Daily Gleaner | Readers' Forum
As published on page C11 on October 1, 2005
Outreach worker important
A few weeks ago, your paper printed a story about Mike Ryan < He's the guy with the grey hair sitting down >
I felt obliged to share my views on this individual with readers
I didn't believe that poor people existed in the capital. This all changed when I began my six-month protest in a tent in front of the legislature
Late in the evenings, I would notice these poor souls walking quietly beside the legislature looking for cigarette butts and then they would fade into the darkness of the night
I love this city so much that I decided to move here
I volunteer my services at the soup kitchen and it's in that area that I hear the true and sad stories from the streets. I remember in the spring, I heard that a woman was four month's pregnant and living under a stairway. I decided to do something about it.
I was approached by a certain individual who punched me across the chest ordering me to back off
You see, these people are the so-called outcasts of society
They have their own little circle of friends. They will not trust too many people from the outside world
This is where Mike Ryan comes in. Mike is an outreach worker. His job is to give a helping hand to the citizens who are living on the streets
He has the trust of these people so therefore he becomes the liaison between the poor and the government
I heard that his contract is up in March
Can you imagine a new worker doing his job? It's an impossible task. It will take years for that government worker to gain the trust from certain individuals
I chatted with a few activists about Mike Ryan and everyone is impressed by his work to help the poor
George Piers, who runs the soup kitchen, told me that Mike Ryan is a great individual and he does his work very well. It would be a huge step backward for this city and province if Mike's contract is not renewed, so they should push for federal money
Just for the record, I never met Mike Ryan and don't know the guy but all of these stories I hear can't be all lies
Keep up the good work, Mike
Charles LeBlanc
Fredericton
6 comments:
Charlie when I was portesting VLT's in January on the steps of the Legeslature I was staying at the emergency shelter during that time and I had the pleasure of meeting Mike Ryan.
He has an office right inside the shelter he stops by periodicly and puts something together that the residents can take part in and have a good time doing it.
One day he stopped by and brought about 12 cribbage boards with him and set up about 12 teams to play an elimination game needless to say I was taken out early into the tournament but you could certainly see that a lot of the guys really enjoyed the change of atmosphere.
At the end of the games he gave out prises to the 1st 2nd and 3rd place winners, mind you it wasn't much but you could see that it didn't take much to put a smile on the faces of the winners.
3rd place got a deck of cards
2nd place got a certificate for Kentucky Fried Chicken valued at $10:00.
1st place got a Tim Horton's certificate and a Kentucky Chicken certificate each one valued at $10:00.
I noticed that Mr. Ryan had enjoyed putting this together just as much as the people who took part and the happiness on Mike's face was just as genuine as those who won.
I hope he gets to continue doing the great things he has for the needy persons of the City of Fredericton because as you have said in your piece(which is so true)it takes a very long time to establish a good trust between(((The Man)))and the poor & needy as they feel they've been screwed over and have heard hollow promises for so long that they don't readily trust too many..
I have known Mike Ryan for a while now and I think that he is doing a much needed service for not only the poor and down troden, but for the City itself as a shole. I would personally like to see his Contract renewed and also new initiatives implamented to help these people on the street to truly get a leg up on life. There is no reason who these people cannot get assistance to get off the drugs and alcohol and and stop blaming society for their problems and get it togethetr. I beleive what needs to be done is that the current NB Government that is in power needs to get off their posteiror and help these individuals to make a meaningful contribution to society. There is no reason in a "Developed Nation such as Canada" which all the "So-Called Resources" that we should have so many of our fellow citizens who have to live like rejects. This is unexceptable and very shameful. Same shame, on this Provincial Government and Federal Government and their counterparts, who will not help these our citizens to get back on their feet. You should be tarred and feathered and run out of this town on a rail.
Mike:
This is typical of the present day governments.
Contracts mean NO BENEFITS. They hire people for 3, 6, 9 month terms etc, on contract.
The government saves $$$$$$$$$. They don't care how good you are doing your job.
It's unfortunate, no matter what department you are dealing with. The civil service lacks continuity. It also makes it easier do deny results because the new person can simply say. "That was before my time!"
It still goes back to wealthy corporations not paying their fair share!
Yawn!!
Spinks!!
Where are you??
New Orleans.
must be Mr.Pothier,,,,lol
Post a Comment