Everyone wants a place to call home. The seniors in Sooke, the youth, the artists, the homeless, cat rescuers and everybody in between. But, one must be cognizant of a municipalities ability to fund such an endeavor. With the financial crisis still looming large over most of the world, the timing is not right. Money is tight and priorities have to be set so that the basics are taken care of before the frills.
No one can deny that seniors have worked hard all their lives and now want to get some benefits for their years of toil.
But the young, who are now the workers, have it pretty tough as well. In many families both parents work to make ends meet and they struggle with trying to cope with rising costs, taxes, child care and plain old living. They need help as well.
The Sooke Elderly Citizen’s Housing Society has been at the forefront for decades raising money for housing. They were successful in making Ayre Manor happen. SECHS sets an excellent example of what can be done when people are united and have the same goal. They persevered and worked hard to accomplish their goal, and it didn’t happen overnight. Groups working together could accomplish a lot and perhaps a seniors’ drop-in centre somewhere on the Ayre Manor property could work if they joined forces. Just an idea.
The district is not in a financial position to fund a drop-in centre for anyone right now. They have the youth to consider as well as the seniors. Some groups are asking for land, some for bike parks and some for buildings. Perhaps one day when the district gets a new library, accommodation could be made for the seniors and youth. That, is something that could be worked towards with fund-raising efforts and lobbying.
It can happen, it’s just a matter of timing and focus.
