ACF YEAR-END REVIEW: A PEEK IN THE REAR VIEW MIRROR, ON THE WAY TO 2009

Year-end review and good wishes:
A peek in the rear view mirror, on the way to 2009...
by Charles Pascal

From our perspective, 2008 has witnessed some progress in our collective quest for more just prospects for those who are disadvantaged through no fault of their own.

Importantly, a large and dedicated group of anti-poverty activists, some of whom have been at it for more than three decades, came together to influence the Ontario's poverty reduction strategy.   
 
The strategy, released just a couple of weeks ago, offers some hope and tangible progress. 
 
But there is one very significant outcome of the grassroots’ work over the past year that won’t be found in the government's final report. 
 
And that is the power of acting together.
 
For too long and for too many reasons, efforts by individuals and organizations to advance an anti-poverty strategy had been fragmented. 

 But with the opportunity presented by government to move ahead, the grassroots sector looked at itself and chose to undergo a transformation from a collection of "lone rangers" into a coherent movement acting together for poverty reduction. 
 
This opportunity has brought together a few foundations as well.  We are proud, for example, to partner with, and learn from, the Metcalf Foundation in this regard.
 
The emergence of a more purposeful and more coherent movement bodes well for the kind of push that will be required to bring progress to fruition.  To quote the 25 in 5 Network following the provincial strategy's release, "we have the foundation, now the real work begins."
 
You will note in this e-bulletin news from the Workers' Action Centre regarding its work on supporting the dignity and rights of heretofore exploited workers.  Their hard work has culminated in the promise of key temp worker legislation by the provincial government.  This is a remarkable achievement and we salute the determined grassroots leadership and organizing skills of our colleagues at the Centre.
 
This success story also speaks to the success of foundations thinking for the long-haul and investing in the Centre's work over a number of years.  In this case, a handful of foundations, under the coordinating leadership of the Maytree Foundation, understanding the need to be impatient about injustice but very patient regarding the time it takes to make real change.
 
And there was much more happening at our foundation in 2008.  From the Atkinson's perspective, progress on the Canadian Index of Wellbeing, early learning, and the work of our current and past Economic Justice Fellows--Armine Yalnizyan, Roy Romanow, Cathy Crowe, and Uzma Shakir---is a "gift" to all that keeps on giving.
 
Regarding our founder, Joseph E. Atkinson--and the justice crusade he began in 1899---we published a brand new book, entitled "Big Ideas: The Social Crusades of Joseph E. Atkinson," that we are very pleased to share with you online.  It is a compilation of his editorial thoughts that still guide us, push us, to be more effective and strategic in supporting the remarkable work of our partners.  It is a fitting complement to the documentary "Fighting Words: The Social Crusades of Joseph E. Atkinson," which we helped launch in 2006.
 
In 2009, very challenging economic circumstances will present a major challenge to us all in the struggle for progress on social justice.  It is natural for the toughest of times to create a Darwinian "everyone for themselves" kind of world. 
 
But let's hope that the notion of "movement," so well exemplified by our poverty reduction colleagues in 2008, prevails going forward.  We must constantly strive for a whole larger than our own narrow organizational wants and needs. 
 
In a forced-choice environment, we need to collectively do fewer things better rather than all things less well.
 
If this is possible, we might even be able to turn this very intense economic crisis into an opportunity to move forward rather than splinter apart.  We need to put all of our respective assets on the table and plot and act together. 
 
On behalf of our president, Peter A. Armstrong, and our dedicated board and my staff colleagues, we wish you and all those you love and care for a renewing holiday season and our very best for a happy, healthy, and prosperous 2009.
 
Charles E. Pascal       
Executive Director