Show Notes
David Alton of the Lived Expertise Working Group talks to Bob Jonkman about the work of LEWG, what is “lived expertise”, working with the City of Kitchener, the principles of human rights in housing, homelessness, and using contributions of people with lived expertise. David tells us of some upcoming events for the members of the Lived Expertise Working Group and the public.
David was previously interviewed on CKMS Community News on 14 August 2023.
The interview starts at 7m35s.
Online:
- Lived Expertise Working Group: https://www.waterlooregion.org/lived-expertise-working-group
- Social Development Centre: https://waterlooregion.org/
- CAEH Fundraiser: Sponsor Lived Experts to attend CAEH Conference (GoFundMe)
- E-mail: david.alton@waterlooregion.org
- Phone: +1‑519-579-3800
Other Mutual Aid groups:
- FightbackKW: https://fightbackkw.wordpress.com/about/
- ACCKWA: https://www.acckwa.com/
- Sanguen: https://sanguen.com/
- Civic Hub WR: https://civichubwr.org/
Upcoming Events
-
Queer Youth Defence
- When: 9:00am to 11:00am Wednesday 20 September 2023
- Where: Carl Zehr Square, Kitchener City Hall, 200 King Street West Map
- Website: Canada Anti-Hate Network
-
Ride For Refuge
- When: 10:00am to 1:00pm Saturday 23 September 2023
- Where: Social Development Centre
- Location: 23 Water Street North, Kitchener Map
- Website: Kitchener Central sponsorship page
Podcast
Download: ckms-community-connections-2023-09-18-episode140-David-Alton-of-the-Lived-Expertise-Working-Group.mp3 (55 MB, 57m11s, episode 140)
Index
| Time | Title | Album | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0m00s | Theme for CKMS Community Connections ccc |
 CKMS Community Connections |
Steve Todd |
| 0m58s | Simcoe Mud |
 Ordinary Sunrise |
Jay Linden |
| 4m15s | Mississipi Mud |
 Lovesick Broke & Driftin’ |
Hank Williams III |
| 7m35s | David explains the purpose of the Lived Expertise Working Group, twelve folks with housing marginalization experience and advocacy experience. “Expertise” rather than “Experience”, so that the contributions are seen with the same value as academic expertise. They are presenting a report to the City of Kitchener council as part of a staff report from the Planning Department. Pointing out the different areas of responsibility for City departments, and different levels of government. The work LEWG is doing with the City of Kitchener is influencing decisions made in other municipalities (City of Cambrige, City of Waterloo, the Region of Waterloo). But a large part of the work is helping the mutual aid groups in the area, creating a bridge between these groups and the municipalities. Talking about the role and perceived role of by-law enforcement, part care-giving, part criminalizing. David’s message to all organizations is to remove the barriers to care. They recognize the difficult role that municipalities have. A good news story: The Region of Waterloo modified a by-law on hate speech to include income status and housing status. | ||
| 22m09s | Can You See Me? |
 (single) |
Courtney Wolfe |
| 24m45s | David talks about the report that will be presented to council: A list of principles; what it means to include lived expertise in the planning process. The people working in the Lived Expertise Working Group are being compensated, just as experts from other areas would be. There are stipends for transportation, child care, &c. Not just the people in LEWG are at capacity, but councillors and city staff feel overwhelmed by all the pressures and logistics, but the community understands that. There was some friction at the June council meeting, David recaps. David discusses the different sources of funding for their position and the Lived Expertise Working Group. David tells us about the Ride For Refuge, this Saturday. Covering some of the eight principles of lived expertise engagement, for example “the value of bridges”, “the value of paid work”, “navigating around conflict.” | ||
| 40m57s | Jillian |
 (YouTube) |
I, the Mountain |
| 44m05s | Talking about David’s participation in the Jillian video, with their partner Aashay. Talking about David’s participation in Ground Up WR, working to counter the “Parents’ Rights” movement that restricts youth from self-expression. There is a rally at City Hall on Wednesday, everyone who wants to be an ally is invited. Ground Up is well connected with the community, it’s a good place to start if you’re looking to help. David encourages people to pay close attention to what’s going on in housing and homelessness — winter is coming. Follow organizations like Unsheltered Campaign or ACCKWA. The Lived Expertise Working Group is sending some members to Halifax for the Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness conference in November, donations are gratefully accepted to enable LEWG to help send another member to the conference. Connect with the Social Development Centre or the Civic Hub Waterloo Region to get involved. Talking about the photographic exhibition, which was a conference fundraiser. | ||
| 56m46s | Bob gives the end credits. | ||
CKMS Community Connections Hour One airs on CKMS-FM 102.7 on Monday from 11:00am to Noon, and Hour Two airs alternate Fridays from 3:00pm to 4:00pm.
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Bonus Video
YouTube: CKMS Community Connections for Monday 18 September 2023
Show notes and podcast interview content is Copyright © 2023 by the participants, and released under a 
Creative Commons Attribution Only license. Copy, re-use, and derivative works are allowed with attribution to Radio Waterloo and a link to this page. Music selections are copyright by the respective rights holders.
