As you may know from a previous post, a special memorial service was held this past Sunday at Hope Mission, (my work place) for all the people who had died on or around Edmonton streets. Cheryl’s brother Jason, was one of them.

Here is the eulogy and announcement made by Cheryl:

My name is Cheryl Kaye Tardif and I am the sister of Jason Kaye, Edmonton’s third homicide last January. Jason was a young man, only 28 when he died, who struggled with alcohol and depression. We tried to be there for him and never gave up hope that he’d turn his life around. Until he was murdered and left to die alone.

As a teen, Jason was a red-headed computer genius, who had so much potential. As an adult, he was always the jokester and would give his shirt off his back to help a friend. Since his death, we have heard so many heartening stories from some of his wonderful friends, and this comforts us to know that he was not alone, even though he had cut himself off from family.

It was difficult for the police to track us down, since my last name is not the same and we’re the only family Jason had in Edmonton . But Jason had told his friends that his sister was an author who had written a book about whales. That’s how the police found me. Whale Song, a novel, was the only book of mine that my brother had ever read, and this April it will be re-released, bigger and better, with a special dedication to my brother. Whale Song is Jason’s book now.

On behalf of my family, who live in various provinces and could not be here today, I would like to take this time to thank the Edmonton Police for their caring and persistence in this investigation, which is still open. Thank you to the media who has always dealt with us gently and honestly, to Jason’s friends―the Porch Monkeys―who made him happy, and to the organizations that tried to help him.

I would like to take this time to formally announce that I will be donating a portion of my royalties from my novel Whale Song to the three main organizations that helped my brother most: The Bissell Centre, the Mustard Seed Church and Hope Mission.

It is my hope that this money will be used to better the downtown area for all people, especially those less fortunate. It is my dream that there are some who want to be helped, whose life may be changed-may be saved, as we were unable to do for Jason. It is my vision that our streets be made safer, especially for those who walk them and live on them.

I’m doing this for myself, for my brother Jason and for all the ‘Jasons’ out there, because no one should go hungry, or be forgotten…or die alone in a cold, dark alley.

Thank you.

Cheryl’s Blog… (Now listed in Grow Mercy’s blogroll)

Technorati Tags: Cheryl Kaye Tardif, Whale Song, Hope Mission, Homelessness

"Wouldn’t let a knight out on a dog like this." Funny how that old chestnut doesn’t work in print.

AM, Jasper and 101 Street Edmonton, Alberta

Listened to wind whistle past our leaky bedroom window last night. Reports of snow accumulation had tempered over the past few days. Two days ago during the "Perfect Storm" warnings I thought myself clever for living on the third floor.

I’ve trudged to the Jasper and 101 St. Starbucks today. A little disoriented as a result. No regular table you see. But I considered the blizzard and since I need to be down at the Hope Mission Centre for a meeting this morning I got geographically sensible.

I didn’t see any "pickers" or panhandlers this morning, just a few toqued business men. And one bareheaded lady, skirt and high heels, tripping along 4th Street. I’m thinking she parked a-place-too-far from car to "coiffe-ateria." (forgive me) Wind whipped her and her short blond hair…but at least if she makes it indoors her hair will not have been horribly compressed by a wool cap. That would be ghastly. Frost burns are much prettier.

CBC did an obligatory cold weather/blizzard story the other night. One guy said in an interview that if it wasn’t for Hope Mission he’d be dead. Janelle, Hope Mission’s spokesperson, said to the camera that the blizzard will bring a few people up from the river valley. I was sunk into a warm couch listening to this, tempted to swear that Edmonton has the hardiest street people, not thinking about the chain of grim circumstance that might keep someone "living" in the river valley in weather like this. I have no concept. My brush with homelessness was a luxury.

A guy selling Voice, (street vending for street people), has just now taken his position on the corner of Jasper and 101 St. in front of the old Commerce bank. Can barely make him out through the still dim dawn and the sideways snow.

Then there are the bicycle couriers, one just walked in covered in snow, tugging at a face mask, brushing himself off. These are Vikings, the Norsemen of today. I had ambitions to be one once…bicycle courier that is. Fortunately I lived on an acreage at the time.

Technorati Tags: Blizzards, Homelessness, Bicycle couriers