Kendall Worth interviews five couples, and what starts out as a story about the money people on income assistance give up when in a relationship turns into a story about people finding new inspiration, courage and energy, no matter what the cost.
Poverty activist and Income Assistance recipient Tim Blades on poverty in Nova Scotia. “I speak from experience that when you speak up, you can open eyes to what is going on and embolden others to speak up as well. To have such poverty in Nova Scotia is unconscionable. It’s time for a change. It’s 2018.”
News you can use: how to get the $25 gift card Superstore, Independent Grocer, No Frills and others are giving away to to make you forget the money the company fleeced from consumers by fixing the price of certain brands of bread with its supposed ‘competitors.’ And if you have trouble making ends meet, we recommend that you take the money and spend it any way you wish.
From Bill Swan’s excellent Faces of Pharmacare website we feature the story of a Nova Scotia woman faced with a $3500 monthly bill for the life saving medications she needs. In her case a solution was found in the end, but “I succeeded because I was determined, persistent and angry enough to take action. I knew how to explain my case. I knew how to write convincing letters. I’d been a bureaucrat and a consultant. Many people are too sick to advocate together with their doctors; many people are intimidated by the system; they know it is not fair but feel powerless to influence decisions.”
If your apartment is too expensive, or badly needs repairs, and moving is out of the question, then things aren’t likely to improve in the foreseeable future. Statistics Canada census data released in November 2017 shows that the number of households in core housing needs in Nova Scotia continues to go up, while the trend in the other Atlantic provinces is moving downward.
Reporter and First Voice poverty activist Kendall Worth on the many barriers that stop poor people from celebrating New Year’s Eve the way middle and upper class people do.
Poverty advocate Kendall Worth relates the happy story of how one one woman escaped social isolation through online dating. However, “online dating is not always safe. It’s not something I would personally want to pursue,” he writes.
This wonderful story by Catherine Banks (and equally wonderful illustration by Kate Phillips) is our thank you to all our readers and friends who struggle to make ends meet but refuse to let poverty define them. Next year we’ll fight for a living wage and decent income assistance benefits even harder, but for now, have a great holidays!
The Community Agenda for Social Assistance Adequacy and Reform was developed by a network of first voice, social justice workers and allies who have demanded an overhaul of the social assistance program here in NS. The group wants the rates raised immediately and it lists a nine-point blueprint to reform the system. They’ve given the government until Jan. 15 to respond, but the initiative needs as many voices and supporters for this action. If you are interested in learning more and becoming an ally to this progressive change please contact the people listed at the bottom of the document.
A letter by the coordinator of Women’s Centers Connect expressing support for a broad coalition of community groups who want Community Services to increase income assistance benefits and engage in meaningful consultation.Community Services Connect is an association of the nine community-based women’s centres in Nova Scotia.