The Multi-Agency Accommodation Project (MAAP), that involves Habitat For Humanity Boundary, the Boundary Emergency and Transition Housing Society (BETHS) and Whispers of Hope, has been the cause of controversy.
The project will see the three groups setting up at the old vet building at 7212 Riverside Drive – BETHS will offer transition housing and Whispers of Hope will run its soup kitchen and thrift shop out of the location, and Habitat For Humanity Boundary will build a building goods store next to the building.
There will be shared office space as well.
Some people that live in the area of the MAAP building have expressed concern that the project may attract drug users and criminals and to provide information, answer questions and possibly alleviate concerns, a session will be held at the 7212 Riverside Drive building at 7 p.m. on Thursday, June 27.
MAAP has been a polarizing topic for people in Grand Forks. Social service advocates are staunchly for it, as it will unite the three organizations (which are similar in scope) and provide help for the less fortunate and the residents are against, for the aforementioned reasons – all legitimate.
Because of this, there is the potential for things to get heated on June 27 but people should take a page from attendees of an Interior Health (IH) meeting in May of 2012.
Many people had grievances against IH for a number of reasons and many were angry that an earlier scheduled meeting was put off.
However, while there was emotion, and while people expressed their anger, it was done in a constructive way.
People didn’t show up with pitchforks, burning effigies of IH officials but they did submit questions and did express anger at times.
However, it was healthy anger and the meeting was civil.
The same approach should be taken for the June 27 meeting as well.
People for and against MAAP shouldn’t be afraid to voice their opinions but be civil.
Just because someone has a differing opinion than you, there isn’t justification for hurling names or trying to pick a fight.
Let everyone have their say and respect opinions.
Helping those in need is noble and so are concerns about increased crime in neighbourhoods.
People who are attending should keep a level head.
– Grand Forks Gazette