Awareness of Unfairness: Helping the Homeless

Annual Social Justice Symposium in Toronto

Catholic students from across Toronto sat in silence as John Bransfield and Joey Ivory, a young engaged couple, described their tragic struggle with homelessness. The couple were asked to speak at the annual Social Justice Symposium, hosted by Brebeuf College School recently, which took place at the University of Toronto, St. Michael's College campus.

"Have an open ear to the homeless; it's not always their choice," said Bransfield, speaking strongly from experience and reflecting the theme of the event, "Awareness of Unfairness: Helping the Homeless."

Bransfield found himself on the streets after an unexpected injury left him unable to work, and met Ivory in a shelter, who had nowhere else to go once her parents died when she was 16. Presently, the couple lives off of a monthly welfare cheque and one-dollar meals provided by St. Francis' Table, a Catholic organization that offers shelter and food for the homeless of Toronto.

The two are but an example of the homeless and impoverished population of Toronto. The Symposium's goal is to empower youth to take action to fight injustice through a Catholic lens – this year's focus being homelessness.

"I wanted students to see that there are ways they can get involved in making a more just society," said Michael Da Costa, who organized the event. "Catholic education is a gift to our society and we need to channel students' energy and desire to do good. Hopefully the Symposium is one way of doing that."

Throughout the day, after a mass celebrated by Father Jim Webb S.J., the group of 250 students from 21 different Catholic schools across Toronto listened to speakers who created an accurate portrayal of homelessness. Accompanying Bransfield and Ivory, Br. John Frampton O.F.M. of St. Francis' Table shared some of his own personal journey of working with the homeless.

"We are all poor from time to time," stated Frampton in his introduction, encouraging the youth in attendance to empathize with the situations of the misfortunate.

"Have an open ear to the homeless; it's not always their choice," said Bransfield, speaking strongly from experience and reflecting the theme of the event, "Awareness of Unfairness: Helping the Homeless."

Bransfield found himself on the streets after an unexpected injury left him unable to work, and met Ivory in a shelter, who had nowhere else to go once her parents died when she was 16. Presently, the couple lives off of a monthly welfare checque and one-dollar meals provided by St. Francis' Table, a Catholic organization that offers shelter and food for the homeless of Toronto.

The two are but an example of the homeless and impoverished population of Toronto. The Symposium's goal is to empower youth to take action to fight injustice through a Catholic lens – this year's focus being homelessness.

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Photo Credits:
Photo 1: Students share their learnings...
Photo 2: Br Henry takes it all in...