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Deep glass eyes
Gabbie Archright

The other day I was in downtown Toronto, shopping, and hanging out with some girlfriends. As we walked toward City Hall to grab some lunch at the Quiznos nearby, I noticed a homeless woman on the corner. I had seen a few other homeless people, but this woman stood out to me. My friends are the more prim type, so I approached (the woman) alone. While handing her some change and a spare bill or two, I couldn't help but notice a small child's hat and boots, and a worn out rag doll beside her. Inside my purse, my hand came to rest on an extra 20 dollar bill. As she thanked me for the money, one of my friends called as the light turned green. Wishing her well, I turned and went on with the day.

On the GO Train, my thoughts plagued me: If this woman has a family on the street, there must be others. And the most worrying of all: What becomes of the kids?

Arriving home, I found the newspaper at the door, slightly damp. While I unloaded my purchases, I scan the headlines, when I find "Teddy Bears for Comfort: Children's Futures BBQ". I quickly became intrigued, my new Banana Republic sweater behind me on the floor..

Teddy Bears for Comfort, or TB4C, is an organization dedicated to helping homeless families get from the street to basic living. Started in Hamilton, Ontario, this local group has two six-unit centres running already, and is looking to purchase a property in Toronto. TB4C targets families with small children, providing them with shelter and basic living at very little cost. Their centres are based on a 2 year development plan. Teddy Bears for Comfort was started as a small project in 1992 by a group of McMaster University graduates who wanted to make a difference.

George Fivley, one of the co-founders, grew up on the street after losing his father to alcohol poisoning, and his mother had trouble keeping jobs. They moved around endlessly before finally winding up on the street. As a child, the other co-founder, Natalie Garneau befriended George, helping him through high school and into Uni. They are both now respected medical experts in Hamilton, and happily engaged. Their story is a story of hope, one that they wished to share.

TB4C provides basic necessities: a place to sleep, to eat, to live. Some other features include a community kitchen, on-site nurses, and childcare, as many people are hesitant to leave their children alone during the day for a job. They fundraise in various areas around the GTA, hoping to expand the project further. There are still many families in need within this area, despite contrary belief. Every penny counts for them. The buildings are those that are to be demolished, refurbished to a comfortable setting. Each building is settled with a nurse, and various dedicated volunteers to help cook, and look after the children while their parents work to provide for them. Hopefully, this will adapt them to standard living. The process is anticipated to be 2 years long.

But then I wondered: How well would this program work? To answer that question, I located the Brooks family, one of the first few families to graduate from this program. They now reside in a bungalow on Connaught Avenue, just off Yonge Street in North York. Ms. Cynthia Brooks was very welcome and happy to answer my everlasting tirade of questions. She named TB4C as a turning point in her life, the point that helped her get back on track. Her son is now in the University of Guelph. "I remember the teddy bear," Brooks said. "I still have it. It was a light brown bear with deep glass eyes."

Their next event is being held this Saturday in Queen's Park, one which I will surely attend and hope that you will, too. Perhaps I can help that woman and her child and all the other families in need. These are children living on the street, growing up in an environment which they did not choose. The shared goal is simple. To get families from the street to standard living. To start them off. To provide them with help. To give these young children a home, a future.. and a teddy bear.