Acknowledgments
I hope that Gimme Shelter! will be both a useful resource and a starting point for critical discussion about literacy and homelessness. This book is a first step. I wish to thank everyone I learned from, and those who took this first step with me:
- The members of The Meeting Place Drop-In, for afternoons writing upstairs at Bellwoods, countless games of Scrabble, steps towards upgrading, voices raised in anger and a fantastic newsletter.
- Nancy Friday-Cockburn, coordinator of St. Christopher House Adult Literacy Program (SCHALP), for her perseverance and integrity in supporting the Project.
- Michele Heath, coordinator of The Meeting Place Drop-In, for her analysis and good humour.
- The Meeting Place Drop-In staff, who showed me at least a thing or two and even learned to love clear language: Kelly Nemett, Libby Zeleke, Liz McLean, Jimmy Dick, Leslie Saunders, and Brian Samuel.
- The SCHALP staff, who provided a quiet haven and support.
- The Project Working Group, who generously shared their time, wisdom, and struggles - Nancy Cooper, First Nations Adult Education Project; Libby Zeleke and Nancy Friday-Cockburn, St. Christopher House; Violetta Ilkiw and Shawn Conway, Beat the Street; Kathy Ferreira, PARC; Robert Beaton, Adult Basic Education Unit, Toronto Board of Education; Janine Luce, Street Haven Literacy; Renaud St.-Cyr, Graffiti-Jeunesse; and Harold Alden.
- The community folks who shared their enthusiasm or inspired with their activism: Rick Eagan, Bushra Junaid, Alistair Legare, Cathy Crowe, Michelle Kuhlman, Daniela Mergasten, Bert Providence, Jill Barber, Mayor Barbara Hall, and Darlene Vanderle in Sudbury.
- Karen Farmer, for her early work in literacy and homelessness and for the graphic on the section pages.
- The funders, who recognized the need and responded - The National Literacy Secretariat, for their continuing support, the Ontario Training and Adjustment Board, and the City of Toronto Healthy City Office.
- Janine Luce, of Nine Designs, and Bill Pusztai Design and Support Services, for generously donating their design expertise.
- Mike Kelly, Anita Watkins, and Michael Tumpane of Alphacom; Charles Ramsey, National Adult Literacy Database; and Bill Pusztai Design and Support Services; for bringing the project into the electronic age.
- Paddy Slyne, Gianina Magaletta, Charlie Scheifley, & Mary Anne Reid for their volunteer work.
Who is this book for?
This book is for you if you are interested in literacy or in the issues of homelessness and poverty.
This book was written mostly for people who do, or would like to do, literacy and community development work with people who are transient or homeless. This includes staff, volunteers, and participants in:
- drop-ins, shelters, and emergency hostels
- community literacy programs
- community health centers
- anti-poverty initiatives.