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WE ARE LISTENING provides a platform for the forgotten voices in our city to be heard. If you have a curious spirit, love to learn and listen to authentic stories, this series is for you.
The Back Door Mission for the Relief of Poverty serves community members who are in need and experiencing homelessness. Our hope is that through the power of story, Oshawa citizens will see the collective strength of our entire community. We believe when people feel seen and heard, positive change is possible.
Stories released every two weeks beginning in November through spring 2022.
Listen with us.
The Back Door Mission for the Relief of Poverty serves community members who are in need and experiencing homelessness. Our hope is that through the power of story, Oshawa citizens will see the collective strength of our entire community. We believe when people feel seen and heard, positive change is possible.
Stories released every two weeks beginning in November through spring 2022.
Listen with us.
Brought to you by Back Door Mission in association with Story Collector.
The views and opinions expressed by the individuals featured in this storytelling series do not represent the views and opinions of the Back Door Mission and Mission United.
The views and opinions expressed by the individuals featured in this storytelling series do not represent the views and opinions of the Back Door Mission and Mission United.
Don
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A love for music and battle with addiction has driven this man to create a repertoire of songs built on strength and perseverance. Having experienced homelessness, poverty and the value of community, Don shares with us a window into his world.
Release date November 18th, 2021 |
Shaun
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Having grown up close to addiction and mental illness, Shaun maintains a solid sense-of-self and determined resolve to shape a stable life for his future.
Release date December 3nd, 2021 |
Barb
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A woman whose charming optimism and warm compassion invites you into her presence. Barb talks about the trauma of losing her father, her love for nature, and thoughts on being happy.
Release date December 16th, 2021 |
Ricky
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Refusing to accept his reality as a given, this young man shares his desire for an opportunity to escape the debilitating cycle of poverty and addiction. He believes if something is broken, you rebuild.
Release date January 11th, 2022 |
Sliwa
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Born in Iraq, Sliwa fled to Syria for safety, then immigrated to the United States (US). Having worked as a translator for the US, his experiences left him in fear of returning to the country. Now a visitor in Canada, Sliwa states "What we are suffering is not poverty, it is a an act of inhumanity."
Release date January 29th, 2022 |
Sharon
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Sharon describes a series of misfortunes, the last one causing her to leave an alleged volatile living situation. Without a place to live, she has come to know the local community experiencing homelessness and shares her observations of their kindness.
Release date February 14th, 2022 |
Karen
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Karen describes how being noticed and supported helped her come back to herself. Community support services and the staff members that assisted her helped Karen feel deserving of love. Karen now has a place to call home.
Karen's story release date: March 11th |
SHAWN
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In an effort to raise awareness about the growing addiction crisis, Shawn felt compelled to share his story of losing both his friend and father to overdoses.
Shawn's story release date: April 12th |
Mathew |
“Selling dope leads to doing dope, and doing dope leads to dying.” Words spoken by Mathew the summer before he passed. In this candid interview, Mat talks about how drugs consumed his life.
Mathew's story release date: Thursday April 28th |
Shawn |
Having lived most of his life on the street, Shawn describes the loss of a memorial site he created and maintained before serving time.
Story release date: June 9th |