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Rev. Al Tysick	from Victoria’s Our Place and Open Door
	A meeting circle

The circle was his idea—said something about the man – he was here as a friend—an equal—didn’t want to stand in front of a room and lecture to rows of chairs

Several anecdotes in place of narrative

Links at end page

When Tysick got to PR at 10 PM – looking for something to do—‘went to Tim Hortons’ Concept: he started talking to people most strangers would ‘fear’ and avoid at all costs	There was this group of maybe 10 kids (or rather young adults)
	‘Started talking --- I invited them to a supper in near by restaurant—later we went to one of their apartments and continued the conversation’ ----And thus he was introduced to Rupert – these young people seemed to have no future in Rupert—forestry and fishing which needed little education were gone now —all you needed then was grade 10 for good paying jobs

Concept 2: Lawrence’s story Learning from others

Tell me why?—there was only silence

He attended Port Alberni residential school earlier in life ---always alone ---One day I met him—he against a rusty old chain link fence and looked like death ---black leather jacket and a bandana around his weather beaten face -- I felt his pain – for the longest time he was silent. Then:- ’Why are there rich and poor people? Why am I poor most of my life? Why have I suffered so much? – I was silent. God was silent. The universe was silent— The silence ripped a hole in the man’s chest and the anger of years came spilling out of his mouth--- he grabbed his back pack – the only thing he owned in a life time –He disappeared into the traffic yelling and crying: ‘Why?’ I buried him last week – alone – he and I were the only people at that burial --- so I bring his voice to this circle, his passion: Why is there so much wealth? So much poverty? We have so much wealth in this province. We have to start spreading it out more.

Reason for Talk in PR ‘Rev. Al was selected by Time Magazine Canada as one of our nation’s heroes for his work with homelessness and addictions in Victoria’

Homeless shelter for PR

Tysick’s main message seemed to be ‘Work Together’ Only as a community including businesses, religious social groups etc that have done their homework and thought out what is needed and all speak with one voice – then politicians/ society will listen He seemed to end his presentation by returning in his mind to that group of young people ---‘What can I do? --- All I can do is look forward to being unemployed--“All I can do is leave – And he reminded us all that can’t allow ourselves to be defeatist --- and the way forward was not as individuals but group consensus----

Bio: Al Tysick, Victoria

Links on Web

Royal Roads – thanks to 10M$ in grants recently broke ground new facility which should be finished by September Here is a Special to Times Colonist article written by Rev Al about his Victoria work Info on Open Door: Since 1986 the Open Door has provided a drop-in centre for the inner city family of Victoria as an outreach ministry of the United Church of Canada And Reverend Al in talk gave a humorous account of business reception to his homeless shelter when opened in their neighbourhood – similar to this on Page 2 of their Fall 2006 Newsletter (PDF)

Created by LG on Jan 11, 2006

Last updated on Saturday, January 13, 2007