A Walk In Other's Shoes 2019: Getting Ready

Friday, February 8, 2019

Getting Ready

While our participants are preparing mentally for the launch of this year's poverty challenge, we were scurrying around trying to get the blog ready for action. My challenge has always been technology which is why I am concerned about the trend towards online access to public services (I know that there are more like me out there). A colleague's son reined me in, fixed my mistakes and provided patient advice on going forward. It reminded me that poverty is about more than money. When we lack supportive relationships, we are impaired in our ability to meet challenges. The teachings are coming in even before we start!

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About A Walk In Other’s Shoes

The monthly rate for Ontario Works as of October 2019 is $733 for a single person. The maximum amount allowed for shelter is $390 and maximum for basic needs is $343.00 per month. The average private market rent in Kenora is $510.00 for a bachelor unit and $718.00 for a one bedroom. Rents do not include utility costs which are often separate for tenants. Wait periods for subsidized units are years long and highest for single adults.

Our challenge involves the basic needs allowance which is $390.00 per month. This works out to about $63.00 for a five day period. Remember that this covers all living costs beyond rent including clothing, transportation and medication and sometimes must be used to pay the discrepancy between the allowable shelter benefit and the real world cost of shelter.

We recognize that it is impossible to replicate real poverty nor would we find volunteers. The challenge is meant to facilitate public conversation on poverty issues. Before taking action in your day, concerning such things as heating the home to a comfortable temperature, using personal supplies, accessing devices such as the internet or cell phone or washing clothes after being only worn once, attempt to reflect on whether the $63 could include the cost of those items. Attempt to keep those “usage” costs to a minimum.

This is a self-regulated challenge. The purpose of the challenge is not to prove that you can live on a limited budget but rather to share the experience of struggling to move forward in life without adequate resources. The challenge is about fiscal realities, documenting the emotional cost of poverty and publicizing the resources that ease hardship.