Eviction from Queens Manor Parking Lot

Well it was a sad evening up at Queens Manor as I shared the news about our eviction from the parking lot by Victoria Cool Aid Society effective September 27th. Like us, they don't understand how us being in the parking lot for an hour on a Sunday could cause such a knee jerk reaction. We understand the dynamics of having a very high end furniture store like Jordans Interiors and Floor Coverings in very close proximity to a marginalized community, Mustard Seed inner city church and food bank, Skid row rooming houses, Blanchard Court and over the Bay Street Bridge Rock Bay Landing.

Anyway, I've seen it work before. With minutes left in the game someone throws a " Hail Mary." I've launched a pass, an all out effort in hope. That it might be caught.

The hope is, that CARTS, Jordans Interiors and Victoria Cool Aid Society could work in cooperation so that the relational connection, the food and care of this marginalized community would continue in its current location.

In the photo is Ken who has been apart of the CARTS community for years. Ken remembers our eviction from the Capitol Six parking lot. Ken reminds us like many others, its more than the food. He hasn't a lot of friends, shunned by much of the public on the street. He comes to just talk, share his week, some of his life stories. We've hugged, we laughed. There have been times when Ken has bought stuff out his disability pension just so he could give out stuff to others in the line. And, as much as Ken needs us, Ken reveals to us our own poverty. Ken has taught us more about faith than most of us think faith is. His humility, his gentle spirit, his gratitude and vulnerability. He shows us real humanity.

If we're evicted, we refuse to abandon the relationships we've cultivated over the years. The Jesus who lives in the midst of poverty will guide us so that his will may be done.