As I sip on my steaming cup of morning coffee, I appreciate the beautiful November weather. It’s mid-month, we don’t have snow, and temperatures are a few degrees above zero. But it’s chilly, and the harsh wind is a reminder that soon those temperatures will drop and the snow will come. My heart goes out to the unhoused folks who huddle together in makeshift plastic tarp tents in the parking lot or ball fields nearby. They are the lucky ones. They have a tarp. So many don’t even have a thin piece of waterproof plastic and rely on flimsy, water-soaked cardboard to keep them warm or provide something soft to lie on. My heart goes out to those who don’t have a cozy home, a soft sofa to settle on, or a TV to watch. My heart goes out to those who can’t sit and sip their coffee because they are on the street looking for their next meal or a place to shelter.
Like many people, I feel sad for the vulnerable in our community, yet I don’t do much about it. Sure, I put together a few bags of food every now and then, or drop off dollar store mitts and scarves, or no longer used blankets, jackets, and boots. It all helps, right? It’s easier to give a few things than to be part of the solution.
Fortunately, there are people who are willing to go the extra mile to help those in need. People like Jocelyn Dumais, a remarkable young woman who has created the group Community Hearts here in Saskatoon.
“The reason for Community Hearts is to spread love in every way possible to everyone on the street who feels alone,” says Jocelyn. “I want them to keep warm, keep them fed, and make them feel loved. I wish my future could be me opening a shelter for anyone to come to when needing someone to talk to and somewhere to eat and sleep when needed. I wish I could help everyone out there on the Saskatoon streets. I’m trying my best and doing as much as I can for now, but let’s hope this grows into something even more beautiful.”
Jocelyn spends her time helping others while raising a family. She has six children, three boys and three girls; the youngest is nine months old, and the oldest is 15 years old. At 32 years of age, she is no stranger to hardship. “I was once living in a shelter with my children. Two Christmases ago, we spent our time there, and in January, we got COVID and had to stay in a hotel. After that, we moved to another hotel and eventually got put in an apartment. A year and a half later, we moved into the house we are living in now.”
Looking after Community Hearts is an all-consuming project. Jocelyn’s home and garage are full of donations—donations that she organizes, packs into bags or kits, and distributes to those on the streets. She also makes food, such as nourishing soups, stews, bannock, and other items, and distributes them to the hungry. She has a group of volunteers who are always ready to go and help when they can. “My kids like to help me with whatever I’m doing; I’m always planning something new and finding new ways to be more organized or prepared when I head out.” She does all this with a big smile and a hug for anyone who needs it, despite the obstacles she faces, such as rising gas prices and temperamental vehicles!
“When I was growing up, I saw my mom doing the most for everyone. She raised 10 children and did not drink or do drugs. She was always giving, always helping, always loving, and always healing. I looked up to her; she was a very strong woman. She drove me and my two younger brothers to school every morning. I grew up with a lot of people that I serve today, and ever since I was a kid, I wanted to help them. I want my kids to grow up and learn from what I’m teaching them to do. I hope they help others when they are older in any kind of way that they want or feel is right.”
A year ago, Jocelyn decided to take action. She gathered hygiene items she had kept from the shelters and hotels she had stayed in and made bags for women. She found extra blankets, toques, and mitts and made a big pot of soup. Once everything was ready, she called upon a group of friends, and they went out into the night, distributing the items to those in need. Other than taking a break in June to be with her mom, who had cancer, she has not stopped. “Those were our last days with her. I always wanted to make my mom proud. I thought she’d be around forever, and I thought I had more time to do something with my life.”
From the left: Jocelyn (left) and mom Delores; Jocelyn (left) and daughter Aliyah; Jocelyn covering a homeless person on the street; Jocelyn; a back alley shelter.
Homelessness, hunger, and addictions are on the rise and are not going to go away overnight. They are society’s issues and things we must stop turning a blind eye to and address. We need more Jocelyns in our world.
“My next move, which I’m currently working on, is a community food bin for the homeless or anyone hungry who passes by. I will put a few lunch bags in five times a day, closer to evening time and early mornings, for the ones who are really stuck out in the streets with nothing. I live in a busy area where people walk by all night, and I help them with anything I have ready to go. I gave the shoes off my own feet to a man walking with nothing. I’ll never stop helping people. I love doing what I do. I love everyone I come across on both my Community Hearts page and the streets.”
Those of us who live privileged lives can’t even begin to imagine what it must be like to be hungry all the time, to worry about our children being hungry, and to not have a place to shelter. We complain about minor inconveniences such as blowing a fuse, the price of gas, or switching brands at the grocery store. I challenge you to step outside your comfort zone and really think about what your life would be like if you did not have a place to feel safe, a place to be warm, or a place to just be. What would it be like to rely on others to feed you and your family? Try to imagine it. Can you? Can you feel it?
Interesting Reads & Things
Saskatoon homelessness report highlights the demographic and leading causes – Saskatoon | Globalnews.ca
Facing Winter: A Saskatoon Morning series about homelessness in the city | CBC News
Characterizing people experiencing homelessness and trends in homelessness using population-level emergency department visit data in Ontario, Canada (statcan.gc.ca)
A review of Canadian homelessness data, 2023 (statcan.gc.ca)
Homelessness in Canada (statcan.gc.ca)
Homelessness by Country 2023 (worldpopulationreview.com)
What it’s like to be homeless in Toronto – YouTube
How Edmonton got 10,000 homeless people off the streets – YouTube
So you think you understand homelessness | Marisa A. Zapata | TEDxSalem – YouTube
Wanderings Art 