WORKING GROUP PROFILE: Inter-City Homeless Outreach

Inter-City Homeless Outreach

By Hayley Moody

On too many occasions have I walked past homeless individuals in the downtown core without more than a second glance – we are all guilty of this. Isn’t it just part of life? With so much going on in our own student lives, how can we care about the men, women and children who have to bounce from shelter to shelter, or take up a spot on the street corner every night?  Its’ not our problem to deal with, right?

Wrong. Homelessness is a complex issue which affects all Canadians – ignoring the problem will not make it disappear. Thankfully, McMaster University has stepped up to the plate to aid in tackling this problem through Inter-City Homeless Outreach Initiative (ICHO).

The ICHO at McMaster is a student run organization which focuses on the elimination of homelessness through the concept of relationships. Audrey Naluz, long time member of the branch in Toronto, explains that when you are able to reach the individuals at a personal level, you are better able to address their specific needs. So, instead of just handing out sandwiches and water, ICHO volunteers also know their names, their stories, their aspirations… Relationships are established and avenues open for learning and opportunities, for both the volunteer and the homeless individual.  

The ICHO Hamilton division, run through OPIRG’s working group status, recently began in September 2010. While their numbers are small, their hearts are big, with their campaigns already delivering big success. During the Christmas season, ICHO sold ‘candy-cane reindeers’ in the McMaster Student Center, raising money for new socks, underwear and thermal gear for those who are faced with sleeping on the streets. Recently, the ‘FRESH’ fundraiser was established, raising money for fresh produce through a series of bake sales.

There has been a continuing effort through the ‘BELOW ZERO’ effort, which collects new and used clothing for those who need it most, as well as financial donations to buy socks, underwear and toiletries. This campaign will run until March.

As ICHO continues to grow, it is hoped that volunteers will be able to enter the Hamilton downtown core and distribute much needed items, as well as develop relationships.

If you are interested in joining this amazing initiative, contact Icho.mcmaster.gmail.com

*** picture credit: http://farm1.static.flickr.com/2/3522213_099de50c94.jpg?v=0

BOARD PROFILE: Madelaine Cahuas

Madelaine Cahuas 

interviewed by Kristina Mangligot

• Tell me a little bit about yourself

My name is Madelaine Cahuas and I just turned 23. I am an older sister and come from a large extended family of diverse, migrant heritages. My father is Peruvian and my mother is Romanian and I identify as a second generation Latina. I'm currently in my second year in the Health & Aging Master of Arts program at McMaster University. My work mainly focuses on the effects of neighbourhood "revitalization" on community members' perceptions and resistance to stigma as well as the intersections between housing, neighbourhood and health. I wish to pursue a doctoral degree and engage in critical research and teaching with my communities. 

• What do you love about being an OPIRG Board member?

I love being an OPIRG board member because I enjoy being in a space that facilitates creativity, openness and meaningful dialogue and action between students and community members. As an OPIRG board member I feel that I'm part of something incredibly greater than myself since OPIRG is a vital hub for countless student and community social justice and environmental projects that are essential to improving not only campus life, but strengthening the Hamilton community. Also, as a board member, I am able to learn about so many diverse and important initiatives taking place in and around campus and even globally. However, as a board member I can not only learn about such initiatives, but build relationships with students, support working groups and bring students and community members together through collaborating on special projects and events. It is also extremely motivating and inspiring to be surrounded by critically conscious and passionate students, community members and dedicated OPIRG staff. So what's not to love?   

• What are the challenges of being an OPIRG Board member?

I feel my two greatest challenges are managing my time between OPIRG, school, work and my committments to other organizations, projects and activities as well as making decisions on applications of support. OPIRG McMaster receives so many excellent applications, it's very difficult at times not to award as much funding or support due to limits on our own funding.

• What other groups or organizations are you involved in besides OPIRG (if there is any)?

I am currently actively involved with the Organization of Latin American Students (OLAS) at McMaster. I am also a Graduate Student Representative for Health & Aging students and sit on a number of committees including, the Health & Aging Graduate Committee, the Gilbrea Chair in Aging & Mental Health Selection Committee, the Chair in Health, Aging & Society Selection Committee, the CUPE3906 Equity Action Committee, the President's Advisory Committee on Building an Inclusive Community, and the Black History Month Planning Committee. I also organize the monthly Health & Aging Speaker Series and work with Barrio Nuevo, a Latin American grassroots organization based in Toronto.

• What do you think is the best and most effective way of educating people about anti-oppressive behaviour? (I.e. Is it through books, news articles, schooling, etc)

I think it begins with engaging in critical dialogue and discussion where people actively listen and respond to one another in constructive ways. This can occur in classrooms, cafeterias, on the streets and any sort of meeting place you can think of. However, this in itself is at times difficult to do and it's not even enough, because dialogue and discussion must be followed with some sort of meaningful action, however small or large. I also feel that the roles people play in sharing knowledge about oppression and anti-opression differ according to their positionality, but that we can all play a significant role. Personally, my education in anti-oppression was never learned by my "formal teachers" or required readings in school (although that would've been great!). I began the learning process through key student mentors that took the time to patiently engage in conversations with me and point me to some wonderful authors and community leaders to begin developing my own political agenda that must always be linked with my communities. In addition, I learned anti-oppression from my family and the people in my communities present and past that showed me how to survive, resist and love.

• What social issue is most important to you that you think should be addressed?

There are so many important issues that I'm passionate about, but if I would have to choose one it would be health equity. I feel that it is extremely unjust for an increasing number of people living in Canada to suffer incredibly worse health outcomes than their wealthier counterparts. Lower life expectancies, higher rates of disease and dis/abilities is preventable and needs to be addressed. 

get your dream in gear: black history month

Yonic Contest

That's right. That is the opirg logo on there...

BOARD PROFILE: Andrew Cruickshank

Andrew Cruickshan​k 

Interview by Kristina Mangligot

Tell me a little bit about yourself 

I am currently finishing my 5th year of mechanical engineering and society here at McMaster. I study energy systems, mechanical devices, and social development as part of this, and am very interested in environmental issues and their solutions.

What do you love about being an OPIRG Board member? 

I have been part of the board of OPIRG since the end of summer this year during which I was working with them as the green roof researcher. I have thoroughly enjoyed working with OPIRG for many reasons. The most important reason is because of the people here. In many of the environmental organizations and social action groups I have worked with over the past few years, I have found that the people who tend to work in this industry or volunteer in it do so because they love working there, and the cause they support in their work. There are many great individuals that I have met as part of OPIRG, and have made my experience here quite enjoyable.

What are the challenges of being an OPIRG Board member? 

The challenges of being a board member at OPIRG are mainly due to having a busy schedule to balance from university (as many students have), and deciding which groups should receive support and how much within the budget.

What have you learned so far from your experience of being part of the OPIRG Board of Directors?

I have learned about many different issues and organizations that OPIRG is involved with, and have been quite surprised with the number of amazing groups on campus, and what they have done in the past year. There are many great groups connected with OPIRG and they deserve a lot of credit for the work that they do.

What social issue is most important to you that you think should be addressed?


There are many different social issues affecting Hamilton and the world that should be addressed, but as an engineering student I feel most strongly about how I can affect issues related to energy conservation and the move towards renewable technology. Our current use of fuels contributes strongly to global warming and air quality problems which affect the world, and I hope to help with this problem in the future.

digging into compost

A Study of the Feasibility of Composting on McMaster Campus

A fourth year Geography and Environmental Studies Student is investigating the composting behaviours and attitudes of the McMaster Campus, and she needs your help!

We are looking to investigate the composting related behaviours of the staff, students and faculty on the McMaster Campus.  The interview will take approximately thirty (30) minutes and your time will be compensated with a $5 Tim Hortons gift card.

If you are interested in participating in the survey, or have any questions please contact Julia Shulist at shulisj@mcmaster.ca

Action for Migrant Workers - 2 OPIRG Working Groups come together!

MLK Jr.

Powerful oratory from a force for change: Martin Luther King Jr.

Register for ANTI-OPPRESSION workshop

Learn how to recognize and deal with oppression in your life and community with this introduction to anti-oppression workshop.

Facilitators Cat Cayuga and Rosemary Aswani will lead this participatory and interactive workshop using theatre and games to help participants gain insight and understanding.

The workshop is open to all McMaster students, and OPIRG McMaster volunteers and working group members are strongly encouraged to take this workshop. OPIRG Volunteers who complete the Anti-Oppression and the Consensus Decision Making workshop will recieve a certificate in OPIRG CORE VALUES.


SATURDAY, JANUARY 22, 10AM to 12 Noon, TOGO SALMON HALL Room 719
Please pre-register with randy(dot)opirg(at)gmail(dot)com or 905-525-9140 ext. 26026

PIRGtopia 2011

Save More Students, Freeskool, Students for Social Justice, Biodiversity Guild, Threadwork, Community Volunteer Action, Body Equity, Dominican Republic Self Help, Inter-City Homeless Outreach, McMaster First Nations Student Association - all these groups are set up with displays at the McMaster University Student Centre Atrium - what we now refer to as PIRGTOPIA!

OPIRG volunteer working groups are the most direct way to get active on a range of important issues. If you are in the area, drop by unitl 2pm, or you can always check the working groups out at opirg.ca

More photos on our facebook page!

thanks for the fair trade coffee and chocolate!

Dear OPIRG,

On behalf of the McMaster Chaplaincy Centre and especially the MAC students, we want to thank you for the 6 bags of coffee, 7 tins of hot milk chocolate and 2 tins of dark chocolate that you have graciously donated to our Exam Hospitality service.

We had more than 800 students use the Exam Hospitality service this term (an average of 80-90 students per night) and they consumed a lot of coffee, tea, and hot chocolate, not to mention close to 2000 cookies and snacks! 

The hot chocolates were especially popular and they were almost gone on the first week if we have not rationed it till the second week! The students are very grateful for this service and we could not do it without your generous donation!

With our heartfelt gratitude, 

Jenny 

January 13th deadline for 2nd term working group applications

A chance to join the circle of OPIRG working groups - applications are open for 2nd term start-ups for volunteer groups wishing to work on social justice and/or environmental issues - if you have an issue that's not being addressed that meets opirg's mandate, you can apply to start a new working group - all working groups receive funding and support from OPIRG's office, board of directors, staff, and other working groups.

HOW DO I START A WORKING GROUP?

Check http://www.opirg.ca/working_groups to start the process.Deadline for applications is 12 noon, Thursday, January 13, 2011.

OPIRG accepts applications for Working Groups in the fall and again at the start of the winter term. Applications are reviewed by our Board of Directors who meet with applicants to ask questions about the proposal before deciding which groups will be accepted.

• Start by reading the OPIRG McMaster WORKING GROUP POLICY (Read it here)
• Fill our our online application here. (Please read the working group policy before applying.)
• You will meet with our Board of Directors for an interview, after which the Board will approve or deny your proposed group

jobs on the line

Disclaimer: this is not an official opirg mcmaster sponsored event, and is posted for information purposes only. Please contact the event organizers with any questions or concerns.

Counting on OPIRG

ONTARIO P.I.R.G. – Job Posting

Provincial Bookkeeper/Co-ordinator

The provincial network of the Ontario Public Interest Research Group provides the opportunity for the members of the individual PIRGs and OPIRG Organizing Committees to meet, exchange ideas, and work together in starting new PIRGs and providing training opportunities for all active members.

Responsibilities: Working with the Board of Directors and other staff, and with a small supervisory committee for input and support, the Provincial Bookkeeper will:

• Manage the financial affairs of the Provincial organization including but not limited to:

▪ bookkeeping (e.g. banking, receivables, payables, invoicing, inventory control);

▪ financial record keeping (filing and archives), reporting (financial statements, audit); • input into financial planning (budget and funding formula

development), and • maintenance of the Long Term Disability plan, Health Plan

and charitable status. • Facilitate inter- PIRG communication

• Ensure all staff members are familiar with the Collective Agreement and the Provincial Policies and Procedures

• Act as liaison to staff, offering new staff orientation to the Provincial Network

• Insure that local chapters perform their Portfolio duties including: ▪ organization of Provincial staff and board training and; ▪ organization of Provincial meetings

• Assist with PIRG Awareness campaigns Job Specifics:This is a part-time, an average of 40 hours a month for a total of 240 hours, causal renewable contract for six (6) months. The rate of pay will be between $20 and $25 an hour depending on experience. A small budget for expenses associated with the work including office supplies and transportation is also provided.

Qualifications: Experience with Ontario Public Interest Research Group is an asset. Experience in bookkeeping and anti-oppression work is required. Must be able to do banking in Guelph. *The Ontario PIRG bank account and corporate documents are kept in Guelph, therefore, it is necessary for the successful candidate to retrieve mail and do banking in Guelph.

Application: Interested applicants should email their application to opirg@uwindsor.ca by January 14, 2010. Please submit applications only as RTF (Rich Test Format) or PDF (Adobe) documents. Please include resume and cover letter stating your qualifications. Only those applicants selected for an interview will be contacted.

No phone calls please.

OPIRG welcomes the contributions that individuals from marginalized communities bring to our organization, and invites aboriginal people, people of colour, women, lesbians, gays, bisexuals, transgenderd people, trans- sexuals, intersexed people, working class people, single parents, members of ethnic minorities, immigrants, and people with disabilities to apply. 

We encourage applicants to describe the contributions and experiences, they, as individuals who identify with marginalized communities, would bring to the OPIRG organization in their cover letter.