I decided to do one photo essay blog for entertainment on
West Broadway, the neighbourhood I live in. It is a very low-income neighbourhood and many non-profit agencies call it home. As such it is affected by social welfare policies, without funding the social services present in the area could not provide services and the people would suffer. But the neighbourhood is seeing more renovations and upgrades to apartments and houses, but the increased rents could mean low-income people may have to go elsewhere. It is not always the most pleasant place to live in. I have seen domestic disturbances spill out into the street and bystanders getting involved. The police are frequently in my building, and are not always friendly. My car window was smashed once with a large chunk of limestone. I also have seen someone chase down a couple of potential car thieves down with a golfclub. But it is no surprise that so many youth end up wandering the streets with the low graduation rate in the whole downtown area.
This appeared on the block beside the building below, I believe the taggers are identifying the two as "A" and "B" block. Oct/27/2010/D.Hayward
Typical graffiti tag, “West Side.” Oct/24/2010/D.Hayward Typical graffiti tag, “West Side.” Oct/24/2010/D.Hayward
Typical graffiti tag, “West Side.” Oct/24/2010/D.Hayward
Typical graffiti tag, “West Side.” Oct/24/2010/D.Hayward
This tooth appears alot. Not sure what it means, Oct/24/2010/D.Hayward
Occasionally someone tries to make a philosophical point. Oct/24/2010/D.Hayward
Garbage disposal is a big issue in the area, as this dumpster message attests too.
The Nine Circles Community health centre on Broadway is a non-profit agency specializing in HIV/STI care and prevention. Oct/24/2010/ D.Hayward
The Rent to Own pawnshop on Sherbrook. The scene of a recent stabbing. Oct/24/2010/D.Hayward.
Many non-profit organizations call the area home. Oct/24/2010/D.Hayward
Sherbrook Inn where J.J Harper spent part of his last night. Oct/24/2010/D.Hayward
The area is home to many First Nations organizations. Oct/24/2010/D.Hayward
Backlane Dec/17/2009
Burnout shell of a house Dec/17/2009
Lot cleaned up Oct/24/2010.
Interesting message. Oct/24/2010/D.Hayward
Typical of the old apartment blocks in the area. Oct/24/2010
The area is experiencing a resurgence with many renovations to buildings. Oct/24/2010/D.Hayward
Crossways in Common Church on Broadway avenue is one of the more unique organizations in West Broadway. It houses Artemis Housing Co-operative (For people living with HIV/Aids) • Day Nursery Centre • Hope Mennonite Church - West Broadway Community Services • West Broadway Youth Outreach • Young United Church. I worked there for a short time and I found it to be amazing the amount of services it provides. It also has Horizons Adult learning centre in the basement and holds many community outreach meetings, even A.A. meetings. Nov/19/2009/D.Hayward.
The pharmacy on Broadway, showing some of the positive artistic creativity in the area. Nov/19/2009/D.Hayward.
I've always lived downtown/West End. It's interesting the number of pawn shops and payday loan centres while there's hardly any banks.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing the pictures.
ReplyDeleteSarah H.
What an interesting idea for a blog post David. I like how you illustrated the different social services with a visual representation. I'm interested to hear your thoughts on if you think the people who live in your area utilize those services or if such social services choose to locate there for cheap rent and operating?
ReplyDeleteTara P.
There is some services such as the housing co-op's, klinics, and the outreach centres that are very used by people in the area. But other things like the Cancer Society probably enjoy having their own building in a high traffic area, and the cheap rent if they don't buy their buildings outright.
ReplyDeleteDavid.
Wow! I love the photo story idea. My small town upbringing has really not exposed me to any situations like this, so thank you for helping me expand my horizons!
ReplyDeleteI too found the picture of the MTS sign with the poster underneath it, "All hope is gone" interesting. Looking through these pictures I could see how the constant struggle would ware a person down. It is truly awful that a person can feel like there is nothing to look forward to, nowhere to go.
Alyssa Vandepoele
Well, thank you! Thats what I was trying for the "expanding horizons." I chose to live downtown when I moved here in 2007 and its been a good learning opportunity.
ReplyDeleteDavid H.
I love how you incorporated pictures into your blog, it makes a much more interesting read.
ReplyDelete-Allery
Good idea for the picture blog! I like that. Also, it amazes me how you can look at the pictures of the West Broadway area, then go only a few blocks in a certain direction and the city looks completely different. I live in the Wolseley area, not too far from West Broadway. Around my home, it is rare to see graffiti or even see police cars or crime of any sort. You mentioned you have often seen people fighting in the streets, which I find interesting because in my area not too far from there, all I see on the streets are people going for jogs and walking their children to school! It makes me curious as to why areas of the city that are so close together can be so different.
ReplyDelete- Amanda P.
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ReplyDeleteYes, I actually live on the West Broadway side of Maryland Street (the opposite side is Wolseley) so I know what you mean about the strange differences in the city. I think it has a lot to do with more owner occupied homes in certain areas, and higher monthly rents. But don't get me wrong- if you don't drink much and don't do drugs, you are pretty safe in West Broadway.
ReplyDeleteDavid.H.
Just in reply to Angie's comment about the lack of banks here is a link to the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives and a study they did on "fringe banking" in Winnipeg's North End in 2003.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.policyalternatives.ca/publications/reports/fringe-banking-winnipeg%E2%80%99s-north-end
I find it interesting how a client of a cheque cashing firm says they use the service because their bank places a hold on cheques for five days. Well I just switched to Assiniboine Credit Union and it told me cheques are on hold for seven days! I asked why so slow? They replied we have a lot of cheques to get through. Then they told me that after a year I could apply to have the hold period reduced when they see how I am. I also was surprised to hear they have a policy of running credit checks on people who are opening accounts. The reason they stated: To see if any collections agencies are collecting from you, or to see if they could pre-approve you for anything like Master-card. It was a very different experience from when I first opened up an account in the credit union back home in 1996. I never even considered that it could be the area I live that affects the hold period, or the procedures they use to approve you to open an account until I started thinking about it.
David H.
Is was a very interesting idea to do a photo blog. It was a very good idea because it is unique. I enjoyed the photos alot. You were also able to bring out some of the issues in the area without presenting the information in a typical way.
ReplyDeleteGood Job!
Jordan
Really cool post and great pictures! When I saw this post during your presentation in our class, I was really meaning to see this. I like how you made your blog post stand out with the pictures to help us understand more about your topic. Really different and very interesting. I agree, this city does need to take action in improving our city for the better, and by helping it become a more safer place to live in. We must find more way to make the streets cleaner, because people should not suffer in different areas in the city.
ReplyDelete- Angelene