Let’s Chat: Maggie’s story of compassion

By Linda Tooth on September 10, 2025.

Are you like many trying to understand how the unhoused (homeless) population came to be? It is not just Medicine Hat struggling to provide services for this population. To some extent, it is every community in Canada.

Now that I am working in downtown Medicine Hat I see men and women, young and old, wandering through the streets looking through garbage dumpsters trying to find things that will make their lives a bit more adaptable to their surroundings. This can include things like clothing and food.

I cannot remember how I came to know of Maggie Helwig’s novel Encampment, but I am very grateful I did. I located a copy at the Redcliff Public Library and immersed myself into the world of an unhoused community living on the grounds of St. Stephen-in-the-fields church yard in Toronto.

This urban neighbourhood does not sound any different than neighbourhoods we are familiar with. It contains schools, churches, residential dwellings and businesses. This should sound very familiar to our community as many living in the River Flats voiced concerns over the Mustard Seed’s Community Impact Centre being located in their community.

Helwig is an Anglican minister and activist who became immersed in a lengthy political battle with the municipal government of Toronto regarding the rights of those who were living in tents on church and city property.

Her compassion and those working with her saw many people being shuffled between encampments, shelters and hospitals as no one really knew where they belonged.

One of the points made in this story which I found very interesting is that encampments are referred to as a community that offers healing and mental support. Why are we in such a rush to move them?

Yes, I will admit there have been days where I think they need to leave the park, but after reading this story I now realize it is the only community they know and that community is located at the park in downtown Medicine Hat.

One chapter that stands out for me is the chapter on loss. For those living on the street it is described as an “infinite litany of loss.”

Your bags, books, clothing, tents, identification and any material possessions you may have will inevitably be stolen or lost. You will also lose stability, friends to overdoses or suicide, and you can also lose custody of your children to grandparents or foster families.

The hole this must create in their soul is unimaginable for many of us, but it is a reality for this population.

Toward the end of Helwig’s story she mentions that a new group is becoming more evident at encampments – teenage girls. Many of these girls are survivors of what Helwig refers to as “unspeakable abuse that began for them in childhood.”

Sadly, this is not just the norm in Toronto. Right here in our own community more teenage girls are accessing services needed to help keep them safe.

I am currently researching the world of grandparents raising their grandchildren. This is also known as kinship and I will be sharing my findings with all of you very soon.

Have a Meowtastic day and keep reading!

Linda Tooth is a philanthropy and youth support worker, YMCA of Southeastern Alberta