Julie wasn't the 'face' of homeless
By John Mohan

If you turn off Higgins Avenue on to Princess Street here in Winnipeg, you'll immediately see the four-storey Siloam Mission. Depending on the time of day, you'll also notice a hundred or more people waiting outside for a hot meal or shelter.

While you see the line, you probably won't slow down to observe the faces. You may even speed up while ensuring your vehicle doors are locked. You'll have assumptions about who is in the line -- dishevelled men in their 40s and 50s.

But "Julie" (not her real name) was also in that line.

Staff, volunteers and Mission visitors could easily spot her.

Not because she looked more haggard than the norm, but because she didn't. Julie looked out of place. She looked so "middle-class"-- well-dressed, brushed hair and perfect makeup. She never sounded belligerent, or coarse, or bitter. She was patient, polite and appreciative. She never carried an air of entitlement or anger. But she was helpful and nurturing to those even more frail and needy than she. Julie was even evolving to be one of our most promising volunteers.

To the casual eye, 44-year-old Julie could and should have been the typical suburban soccer mom -- with a husband, children, and a pet. Mini-van, two-storey home and a yard would complete the ensemble. She shouldn't have been standing in the line of a homeless shelter. But that's where she was on most days. Julie had a past that included a son, parents and siblings. She also had a history of cocaine abuse and sold herself to support an all-consuming addiction. She also had dreams of a better life and getting married. She had a boyfriend.

Not long ago she came into the Siloam Mission Clothing Boutique in search of a few pieces of free clothing but also wearing a cast on her arm. Julie defiantly stated she shouldn't have to, and wouldn't take it anymore. She was going to make him pay. Julie took a step toward justice and dignity when she filed charges against her boyfriend for assault. He was immediately and rightfully arrested.

While he was incarcerated and they were separated, Julie began to miss him and talked openly about taking him back. Nobody supported her dangerous notion but she seemed resolute. The last time anyone at Siloam saw Julie was a few weeks ago. She had been helping with other volunteers to sort donated clothing. As noon approached she announced she wanted to leave early to attend the Union Gospel Mission chapel service. She promised to come back in the afternoon but never returned.

News broke Nov. 3 that city police were investigating what appeared to be a woman's body in a downtown suite, discovered over the weekend. The death looked suspicion and was under investigation. Julie's obituary acknowledged she had died unexpectedly.

Inner city poverty and homelessness are not the cavalier life the uninformed and callous suburbanites paint it to be. It is harsh, degrading and violent -- especially toward women who either feel undeserving of protection or unheard when they cry for justice.

Everyone who knew Julie has suffered a breath-taking loss. Her friends, family, and especially those she protected. Tragically, nobody protected her.

Goodbye Julie. May you rest in more peace than life brought you.

Originally printed in the Winnipeg Sun, Friday, November 14, 2008.
Reprinted with the permission of Sun Media Corporation.