That was the message on my answering machine last week. I reviewed it several times before talking to the woman who had called. She described the person she saw, and figured since he had a religious button on his jacket he might be attending our church. She was quite concerned that we discover the identity of this man and try to ensure that he would be honored with a proper funeral service. “It’s a weird thing to die in the parking lot of a grocery store, with so many people around, but nobody knows your name.”
Several passersby had rushed to get help for a man who seemed to have suffered a heart attack or seizure. It was evident to these caring bystanders that the ambulance was unable to revive the man. The woman on the phone said she didn’t get much sleep that night.
I told her I would do my best to find out who it was.
Later in the day, I discovered that the person who passed away in the parking lot was John. He wasn’t attending our church, but was a resident of one of our renovated neighbourhood apartments.
John moved in almost a year ago. A friend heard about our Lazarus Housing renovation project and called to try to secure a place for John. “He’s about 50 years old. He’s a really nice guy but gets stuck in one hell-hole after another, since that’s all he can afford. I really hope you can find him a better place.” His present accommodations had a few rowdy fellow tenants, mice, a plumbing leak in the ceiling, and a wasp nest in the wall. Sleeping was hard, anticipating the next disturbance from tenants, wasp sting or mouse sighting.
Calls like this come several times a week. People tired of mice, roaches, leaky plumbing. Tired of rowdy neighbours, absentee landlords, neglected buildings. I know the issues aren’t simple. I don’t blame everything on landlords. I’ve met more slum tenants than slum landlords. But it’s usually the slum landlords who get all the press. Many landlords are in over their heads. Their inability to manage tenants or properly care for buildings causes much stress for older neighbourhoods like ours. There comes a time when people here don’t distinguish between landlords who are unable and those who are unwilling to do better. The end result can be the same – for the tenants as well as the buildings.
John came to check out a little bachelor apartment. He was thrilled with what he saw, and wanted to move in right away. Like many others, he came in with few of his own possessions, so we furnished the apartment with quality donated furniture and kitchen supplies.
John was receiving social assistance, due to a long-term disability. Despite the pain caused by his medical problems, he was always gracious and cheerful with the other tenants in the building. He would help wherever he was able, and always had a word of encouragement for others.
The day before the funeral, his brother came to collect John’s belongings. As we entered John’s room, he looked around and said, “John loved this place. It was like a palace compared to the other places he stayed. I’m glad that for the last year of his life he had a good place. Thanks…” His eyes welled with tears as he reflected on the loss of his only brother.
Housing, safety, and assistance have become more than “issues” to me. I see faces. I hear stories. Talking to John’s brother reminded me that inner-city revitalization is about more than renovation of buildings and tinkering with policies.
It’s about doing our best for people like John. He, in turn, gave his best to others. His smiles and encouragement were as important to others as our renovations were to him.
We miss John, but get some comfort from figuring he’s moved on to a place much better than any we could provide.
Someone new is moving into his apartment this week. We already know she’ll be a great neighbour.
She’s also thrilled about the most basic of amenities – a safe and clean place to live.
Rev. Harry Lehotsky
514 Maryland Street
Winnipeg, Mb R3G 1M5
(204) 775-4929
lehotsky@escape.ca