," she said. "I want, as she grows up and we continue to visit this space, I want to be able to tell her that this space was created because we used to lose someone every three days in Calgary."
Ward 8 Coun. Evan Woolley said he was both humbled and grateful to have contributed to the creation of the monument.
"May they never be forgotten," Woolley said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
opinion Tom Mulcair: Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's train wreck of a final act
In his latest column for CTVNews.ca, former NDP leader and political analyst Tom Mulcair puts a spotlight on the 'spectacular failure' of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's final act on the political stage.
B.C. mayor gets calls from across Canada about 'crazy' plan to recruit doctors
A British Columbia community's "out-of-the-box" plan to ease its family doctor shortage by hiring physicians as city employees is sparking interest from across Canada, says Colwood Mayor Doug Kobayashi.
'There’s no support': Domestic abuse survivor shares difficulties leaving her relationship
An Edmonton woman who tried to flee an abusive relationship ended up back where she started in part due to a lack of shelter space.
opinion King Charles' Christmas: Who's in and who's out this year?
Christmas 2024 is set to be a Christmas like no other for the Royal Family, says royal commentator Afua Hagan. King Charles III has initiated the most important and significant transformation of royal Christmas celebrations in decades.
Baseball Hall of Famer Rickey Henderson dead at 65, reports say
Rickey Henderson, a Baseball Hall of Famer and Major League Baseball’s all-time stolen bases leader, is dead at 65, according to multiple reports.
Arizona third-grader saves choking friend
An Arizona third-grader is being recognized by his local fire department after saving a friend from choking.
Germans mourn the 5 killed and 200 injured in the apparent attack on a Christmas market
Germans on Saturday mourned the victims of an apparent attack in which authorities say a doctor drove into a busy outdoor Christmas market, killing five people, injuring 200 others and shaking the public’s sense of security at what would otherwise be a time of joy.
Blake Lively accuses 'It Ends With Us' director Justin Baldoni of harassment and smear campaign
Blake Lively has accused her 'It Ends With Us' director and co-star Justin Baldoni of sexual harassment on the set of the movie and a subsequent effort to “destroy' her reputation in a legal complaint.
Oysters distributed in B.C., Alberta, Ontario recalled for norovirus contamination
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has issued a recall due to possible norovirus contamination of certain oysters distributed in British Columbia, Alberta and Ontario.