[Wamvan] Fwd: Say yes in my backyard!

Tue Jul 19 13:27:07 PDT 2011

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Doug King - Pivot <doug at pivotlegal.org>
Date: Tue, Jul 19, 2011 at 1:22 PM
Subject: Say yes in my backyard!
To: Tami <cosmictami at shaw.ca>

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   Dear Tami,

Imagine getting ready to move into a new neighbourhood and being told:
“there are already too many of your kind here.”  Imagine facing residents’
associations that want to know your personal history before you move in or
neighbours who use emails, flyers and public meetings to question your right
to be a part of the community. Unfortunately, this is the reality for many
who have been impacted by poverty, homelessness, mental illness or
addiction.

The expression “Not in My Backyard” or “NIMBY” means taking a defensive
position against a planned project in one’s own neighbourhood. NIMBY
attitudes and activism have popped up in response to projects as diverse as
community gardens, needle boxes, group homes for disabled people, and
emergency shelters.

Here in Vancouver, we saw a flurry of NIMBY activity in 2009 when City
Council began to address the immediate need for shelter spaces through the
Homeless Emergency Action Team (HEAT). The winter shelters, which were set
up throughout the city, faced considerable opposition from residents of
neighbourhoods outside the Downtown Eastside.  In fact, vocal opposition
from neighbourhood residents contributed to two of the shelters being closed
ahead of schedule.

We believe that each of us has a role to play in challenging NIMBYism and
building more inclusive, welcoming communities.  That’s why we have been
developing our “Yes, In My Back Yard” Toolkit. The goal of the kit is to
empower individuals, groups, and agencies to respond effectively and
respectfully to the types of criticisms and pressures that impact socially
conscious initiatives.

Now here is our challenge to you - open up YOUR backyard for Pivot’s YIMBY
Kit launch.

We are looking for YIMBYs: people who understand the value of addressing
homelessness, addictions, and mental illness in a proactive and positive way
through safe and supportive housing, and who want to say “yes in my
backyard!” to host the launch party of our YIMBY Toolkit later this summer.

Whether there is a NIMBY battle looming in your neighbourhood, a project
that has had a positive impact that you would like to celebrate, or you just
want to welcome new people into your space, we would love to hear from you.

Intrigued?  Send Heather an email at: heather.pivotlegal at gmail.com

Sincerely,

Doug King
Housing campaigner
  Pivot’s mandate is to take a strategic approach to social change, using
the law to address the root causes that undermine the quality of life of
those most on the margins. We believe that everyone, regardless of income,
benefits from a healthy and inclusive community where values such as
opportunity, respect and equality are strongly rooted in the law.

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Pivot
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Vancouver, BC V6B 1S5

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-- 
Meegwetch/Thank you/Merci
*Tami M. Starlight*
Vancouver, Canada
tamistarlight at gmail.com
tami.cosmic (facebook)
tami_starlight (twitter)
cosmictami (skype)
604-200-2445home
604-790-9943cell
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