ADVOCACY
The Dream Team’s Advocacy
Advocacy is a big part of what we do. Check out the video below and then browse through our current and previous advocacy campaigns.
“When The Dream Team members speak, people really listen because their personal stories of recovery are powerful and inspirational.”
“The Dream Team members help young people and adults to overcome fear and misunderstanding of mental illness. It is important work, and helps to build stronger communities.”
Recovery For All
Recovery for All is a national advocacy campaign designed by the Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness, asking Canadians to encourage the federal government to make bold investments in housing, homelessness and income support to end homelessness in Canada, once and for all.
The Dream Team endorses this campaign, along with dozens of other Canadian organizations. Click to read The Dream Team’s endorsement.
Website: www.recoveryforall.ca
Toronto Right 2 Housing Coalition
The Dream Team is a participating member of the Toronto Right 2 Housing Coalition. In May 2019, an important milestone was achieved in Canada as Parliament formally recognized that housing is a fundamental human right. The R2H Coalition is made up of many advocacy and human rights organizations across Ontario and continues to fight for housing for all. Find out more: https://righttohousing.wordpress.com/
Postcard Campaign
The Dream Team organized and promoted two postcard campaigns to “increase the supply of affordable and supportive housing across Ontario so that people facing mental illness can rebuild their lives and contribute to society.” We collected 2000 signatures in the first campaign and 4,000 in the second campaign, presented to the Liberal and the NDP caucuses, and were emphatically supported by George Smitherman and Marilyn Churley. This inspired David Miller to declare February 27 “Supporting Housing Day.” Nine days after our second press conference at Queen’s Park, the three levels of government announced the Affordable Housing Agreement, which identified supportive housing as one of the two specific target groups to receive more funding.
Road Show and Human Rights Cases
In 2007, we headed out on our "roadshow" to lead public information sessions and talk to people about their experiences with supportive housing in Sarnia, Kitchener, Smiths Falls, Ottawa, and Thunder Bay. We filed human rights applications against the municipalities of Sarnia, Kitchener, Smiths Falls, and Toronto for creating zoning bylaws that discriminate against people with mental health issues who live in group homes. The Human Rights Legal Support Centre (HRLSC) were our legal representatives in the case. We won every case and each municipality eliminated discriminatory distancing bylaws.
Show Me the Way to go Home Sing-A-Long
We have hosted several sing-a-longs and charity dinners to raise money and awareness for supportive housing, homelessness, and mental health.
