our philosophy...

Everyone knows why so few services are available to street level sex workers in Surrey.  The sex workers we meet on a daily or weekly basis know why so few services are available.  It is the whole notion of enabling.  The belief that by offering services to this community, we are removing their desire to rise above their current social status.  It is the appallingly common belief that these human beings are disposable - that our community is better off without them.

What many people don't realize is that these are some of the most integral members of our community.  These women and men have so much to offer but little, if any, opportunity to contribute.  The lessons we learn from the most marginalized members of our communities are the lessons that work to create better societies.  They are the lessons that teach us to be educated, understanding, socially-conscious human beings. 

Make no mistake about it, these men and women are experts the only way anyone can be an expert -  through experience.  If we are to truly achieve safe streets and a strong legacy for our children, these are the people we need to engage.  These are the people we need to exemplify.

By including and involving the most marginalized members of our communities (and they ARE members of our communities), we will not only learn valuable lessons and create sustainable solutions, but in return for their contributions we will demonstrate our gratitude for their willingness to educate us.  We will show that we value their contributions in our communities.

What people don't seem to understand is that for anyone to feel empowered enough to improve the conditions of his or her own life, we need to, as a society, remove the shame and stigma (and the resulting barriers) that work to disempower and isolate our most marginalized citizens.

We need to value and validate the experiences of our sisters and brothers on the street.  They are some of the most amazing people on our earth.  How much are we losing as a society by ignoring and marginalizing them?  I shiver to imagine.

The Naked Truth / Free Spirit Media / info@freespiritmedia.com