Canada's voice of the voiceless

Catholic New Times, Dec 19, 2004 by Christl Dabu

Solving the homeless crisis, Crowe says, is possible with many organizations in the country that know how to build social housing and provide a long-term support system, such as Portland Place in downtown Toronto. Another viable solution is affordable co-op housing, or small specialized housing projects for seniors, drug addicts or alcoholics, similar to the ones in Vancouver.

Whether the solution to homelessness is really simple, Crowe, the "voice of the voiceless," has staunchly stood in solidarity with the homeless. She often uses "we" when she talks about the battle for homeless people's rights. They embrace her a part of them, too. "We got so much power and strength from this little lady," says a formerly homeless man known as "The Colonel."

"Cathy is one of the few people that I know who goes out of her way to try to help people out. It doesn't matter if you're dressed in rags," says the 54-year-old man, his eyes glistening with tears. He says it wasn't unusual for Crowe on some days to stop to offer those on the street blankets, medicine, and even her phone number.

On Crowe's way to a meeting, Nancy Baker and Penny Folz light up when they see their old friend near the Eaton Centre. Both women are advocates and formerly homeless, themselves. Folz points to Crowe, saying: "This beautiful lady here does the world for us."

"Without Cathy's support we would be in a lot of trouble," Baker says. She is now living in an apartment, thanks to a troop of advocates, including Crowe, who in 2002, were the catalysts in the creation of a rent supplement subsidy. This allowed most of the evicted homeless residents of the Tent City shantytown to find affordable housing. Baker gave Crowe a black and white pencil drawing depicting a frog struggling to escape from a stork's death grip, with the words: "To Cathy At TDRC, Don't ever give up."

At this moment, Crowe's thoughts don't wander to the fate of the car accident victim, what strategy TDRC can come up with next, or when she will have to add another homeless person, sometimes nameless, to the Death Chart. Fighting for the homeless cause, her friends remind her, has not been futile.

Christi Dabu is a Toronto-based freelance writer.