"Enough is enough!": 519 Community Collective founder speaks out

Originally posted on FB Group 519 Community Collective - Posted here with authors permission  - April 25th, 2022
"Hello, My name is Julie Sawatzky, and I am a loving mother, wife, professional photographer, makeup artist, salon owner, visionary & community change maker.

I am incredibly interested in speaking with Council in regards to the lack of basic needs at the Victoria Street & Weber Street Encampment. I run a local organization called the 519 Community Collective, and across social media, we have almost 12,500 members! This is an issue that we all believe in very strongly.
Julie Sawatzky founded the 519 Community Collective in 2020 at COVID onset. Since its initiation it has expanded to include a variety of services for those who are homeless or of low income and needing aid.

Having a solution for "right now", does not mean you are saying YES to them all living there forever. That is not the issue here. But these folks have limited options once the soup kitchen is closed. The next option would be the Ray of Hope! That is a very far walk. These folks are afraid of leaving anything behind or alone due to fear of theft! Imagine when the soup kitchen is closed on the weekends. Ladies with menstrual cycles, folks with IBS, or bladder infections, urinary tract infections, or worse.

What an awful way to have to live. Many of them do not choose this lifestyle, rather are forced into it by generational poverty, and economic situations.

We have an obligation as a society, and as a community to stand up for our most vulnerable community members. Having a safe space to use a restroom, is a basic human right.

We have an obligation to get porta-potties out there right away or provide each and every one of these folks access to safe shelter. Please do keep in mind that some have no choice but to avoid shelter though due to trauma, violence, theft, sexual abuse, drugs, and more.

We are one of many groups who are doing our part to ensure these folks have their food needs met, we help bring them essentials, water, sleeping bags, food storage so rats do not become an issue, we provide support, kindness, and whatever we can to make sure they can survive.
Region of Waterloo Council Meeting - April 27th, 2022  
Re: CSD-HOU-22-13, Supporting those Experiencing
Unsheltered Homelessness
Sign the Petition by 519 Community Collective founder, Julie Sawatzky! 
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Washrooms are a basic need! We need action now! - Victoria and Weber encampment​
Someone has to step in and say enough is enough! Let us remember back to Fackoury's - the place of the first Regional sponsored portapotties in 2020. Having a portapotty didn't make it a permanent solution.

To deny people their human rights is to challenge their very humanity. We can and MUST do better! These are our neighbors, our community members, and our peers. Shame on us! They deserve better!

How can we work together to make sure we can take care of this immediate need, and then move forward to try and solve the problem of having these encampments across the region? This is one of many that we are currently supporting! We are stronger together, that is a fact!

Please help give these folks their dignity back! I am pleading with you! These are someone's daughters, sons, fathers, mothers, nieces, nephews, grandparents, sisters, and brothers. Would you allow this another day if that was your son or your daughter?

Sincerely, 
Julie Sawatzky Founder of 519 Community Collective "
Fackoury's Porta Potty, 2020
(filled with Sunshine)