By Kendall Worth!
For the large world of Income Assistance recipients in Nova Scotia, holidays like Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter weekend, which is fast approaching -- this upcoming weekend March 29th till April 1st 2024 - are not always happy.
Easter, as I talked about last year, is another time of year that, as I described here, is especially hard on people who have a history of friendships ending. In the case of many of those I advocate for, their families want nothing more to do with them because the Income Assistance recipient is not respecting boundaries, or they just believe the stigma. Any holiday is really a time for anyone who lives in this situation, (whether you are rich or poor) to reflect back on the days of when you had a good relationship with friends and family.
The reason why I report on holidays frequently is because, unlike people who are members of the financially better off community, many people, who are living in poverty, do not get invites to go to the homes of their families, (Even for those who are lucky enough to have living family or friends, may not get an invite.) for holidays. To further educate you I want you to go back and read this article - the very first article I wrote about Easter, in the now defunct Nova Scotia Advocate. I have also heard from informants, that, when it comes to Easter, the lucky few Income Assistance recipients, who do receive invites at other holidays, do not get that same invite at Easter.
Easter is usually a weekend that comes with 4 days of loneliness and social isolation, This coming Easter will be no different, but this year there is also a bit of good news to report.
Easter is an example of another weekend holiday (like Christmas or Thanksgiving) during which people should be practising forgiveness, and trying to re-connect with old friends and family Any holiday, reminds us that reconnecting with people you consider important to your life, is not always possible.
Even though in this article I made a statement that even at Christmas we have to respect boundaries -- Easter and Thanksgiving use the same principal. When I ask many Income Assistance recipients how they deal with, for example the upcoming 4 days of social isolation over Easter weekend, they tell me that just like the two weeks of social isolation that come with Christmas, or the three days of social isolation that comes with Thanksgiving, - For some welfare Recipients, but not all; they use these holidays as a time where they reflect back on where they went wrong in life that got them into the situation where they are at today, although we know in most cases it is not their fault!
Within this community I advocate for, many, maybe most, welfare recipients do not have family or friends who they have in their lives for support. Fewer have at least one better off friend or family member looking out for them. Also, most people on welfare have poor health or mental health issues, and are not responsible for their own circumstance. This is not an individual “problem” Poverty is a policy decision. Keeping people in poverty is meant to scare the rest of us into “not making trouble” like asking for homes or allowances for special diets, forming unions, holding demonstrations, making demands! In 90% of the cases, it is safe to say, are not the fault of the recipient, that they are on welfare.
However, the good news (and there are actually two pieces of good news!) for 2024 is:
First – As I reported on in this post... Turns out St Andrews Supper is happening even on Easter Sunday. So, if you are socially isolated from the time Hope Cottage closes on Thursday evening until Brunswick Street Mission breakfast on Tuesday, at 4pm Easter Sunday, you have the opportunity to attend Saint Andrews Sunday supper. St Andrews is at the corner of Robbie and Coburg Rd.
Second – Do not forget, as reported here I suggest using some of that time experiencing social isolation over Easter weekend to think about the exciting $300 increase we will see very soon! Maybe that will life your spirits!
Also do not forget even though there are no other Easter dinners advertised, this could change before the week is up, so keep your eye open for Easter dinners being advertised.
I do agree that many not being able to spend Easter with family is sad. Some Income Assistance recipients have told me that no longer being able to spend any holiday with family is going to be the way of the future. They say this not only because they do not have families or an invitation to be with them, but also because, for those whose families live out of town, the cost of travel is sky-rocketing. Also, for some whose families are elderly, the families they use to spend time with, before COVID, are still living life like COVID lock-downs and public health restrictions, still exist. Also this Easter, just like this past Christmas, we have got to keep the homeless population in our thoughts.
I say -- Spend Easter the best way you know how!
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