Conversation tool for the Toronto Prototype at The Meeting Place, West Neighbourhood House

1. Best drop-in centre
gets even better?
Dean’s* been coming for twenty plus
years to the drop-in at the corner.
Jane* likes coming back. “It’s magnetic,
this place, it draws you in.”
Rated the “best drop-in center in
Toronto” by most of its members, it is
clear how much the place functions as
a first or second home. It’s the place
where Lorie* can fry up spam and
eggs. It’s the place where friends can
meet-up for a competitive dominoes
tournament. It’s the place where you
can pick-up your ODSP check and
where staff “have your back.”
Is the status quo good enough?
Over the past two years, The
Meeting Place has lost 23 members
prematurely. Four local agencies
counted the deaths of 55 street-
involved adults in downtown west
Toronto. Most of these adults were
under 50, housed, and had a family
doctor. “All you do is lose people around
here,” a member noted. “It’s hard to make
new friends if you know they will go too.”
Are there alternative ways?
What will it take to keep members not
only alive, but thriving?
That’s the question behind the In/
Out project - a project that’s bringing
members, staff, and an international
team together to make new kinds of
supports happen. What if members
were connected to even more formal
& informal opportunities - for healing,
relationship coaching, adult learning,
finding decent jobs, dealing with
stereotypes and stigma, etc.
Over the next six months - thanks to
funding from the Metcalf Foundation,
United Way and West Neighbourhood
House - there is resource to bring some
fresh ideas to life. The goal is to look
beyond what is currently available to
what could be. It’s a luxury to be able
to think big when the day-to-day
busyness never seems to end. But,
that’s the point. Without time, energy,
and methods for remodeling services &
systems, can there ever be a way out of
the constant crises?
Meet the team
Sarah Schulman, Daniela Kraemer,
Margaret Fraser, and Maggie
Greyson hope to hold the space for
members and staff to create some
new realities. They come to the In/
Out project after 10-years working
from the bottom-up on tough social
challenges like social isolation in the
UK; child protection in Australia; and
cognitive disability in Vancouver.
In Australia, for example, they helped
to develop Family by Family: a
network of families helping families.
Rather than social workers coming
in to remove kids, Family by Family
matches up families who have been
through tough times so they can
support each other.
Their approach blends disciplines.
Sarah is a sociologist, and likes to
understand what makes people tick.
Daniela is an anthropologist, and
likes to understand culture and local
practice. Margaret is an industrial
designer, and likes to make ideas
concrete by drawing and building
things. Maggie is a set designer and
outreach person, who likes to create
surprising experiences.
Behind this approach is a philosophy
that is all about building on people’s
natural capabilities and resources,
rather than trying to “diagnose” or “fix”
problems with only professional care.
That means rather than come into a
space and impose their ideas, the In/
Out team starts by getting to know
people. This is what is known as
ethnographic research. They spend time
shadowing people and seeing their
everyday experiences. With consent,
they write-up these stories and make
short films to help policymakers
understand what’s not working. They
also run co-design sessions to generate
new ideas. But, they don’t just leave
ideas on paper. They actually run
small-scale versions of new ideas to get
feedback and improve them. This is
called prototyping.
Members and staff of the Meeting
Place are invited to get involved as
little or as much as they want. Over
the next six months, the team will host
free events & workshops. There will be
a range of paid job opportunities. And
there will be lots of time for a coffee or
a smoothie to get to know one another.
* members names are changed
November 21st - 2015
A Journey into DrugsTreatment
Read page 6-7
How do you feel today?
Photo story on page 4
Job ads
Read page 3Dream catching,
Dream doing
Read page 2
in/out timesThe
Inspiring examples from abroad
In San Francisco, the Navigation
Center is a homeless shelter with a
different spatial layout, and far fewer
rules. There is no curfew. You can
bring pets, possessions, and partners.
In Portland, homeless young people
make smoothies with a new pedal
powered smoothie cart from Outside
In. It’s one of many ways to provide
an income and work experience.
Tough realities
Source:
http://homesfirst.on.ca/info-stats
$38,000
Annual income
needed to afford
a one-bedroom
apartment
55%Percentage of sin-
gle parents who
earn less than that
31%Percentage of
couples who earn
less than $38,000
69%Percentage of
singles who earn
less than $38,000
$7,104
Annual amount
for a single
person receiving
Ontario Works
$368
Monthly shelter
allowance of
Ontario Works
5000Homeless individ-
uals in Toronto
9outof10
Homeless people
want permanent
housing

2. He checks the clipboard. Goes
downstairs. Hands out laundry soap.
Goes to the machines. Heads upstairs.
And repeats 9 times in 2.5 hours. It’s
good exercise, but could there be another
way to do laundry?
Choreographing laundry competes
for time alongside unlocking cabinets,
refilling milk jugs, and retrieving
belongings. All important tasks that staff
do with a smile, a joke, a friendly chat.
Imagine if there was an alternative way
to attend to some of the tasks? How
might staff and members spend their
freed up time?
Would less time on laundry mean
more time having longer and deeper
conversations? Would some staff have
more scope to check-in with members?
“I don’t do too much one on one work or spend
too much time in longer conversations” one staff
member reflected on. “I will eventually do
more of that, I’m very excited to get to the point
when I will do more”.
So what could we do about laundry?
What if there were some quick
technological solutions ­- a pager
system, where members’ pager lights up
when their laundry is done? Or tokens
to retrieve soap from an automatic
dispenser?
What if there were some new
roles and business opportunities
- perhaps a micro business that does and
folds laundry?
What if there were ways to use
pockets of time in a few different
ways? Could laundry be an opportunity
to do more than just cleaning clothes?
A way to refresh the mind or body too?
Perhaps there could be experiences on
offer in the workshops downstairs in the
time that fits a 30-min cycle. Anything
from clothes making & mending clothes;
to short documentary films; to a fitness
program; or a personal coaching session?
To look at Johnny, relaxed on the
green floral armchair, sipping his
double double, Q107 rock in the
background, you’d think he had been
sitting at the front of the store most of
his life. But this is not the case.
“Oh no” says Johnny, a peer worker,
artist and part of the team behind the
Meeting Place store, “It’s taken a long
time to get here, to get where I am
today.”
Johnny is a third-generation
residential school survivor. In
fact, he was placed in the same
residential school that his mother
and grandmother had been in years
before him. “The residential school taught
me to fail. They assimilated people, they
controlled people. They taught about heaven
and hell. It was scary as a child and these
feelings still resonate today.” To cope with
his emotions Johnny started using.
“There was a period of 2 years when
I was only sober for about 4 days. The
rest of the time, well, I was numb”.
How did Johnny get from numb to
working in the shop? What events or
interactions prompted him to change?
Johnny says it was the first time he met
his granddaughter - Neebyn - which
means summer in Cree. He held her up
to the sun. Johnny explained: “Something
about when I met her, it was like our spirits
hugged, something there clicked and I said John
you can’t be doing this your whole life”.
Johnny started getting help. He signed
up for rehab and began talking about
his story, or in his words: “giving his
pain some voice.” What really helped
him though, he said, was meeting
good people, like some of the folks at
the drop-in.
“You know”, Johnny continued:
“Addiction is the slowest form of suicide.
And you don’t know that when you are going
through it. Now I realize this and I know I
don’t have to do it”.
Today, Johnny has lots of ideas for
the Meeting Place shop and also for
further self-development as an artist.
The store is full of his unique designs,
as well as items created by members
of the centres’ craft workshops.
Johnny’s story is one of resilience.
And Johnny’s is not the only one.
There’s plenty of members’ with
stories of resilience - including both
big and small “aha” moments.
We want to hear more! Come share
your “aha” moments. We’re creating
an illustrated story collection. You
can find us on the floor, or send us an
email hello@inwithforward.com
Feature stories
Drop-in to other conversations
“When I first started talking to Jim he
was so angry,” one staff member at the
centre explained. “Every little thing
would make him go off. If a guy sat
down at his table he would get angry.
This was not good. So I started talking
to him and walking him through
scenarios to help him understand that
he had a choice. He had a choice to
deal with his anger in a better way.”
Members at the drop in centre feel
their experiences deeply. There has
been so much trauma in their lives;
missed opportunities; lost loved ones;
pain and frustration. After a while,
Jim’s anger started calming down.
He was choosing to take control of it,
rather than let it control him. “This I
would say is a success story” the staff
member continued. Jim suffers from
depression, which has manifested itself
in anger. “It was when he realised
that his depressed state, his anger, was
keeping him back that things for him
began to change”.
For many people at the drop-in centre,
the turning point in their life comes
through an interaction that teaches
them something new, whether it is
a new approach, or a new way of
thinking. What if every member had
a chance to have this interaction? Not
just a stimulating new conversation,
but talk that empowered.
Is there a way to inspire new kinds
of conversations at the drop-in?
In late November, UforYou will
launch. Members and staff can join
conversations, discussion groups,
and documentary screenings on
topics ranging from neuroscience to
Russian literature. In ‘Making Sense
of Emotions with Sigmund Freud,’ the
topic will be sadness, anger, happiness
and joy. What are different methods
and ways to understand emotions and
how we express them? Do we learn
emotions or are they innate?
What would our everyday life feel like if,
like Jim, we learned greater awareness
of our emotions and ourselves?
Laundry:more than
cleaning clothes?
Dream Catching,Dream Doing
Ufor you

3. Theseshoesaremadeforwalking
What is it like to walk in a member’s shoes?
The In/Out Project wants to find out - really
Spotlight
Jobs
Source weird and wonderful chairs,
objects, and books for us at local
Toronto thrift stores. You’ll help us
create a memorable space. This is a
1-day paid job. You like interior de-
sign and making spaces look & feel
nice. You’re a natural bargainer.
To apply, fill out an Interest Form at
the Front Desk. Tell us about your
favourite thrift stores or markets.
What makes them good? What’s the
best thing you’ve ever found in one?
*Don’tletwriting bethebarrier, wecan
also record your application if needed.
Got a good way with people? Help
us source interesting people to talk
to and audio record stories.Part
of your job will be tracking down
down who might have left the cen-
tre. We’re wanting to create a bank
of positive stories. This is an ongo-
ing job. We pay per story/podcast.
To apply, fill out one of the In-
terest Forms at the Front Desk.
Tell us an idea for a story you’d
like to write or record. *Don’t let
writing be the barrier, we can re-
cord your application if needed.
Take us on a tour of places you go,
and services you deal with. We’ll be
your shadow to get a feel for what a
day in your life is like - including your
interactions with workers. This is a
1-5daypaidjob.Wepaythehourswe
spend waiting for services with you.
All information will be anonimized.
To apply, fill out an Interest Form
at the Front Desk. Tell us about
what services you want us to see
- what’s good, what’s bad. *Don’t
let writing be the barrier, we can
record your application if needed.
Help us find recycled materials
and turn them into fit-for-purpose
furniture - like shelves, storage
units, moveable white boards. This
is a 3-day paid job.You are great
with your hands and a good prob-
lem-solver. You’re someone who
takes a lot of pride in what you make.
To apply, fill out an Interest Form-
sat the Front Desk.We like to see a
picture, drawing, or description of
work you built in the past. *Don’t
let writing be the barrier, we can
record your application if needed.
THRIFT / BOOK STORE
AFICIONADOS
STORYCORPS TOUR GUIDESFURNITURE BUILDER

4. Pain Point 1
Not much new to do today
Q: Are you bored?
A: “No, I’m not bored I’m just hungover”.
“Shower, laundry, computer, pool, meeting
with doctor. There’s lots to do”.
“Yeah, it’s the same thing here everyday”.
Whether people say they are bored or
not. How is time spent at the drop-in
centre? Playing pool, doing laundry,
meeting with a caseworker, hang-
ing-out with friends, making some
food, keeping warm. It’s the same
everyday. What if there were other
ways to spend time both in and out of
the drop-in centre? Could we create a
catalogue offering up different expe-
riences off-site like making maps or
metereology 101?
Pain Point 2
When we go to the donation cupboard
looking for clothing, there usually isn’t
anything I want there.
Q: How do you select your own
clothes from the donations?
A: “I’m not a materialist”.
“I go for what is best for the season, the
strongest items”.
“Yeah name brands are important for me”.
At this time of year clothing is very
important for people at the drop in
centre. It’s hard to find good clothing;
strong clothing, clothing suitable for
the climate, and clothing members
want to wear. What if there was
another way to make use of clothing
donations, a way that gives members’
choice as well as clothes? Could there
be a system where members trade a
service they excel at for quality items
of clothing they desire?
Pain Point 3
Homelessness
Q: What’s happening with housing?
A: “Housing? Pfft forget about it. The wait-
ing lists are 2 - 5 years long!”
“I don’t want subsidized housing - the rooms
are too small, and I have to deal with crack-
heads and the police. But that is all casework-
ers can help me find”.
“If you refuse to take a place, if you don’t
want to live there, they take you off the list,
they discharge you”.
Nearly every member of the drop-in
has had an issue finding or keeping
housing. Waiting lists are way too long,
not to mention that housing offered by
the city is often not the kinds of places
or the locations where members want
to live. What if there was a system in
place that grouped people in and out
of the centre with similar housing pref-
erences and needs together and then
help them find independent housing
to rent?
Pain Point 4
System Absurdity
Q: Does the current social system work
for you?
A: “The problem here in Toronto is that they
put you in a shelter while they try to find you
housing. The lists for getting housing are so
long. And you have to ask your caseworker
what’s happening every 2 days or you get lost
in the pile”.
“I called 311 for help but they didn’t do
anything. Really I get most of my information
from other people on the street. They’re the
ones who have the best info on where to go and
what to do”.
“To get one of the members onto ODSP I
need to have collateral - this is doctors notes,
information on therapies and treatments
etc. The problem is that it’s very hard to get
other agencies to send over this information.
Without though, the member won’t be able to
get ODSP”.
What if the system worked better for
both members and staff? What if there
was an easier way for members to
keep and have access to their own files
digitally? What if there was a way to
take bits of information and digitize it
into a portfolio so you didn’t have to go
searching for pieces of paper? Could
members be more empowered to
make their own ODSP, Housing and
OW applications?
Pain Point 5
Too painful to keep living!
Q: What got you sober? What keeps
you going?
A: “I met my grand-daughter and held her in
my arms for the first time”.
“My son came back into my life”
“My daughter Helen, she has down syndrome
and is in a home. If I don’t take care of her
then no one will”.
Relations with family members is
important for many members’ sur-
vival, healing and drive for self-im-
provement. Family gives members the
incentive to live and do better. What if
there was a way to increase and assist
family reconciliation and reunification?
Could we develop a way to assist and
promote family reconnections? A pro-
cess to help members find a place and
belonging in their wider community?
Pain Point 6
Where to keep my stuff?
Q: What do you do with your posses-
sions?
A: “I was evicted because I have too much
stuff. I’m homeless now and i keep my things
in a storage unit. But i’m spending so much
money on it each month”.
“I have a locker at my rooming house
but it’s full of stuff. I would like to put
these things here in the locker but I
need help and I worry that if a social
service comes to help me they will just
throw out everything I have”.
“This drop-in centre is better than all
the other centres in the city, here they
really understand that a lot of people
don’t have anywhere to keep their
stuff. The staff here let me keep my
stuff here and trust that I will pick it up
the next day”.
Everyone possesses items of value, sen-
timental objects, photos, not to men-
tion necessities of daily life. But when
you are homeless or between homes,
it’s hard to know what to do with your
things? What if there were ways to
keep valued possessions easily, accessi-
ble, and for not too much money? In
the same way that cities offer public
porto-potties, can we build accessible
and affordable storage units into the
downtown landscape? Would this
small addition free members from the
constant worry about their stuff?
5 conversations, 5 pain points, 5 opportunties
This week, members were asked to
pick words to describe their emotions.
How do you feel today?
Arethereotherways?
“Feeling both MAD and a bit tired” “Loving and feeling loved”
“Mixed emotions ...”But later on….
“Waiting for the doctor.
Waiting is a frustrating word”
Feature stories

5. LIFE’S TOO
SHORT FOR BAD
BOOKS.
Bibliography guides you to amazing works of liter-
ature and film, both past and present, that have the
power to enchant, enrich and inspire.
In a personal conversation with our bibliographer,
you’ll explore your relationship with books and
media so far and be asked to explore new directions.
Perhaps you’re looking for an author whose style you
love so much you want to devour every word they’ve
ever written. Maybe you’re feeling disconnected from
the world and want to watch to the classics of your
childhood. Or you’re seeking a change in your life
and want to hold the hand of people who’ve been
there and done that already.
We’ll devote ourselves to creating an inspirational
media diet, tailor-made for you. Call 614-355-3537.
Many people feel as if they’re adrift in the world.
Recognisable? Chances are that you haven’t set
formal goals. After all, would you set out on a ma-
jor journey with no real idea of your destination?
Goal setting is a powerful process for thinking
about your ideal future, and for motivating your-
self to turn your vision of this future into reality.
Get in touch for a free lesson, no strings attached.
There are many different approaches to health
and healing. We’ve selected a series of therapies
that are using these senses - including smell, col-
our, music, and laughing therapy.
Interested? Book a taster to see which one works
best for you. At this point therapies are free as
we’re testing interest.
Call 000-000-0000 to book a taster session.
We offer a free haircut, fashion consult,
and massage so that you can start to
feel as good inside as you look outside.
We have limited places available,
call 000-000-0000 for availability.
Bureaucrat for a day
Frustrated with all the bureaucratic red
tape? Sign-up and get linked-up with a real,
live bureaucrat. They’ll shadow you for a
day and record system breakdowns and
annoyances. Have your voice heard.
$100
for your idea
Small things can make a big difference.
Mini Grants is new program to help build community
and improve the places where you live and lke to hang
out. Have a great idea for your community? Learn more
about the Mini Grants Program, or download you appli-
cation form on www.minigrants.ca.
The deadline for applications is 32st November 2015.
Biz Kickstarter
What do people in power
really know about facing life
challenges and addictions?
Educate and inform by capturing your own
experiences. Sign-up to Tracker, and get
paid for recording data about the services
you use, and where your money goes.
It’s simple and easy. We supply you with a
phone and text messaging credit.
Mini
Grants
Fund
Plan to Live Your
Life. Your Way.
Advertisement
Get matched to other community centers across
Canada that could use your experience, skills, and
expertise. A sabbatical is a period of paid leave
for study or travel, traditionally every seventh year.
At Sabbatical Swap, this period is typically 2-4
weeks. Application ends on November 27.
Sabbatical Swap
Take a sabbatical from
the drop-in centre.
Do you have an idea to start your own
business? It’s not as complicated and
expensive as many people think.
Our advisors are hosting drop-in clinics
in the Meeting Place. We help you think
through the steps. We can help sort out
the admin, so you can focus on your
new venture. All for free.
Next drop-in clinics:
Wed 25 Nov 12.00 - 2pm
Thu 26 Nov 2pm - 4pm
Or call / text to 000-000-0000 to
book a personal appointment.
Therapeutic sampling pack
Fresh
look
Fresh
starts

6. Systems maps are used to document individual’s experiences within and between
services and systems. Where are the breakdowns and the creative workarounds?
AJourneyintoDrugTreatment
Avelina, age 29, has spent 9 years on and off the streets,
struggling with a heroin addiction. Last spring she was
ready for a change. Then her dad passed away, followed
by her good friend, Tom. She lost her housing, and
things continued to go downhill making sobriety harder
and harder. Mapping Avelina’s story gives clues as to
where system change is needed. “I don’t want to change and you can’t change me”
“When I get stronger, I become more confident
in myself. I love myself more. I know I”m a
goodperson. I’m talented. I want to start getting
back into what I’m good at.”
“The only change that happens around here is
people leave or die.”
“Change, sure it would be great if things were
different. But what can I do about that?”
System view
Finally gets
money for return
ticket - by bus.
Tom, a close
friend, dies in
Toronto.
Takes bus back
to Toronto.
Is stuck in Winnipeg
for two months
without control over
the situation.
Father is sick and about to
die. Uncle is trying to buy
a ticket to come visit. Drug
use accelerates.
Takes bus to
Winnipeg
Spring Summer
Flight is too expensive.
A support worker asks
help from charity to pay
for ticket. The charity
says no.
Has housing
through NomRes.
Dad dies before arrival
in Winnipeg. Stays with
family - but wants to
return to Toronto.
Tries hard to get
money from services
to leave Winnipeg.
Another support
worker helps pay
for the bus ticket
back.
Looses ODSP
- no income
anymore.
Landlord arranges
stuff and changes
locks. “I need to get
new keys”
dad
friend
Dad dies before being able to saying goodbye...
What people like Avelina say...

7. PointandCounterpoint
Debate
Let’s debate. When it comes to addressing some of the big challenges members
face - addictions, exclusion, cultural disconnection, homelessness, joblessness -
there aren’t clear cut answers. There are big questions. So: where do you land
and why?
Fall
GP refers her
to Rapid Detox
Facility.
Detox medication
prescribed for 2
weeks.
Eventually, one
doctor agrees to refill
prescription despite
big health risks.
Gets admitted to detox
program, but can only stay
a maximum of 8 days.
Alcohol usage raises
red flags for doctors. Sleeping rough again.
Remains homeless.
Has boyfriend.
Back using
heroin
Tries to get boyfriend
ODSP.
Tries really hard to get into detox...
Support worker
phones detox centre.
Not admitted because
of prescription
medication use.
wants his house backwants to leave wants to leave
Waits two hours
in hallway - with
withdrawal sypmtoms
in full force. Throws
up in trash can.
Refill medication
needed - but no
doctor will sign-off.
Belonging and Change
Is there such a thing as too much
belonging? Can feeling too
comfortable be a block to change?
AND/
OR
Do you have to feel comfortable
in order to invest in change?
Trauma and Resilience
So many people have experienced
deep and profound trauma. What’s
the balance between focusing on
the trauma?
AND/
OR
Focusing on resilience and
the ways in which people are
rebounding?
Inclusion and Exclusion
Shelters centres have a distinct
culture. Is it important that shelters
centres create a space only for
street-involved folks?
AND/
OR
Is it important that shelters and
centres are more integrated into
the wider community and have
a greater mix of people?
Dependency and Independence
Are services and supports creating
dependencies by functioning as
gatekeepers and information holders?
AND/
OR
Are services and supports
helping people to navigate
complex systems?
Unstructured and Structured
Is it a good thing that drop-in centers
are an open informal space for
hanging out?
AND/
OR
Should there be more
structured activities novel
experiences that engage
people’s minds and bodies?
Continuity and Change
Do we want drop-in centres to function
as ongoing gathering places? AND/
OR
Do we want to create enough
opportunities outside drop-
in centres so they aren’t as
needed?

8. Advertisement
ph
Ufor you
“Before, I had a drought
of interesting things to
think about. With U for
you I learned ways to
understand my emotions
through mindfulness”
Contact us at PH: 416 556 1448
Trouble makers
Word smiths
Armchair travelers
Lost and left out
Wonderers
Drifters and drop-ins
Busy beings
Philosophers
Spontaneous spirits
free-thinkers
U for you is for you. Come along to any of the think in’s help us
find new topics people that you would like to hear from.
Held at or around the meeting place regularly