Prayer Vigil: still persisting one year later by Susan Eagle, ISARC Chair
Greetings to all our ISARC partners.
We are so blessed to have so many friends who have enthusiastically come forward to participate in our Social Audit. It is our hope that as we gather stories we will renew the provincial momentum for social change that is at the centre and heart of our work as a faith based coalition.
A year ago, at our 2009 Prayer Vigil, as we stood in sub zero weather and shared prayers and spiritual readings with our multi faith family, we reminded ourselves of our foundation as faith communities. It was and is a spiritual space that allows us to see the “long view” as Archbishop Oscar Romera wrote in his prayer for the future of his country. It is that perspective that reminds us that we must be persistent and enduring in our work.
Yet, the immediate view tells us that we must be ever more vigilant in our call to our political decisions makers that more needs to be done now. The Poverty Reduction strategy is lagging and seems to be drifting from its initial enthusiast beginning.
A recent study by the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) found that, “Canada spends less on cash benefits, such as unemployment benefits and family benefits than most OECD countries and that, partly as a result of this, taxes and transfers do not reduce inequality by as much as in most other countries.”
And, although some low income families are doing better, the National Council of Welfare found that welfare incomes have continued to decline since 1994, with some of the losses described as “staggering”.
As we hear the stories of struggle and perseverance in our communities may we be moved to find new ways to walk with those who are willing to share those stories with us.
And may we continue to keep the “long view” before us as we remember that we “plant seeds that one day will grow, and water seeds already planted knowing that they hold future promise.” Thus we become “prophets of a future not our own.”
Blessings on you as you continue this important work.
Social Audit update ISARC’s Social Audits across the province are well under way.
You can go to www.isarc.ca/socialaudit2010.html to learn when and where the Hearings have or will take place, and to access the Guidelines and various resources we have put together.
There is a new resource available for volunteers involved in organizing local social audits to help compile the stories and data collected. Please read From Data to Report: Compiling the data from your local social audit found at http://isarc.ca/archives/FromDatatoReport.pdf.
If you would like to become a part of the Social Audit in your local area, contact ISARC at info@isarc.ca.
Lack of transportation, services, housing Southwest Rural Ontario Social Audit, March 31 by Alexandra Béasse
Even though about 20% of the Canadian population lives in rural areas, public forums or hearings in rural regions to hear the unique concerns of rural people are rarely held.
A distinction of ISARC's 2010 Social Audits is that it is deliberately seeking input from rural areas to learn what is unique about rural poverty.
One of these took place in Huron County on March 31 and these are some of the initial findings.
Religious Leader's Forum on 2010 ISARC Social Audit Wednesday, June 2 in Toronto ... a provincial gathering to hear and discuss our initial findings Mark your calendars!
Sam Sorbara Auditorium in Brennan Hall University of St. Michael's College In The University of Toronto, 81 St.Mary Street
Cost is $40 and includes lunch. You must register by May 26. Space is limited.
ISARC is providing opportunities for the most vulnerable of our society to tell their stories of living in poverty. During March and April, Hearings are taking place across Ontario as part of ISARC’s Social Audit. This Social Audit seeks to communicate the social effects of the current Ontario government’s policies and actions towards people living in poverty and our society as a whole.
At our Religious Leaders' Forum on June 2, we will share our initial findings from the Social Audit. You will hear from hearing participants, service providers, and people who live in poverty and told us their stories. There will also be some theological reflection on the issue of living with poverty in our society.
Agenda for the day still to be determined.
All Members of the Provincial Parliament (MPP) will also be invited as our guests for lunch. Contact your MPP to say you are attending. Perhaps you can meet him or her at noon?
Still Can’t Pay the Rent and Eat Healthy Response to Ontario’s 2010 Budget by Brice Balmer, ISARC Director
The Ontario Poverty Reduction Strategy did not receive significant financial support in the province’s 2010 budget. Increase to Basic Needs and Housing Allowances was only 1% which meant an increase of 11% since 2003 - increases that are less than the inflation rate over the seven years.
The Clawback of Spousal Support for Recipients of Social Assistance This presentation by Ontario Campaign 2000 will examine the clawback of spousal support for those on social assistance in Ontario, lessons from the other provinces and lobbying opportunities going forward.
Thursday, April 22 from 1:30-2:30pm in the Wellesley Room at 355 Church, Toronto. Refreshments will be provided.
The presentation will be by Thomas Granofsky, student intern at Campaign 2000 completing Bachelor of Social Work program at Ryerson University.
Special Diet Allowance
Program The Income Security Advocacy Centre (ISAC) reports that the provincial government intends to replace Special Diet with a new "nutritional supplement" program for people on Ontario Works and the Ontario Disability
Support Program. Few details have yet been announced.
ISAC has posted materials for people who are currently receiving Special Diet, groups and organizations who work with people on OW and ODSP, and, to all those who are concerned about the inadequacy of social assistance benefits and the health problems that result from having a poor diet.
These materials are: 1) A basic one-page handout that describes what the government has decided to do. 2) A two-page handout that analyzes what the decision to eliminate the Special Diet program means.
Spread the Net Spread the Net is an interfaith grassroots campaign to fight malaria, a global, life-threatening disease. Malaria is a preventable and treatable disease, yet it kills over 1 million people every year, most deaths occurring in children under the age of 5. A simple $10 bed net can help prevent these deaths.
Religious communities are asked to include an educational announcement in worship bulletins in the week of April 25th to May 1st, and consider raising $100 for 10 life saving bed nets.
This initiative is being supported by Faiths Act Canada a coalition of various Canadian religious communities including the Canadian Council of Imams, the Canadian Council of Churches, the Canadian Centre for Ecumenism in Montreal, the Hindu Canadian Alliance, Ve'ahavta - the Canadian Jewish Humanitarian and Relief Organization, the Multi-Faith Centre of the University of Toronto, and more.
Our diverse religious traditions have different approaches to how we pray for our politicians and government. This series explores the question from the perspective of our various religious communities. Our latest response is from a Christian perspective.
The Interfaith Social Assistance Reform Coalition (ISARC) was born out of the hope that together a coalition of faith groups could contribute to new public policies based upon greater justice and dignity for Ontarians marginalized by poverty
Prayer Vigil: still persisting one year later
ISARC’s Social Audits across the province are well under way.
This presentation by 
ISAC has posted materials for people who are currently receiving Special Diet, groups and organizations who work with people on OW and ODSP, and, to all those who are concerned about the inadequacy of social assistance benefits and the health problems that result from having a poor diet. 
Spread the Net is an interfaith grassroots campaign to fight malaria, a global, life-threatening disease. Malaria is a preventable and treatable disease, yet it kills over 1 million people every year, most deaths occurring in children under the age of 5. A simple $10 bed net can help prevent these deaths. 
How do we pray for our politicians and government? - a Christian Perspective