Every Minute Matters

Ever since I learned of the Hope In Shadows calendar sold in Vancouver, I’ve made a new tradition of buying one for my mom every Christmas (surprise Mom, hope you like it!). Now whenever I am in a hurry or have no cash while downtown, I see vendors selling the calendar everywhere. Every corner of downtown. But when I have time and a twenty, it’s like a scavenger hunt to track one down!

But I love roaming around Gastown for the kind-hearted sellers. As long as its not raining, it gives me a chance to enjoy the city. I was about to give up today when I walked by a guy with one calendar left and on his way to end the day. I quickly asked if he was still selling and it was like déjà vu.

The same thing happened to me the year before. Walked around for 10 minutes and had to go catch the sea bus. On my way back to Waterfront I spot a guy about to pack up with one calendar left. Quickly bought it, thanked the friendly gentleman and ran off. Two minute encounter.

As I felt the familiarity of the situation, so did the vendor. Immediately, he recognized me from the year before. He even remembered where he sold me the calendar and how much of a rush I was in. I wouldn’t have realized he was the same guy if he didn’t say something. I couldn’t believe he remembered me, and his smile and excitement over it made my day a million times more awesome.

You all should buy the Hope In Shadows calendar coordinated by Pivot Legal Society. Those selling them are our neighbours in the Downtown Eastside either in a low income situation or homeless. Every calendar sold earns the vendor $10. So give back when you’re planning for 2013. And make sure to thank your vendor.

If You Want To Give Back, Do It Right

Cracked.com‘s 5 Popular Forms of Charity (That Aren’t Helping) is something I’ve been longing to find for a very, very long time. These are things I’ve been struggling to share recently because I haven’t been able to put them in quite the right words. Not only does Cracked hit many important points that need to be understood by all developed countries, but it shares this piece of important information in a humorous and jargon free way. This is especially great because the people who really need to hear it aren’t the people who regularly check out Amnesty.com but visit sites like Facebook and Twitter where the common misconception of posting a status about the colour of your bra is making world-wide change (see point number 1 in the article).

I’ve tried to pick out one or two points that I think are really key, important facts to share. But I just can’t do it. Partaking in any of the five do drive me a little insane. Even though I am guilty of some myself. I think it was around the time of the tsunami in Japan where I really realized how big of a problem charity can cause. For this reason, I’ve decided to specifically share this section of the article:

Take the earthquake that struck Japan in 2011. While it was truly an awful tragedy, Japan is a wealthy country that is extremely well-versed in recovering from whatever geography throws at it. However, due to the dramatic nature of the disaster, the outpouring of aid from around the world was so amazing that Japan got way more than it needed. And thanks to earmarking, instead of using the surplus donations to help other countries in need or prepare for the next disaster, charities were stuck spending it in the Land of the Rising Sun … despite the fact that Japan stated multiple times that they didn’t need or even want our help.

I understand how disasters stir the desire to do some good in people. But what we really need to realize is there are disasters all over the world every day, from Africa to here at home. Every day disasters like poverty or slave labour or child labour or domestic violence or malaria or the slow loss of our democratic process in Ottawa.

My whole point is, if you’re going to donate and give back, make sure you are doing actual good with your effort. Take the time to think, research and understand the real needs. Please do it right.

And don’t buy Tom’s Shoes.

Sustainable Fashion Preview

[vimeo http://vimeo.com/32150641%5D

This video is a little preview of a post coming next week, after I go to a pop up fashion show hosted by the Young Women in Business. It’s safe to say that I am unbelievably excited.

The Problem with Food Banks

“[Taylor] is philosophically opposed to the food bank’s existence because as long as the food bank exists, the government will never be forced to look at the real reasons people come to food banks,” says Aason.

He rhymes off those reasons: lack of a living wage; lack of affordable daycare; lack of affordable housing. “The single parents that come to us have to work two or three jobs to sustain themselves.”

Read the rest of this great article from The Tyee here.

Stories of Value: Photos of Faith in Action

A warning to all of my close family and friends: you are probably going to be sick of seeing this project by the time I’m done talking about it.

A semester ago I took part in one of the most amazing experiences that will forever impact all of my future decisions. Cheesy to the extreme, but true. The SFU Undergraduate Semester in Dialogue program is more than just a 15-credit class. It helps shape your academics, business and life. And as the post-dialogue semester comes to an end, I find myself reflecting on my time in dialogue and all that I accomplished.

I didn’t know if a team of 16 could work together to organize and facilitate a public dialogue about faith and community. I am still in disbelief that in a few short hours, the members of the dialogue outside from the tight circle of 16 were able to engage with each other respectfully and openly. I was lucky to be the photographer, surprise surprise, and it gave me a unique way to observe and take in the events of the day. I got to learn something from every participant.

I was also able to grow by developing my own project. The world was basically my oyster. I felt the need to go back to my roots and find a way to possibly make an impact in the world of homelessness and poverty. I created a bit of a photo essay to share the stories of people connecting their faith to their work. I originally had intentions to take this project as far as it could go but these days I’ve thought that I should leave it as is. It taught me a lot but I think I need to move on to other exciting projects.

But I am still proud of my work and I doubt there will be a time I wouldn’t want to show it off. Please enjoy the photos and learn from the stories behind them. Check out Stories of Value: photos of faith in action. And good luck to all future Dialogue students. It is a wonderful, growing family.