A Lemonhead... Torn

This post will be a little different than the norm... Let me explain:

To those of you who know me, it comes as no surprise that I am a genuine believer in the spirit of the Olympics. The notion of fair play; of bringing international athletes together. A stage where citizens of nations at war would join in friendly competition, and could very well stand atop a podium together. An event meant to inspire and bring hope… In all of this – I believe.

The stage for the 2010 Winter Olympics: Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. For me, this is an incredible opportunity for our country to put itself back on the map. Olympic aficionados have stated that the Calgary (1988) Olympics were one of the best Winter Games in modern history, and we get to do it again! I see this as an opportunity for the city of Vancouver – to get funding, to promote itself, to create jobs.

But... this is one opinion. And there are others. So, I must be an equal opportunity blogger and showcase how some people may feel that the Games of the XXI Winter Olympiad might not generate the opportunities they could to a beautiful West Coast city...

In November 2008, Straight.com published this article. In it, we learn that BC has posted THE worst child poverty rate in Canada – 21.9% (in 2006), which is well over the national average of 15.8%. So, when I look at these stats, I think – how can we use a forum like the Olympic Games to make a difference. But, as the eyes of the world will be on Vancouver, it appears that some policies are trying to sweep the problem under the rug. In fact, take a read of this blog by the Carnegie Community Action Project – working to ensure Vancouver’s downtown East Side remains low-income friendly.

My concern is about the longevity of some proposed programs. We discussed (much earlier in the Lemontree) how RONA was provided training and employment for some of Vancouver’s lesser fortunate. And, we can be sure that with the Games coming to town (and to the region), there will be need for additional workers. That’s great news in the world economy as it stands. But, how long after the Games have come and gone will this last?

Can BC’s government and Canada’s government sustain the new population of workers? If not – what will happen to them when the party is over? Maybe they'll have the luxury to live in one of the temporary shelters proposed in the CCAP blog (with or without a bathroom depends on investment)...

As mentioned before, I’ve lived in Vancouver for 3 years. I've seen Vancouver’s downtown East Side. Cleaning up the town doesn’t mean getting rid of people who live in poverty, nor does it mean hiding them. It means helping them! Give them a fighting chance. The world will remember Canada fondly for its hospitality, natural beauty and very likely, its well-managed Winter Olympics. Let’s make sure the world also remembers a Canada who truly takes care of all of its citizens.

Isn’t it impressive that an event like the Olympics carries so many messages of hope & opportunity? Why don’t we carry that message into everyday?

Lemontree recommendation: Share the inspiration... Can we use the Games as a platform to provide education, shelter and food to those who need it? Let’s use this stage to truly promote equal opportunity and dreams and hopes to all Canadians. Do you believe?

Lemon twist

Happy Easter & Happy Passover to all my fellow Lemonheads!

Independently of which celebration (mentioned above) you are celebrating today, there is some element of rebirth, renewal and definitely – lots of hope.

As such, and with one more apology, the Lemontree can now be reborn into Spring of 2009. In the earlier part of the year, I have explored a series of uses for the various online networks we are now bombarded with. By far – my personal favourite is now “Twitter”. As of this day, I will share short posts on Twitter about 3 things: this blog, “leadership & marketing”, and a certain photography Website. As for this blog, I suggest we take a little “twist”...

Of course, it would be improper for me to deviate from creating awareness around the issue of poverty. I know I’ve said it before, but it absolutely baffles me that the human race can do all the miraculous things it does, and yet not come up with a “social cause” strong enough to eradicate (if not minimize significantly) the issue of poverty... Especially in countries that claim to be “free, developed and full of hope”.

So, on that note, I’d like to spend some time over the next few posts introducing you to a city (in Canada) which you will hear increasingly more about over the next 10 months: Vancouver, British Columbia.

Vancouver is very much a tale of 2 cities... One that is lavish: cushioned comfortably between the beautiful shores of the Pacific Ocean and the Sunshine Coast mountains. One that is scary and run-down – and unfortunately scarred by poverty, drugs and despair. Both these cities collide in a beautiful province, in my home country...

I had the chance to live in Vancouver for about 3 years. In which of the 2 cities? Well – oddly enough, I think I sat on the fence.

Today – I want to share a story of hope.

I was working on Water Street in Vancouver at the time... The Landing. And, I must admit, I wasn’t getting a lot of dollars into the bank account! (I was also studying full time.) For some reason, and I can’t quite recall, it was a particularly tough week/month. It was raining (those of you familiar with Vancouver are not surprised about the rain, I’m sure).

I decided to take a break from work, and go have a cigarette... There we go; I admitted that I used to smoke! (Haven’t had one in a long time now.) I must have had one heckuva look on my face, because a few people walked by me and gave me a strange, almost pitying look. (I hate those!) I was standing under the awning of the building (no, not the by-lawed 100ft; it was raining).

After a few moments, a clearly wealthy man walked out of the building and lit his own cigarette. He looked over at me and said, “Having a bad day?” Being a stubborn and distrusting little punk (yup – another admission), I simply shrugged and turned away. A few more moments passed...

I could see this guy out of the corner of my eye and he pulled out his wallet. In this area of Gastown (a boutique-like area of Vancouver), it is sometimes customary to open your wallet and offer change to someone who is down-trodden. I was completely offended! I turned to look at him and, in a particularly un-polite tone said: “I do NOT want your change!”

The guy looked up and said: “I’m not giving you change; I want to tell you a story.” I noted at this point, that the accent was clearly British...

“About 10 years ago,” he started, “I got off a plane in Canada; here in Vancouver. It wasn’t easy. This is all I had to my name.” He pulled out a coin: a British pound. “I knew a few people here; but had cashed in for my plane ticket to Canada. I had nothing...” And then, like a scene from a movie, he flicked his cigarette to the ground (yes, yes – I know; bad for the environment. Stick with the story here.). He put the coin back in his wallet and slid it back into his jacket pocket. He turned around, opened the door to the building. He looked back to me and said: “Today, I’m the President of Nav Can.” He walked away; the door, shutting behind him.

Now, I don’t know this guy’s name; and, I don’t know how to fill the gaps in the story – but, this marked me. It marked me so much that, to this day – I carry a $2 bill (yes, Canada had those) in my wallet.

I never want to forget how I felt that day, and I never want to forget the little pieces of hope that people gave me along the way. All of these messages helped me get out of the place I was in...

Part of the inspiration to the Lemontree is these lessons. If we can all share hope, I know we can pull people out of despair and on a “path to renewal”.