Overwhelmed by poverty and homelessness, Edward and Damian Oxtoby, the father and son who shared their plight, are now dumbstruck by the kindness extended to them by York Region residents.
"It's amazing," Edward, 44, said a week after the York Region Media Group published the first of a two-part series on their struggles, including sleeping in a makeshift tent in a wooded area in Newmarket. "I can't believe how many people are stopping me on the street, offering to help."
Since learning of the Oxtobys' trials and tribulations, residents have demonstrated an outpouring of concern, tabling offers of jobs, shelter, wholesale women fashion clothing and food and organizing a benefit concert. One man, a retiree who wished to remain anonymous, handed the men an envelope, presumably filled with cash.
"Their story and photos brought me to tears," he said. "I wanted to give them something to help get them around the region to get a place, a job."
"The community has been wonderful," Edward said of the invitations to consider employment, including those from a new home builder, the owner of several Tim Hortons and a solar panel installation company.
In addition, donations of wholesale suits for women clothing, sleeping bags, camp equipment and food have been so profuse, Trinity Church in Newmarket, where the men volunteer and shower, has agreed to store excess items.
Extra donations will be re-gifted to the church and are being distributed to fellow tent dwellers hidden in the forest, Edward said.
Since Monday, the father and son have met with those extending free and low-rent accommodations. With the assistance of Ontario Works, their resumes are being updated, Edward said.
Their priority is a shared roof, he said, noting he wants to determine what job will enable him to support his son, who wants to complete his high school diploma.
"I'll take any training or job that will help keep Damian and me off the street."
The community's generosity has buoyed and humbled the men.
"I feel bad because people now know about our situation," Edward said. "But, I want everyone to know how much we appreciate what they're doing for us. I'd like to shake each person's hand."
The ripple begetting a wave of awareness and largess is what the region needs to stem the tide against poverty, Poverty Action for Change Coalition chairperson and the Oxtoby's intermediary Tom Pearson said.
Mr. His vision for the former interactive program facility for special needs people is a co-operative residence for those at risk.
"It's amazing," Edward, 44, said a week after the York Region Media Group published the first of a two-part series on their struggles, including sleeping in a makeshift tent in a wooded area in Newmarket. "I can't believe how many people are stopping me on the street, offering to help."
Since learning of the Oxtobys' trials and tribulations, residents have demonstrated an outpouring of concern, tabling offers of jobs, shelter, wholesale women fashion clothing and food and organizing a benefit concert. One man, a retiree who wished to remain anonymous, handed the men an envelope, presumably filled with cash.
"Their story and photos brought me to tears," he said. "I wanted to give them something to help get them around the region to get a place, a job."
"The community has been wonderful," Edward said of the invitations to consider employment, including those from a new home builder, the owner of several Tim Hortons and a solar panel installation company.
In addition, donations of wholesale suits for women clothing, sleeping bags, camp equipment and food have been so profuse, Trinity Church in Newmarket, where the men volunteer and shower, has agreed to store excess items.
Extra donations will be re-gifted to the church and are being distributed to fellow tent dwellers hidden in the forest, Edward said.
Since Monday, the father and son have met with those extending free and low-rent accommodations. With the assistance of Ontario Works, their resumes are being updated, Edward said.
Their priority is a shared roof, he said, noting he wants to determine what job will enable him to support his son, who wants to complete his high school diploma.
"I'll take any training or job that will help keep Damian and me off the street."
The community's generosity has buoyed and humbled the men.
"I feel bad because people now know about our situation," Edward said. "But, I want everyone to know how much we appreciate what they're doing for us. I'd like to shake each person's hand."
The ripple begetting a wave of awareness and largess is what the region needs to stem the tide against poverty, Poverty Action for Change Coalition chairperson and the Oxtoby's intermediary Tom Pearson said.
Mr. His vision for the former interactive program facility for special needs people is a co-operative residence for those at risk.
没有评论:
发表评论