Dear Editor:
After reading the article "Voice against Head Start Homes" that appeared in the September 12th edition of Yorkton This Week, I felt deeply saddened that in to-days day and age people of different "socio-economic" back grounds are still the target of prejudice. I am one of the people who would not only qualify but would enjoy having a head start home. As for my standing in the "socio-economics" of the Yorkton community, I am a mother of a wonderful two year old boy, I am gainfully employed, at one of the largest employers in town, I pay my taxes, I have never been the recipient of a social program, or social benefit I was not entitled to, I volunteer, and I don't have a criminal record, nor have I ever been the subject of any type of criminal actives or violated any city bi laws. I've never even received a traffic violation.
I operate on a single income, I am the sole supporter of my son, as a single parent. I have been unable to find affordable housing in this community since my son was born as I don't currently qualify for low income housing and honestly the rent is very high for me in the community. Currently I reside with family as renting has not been an option for me due to low vacancy rates, high rent and sometimes poor conditions of rentals.
I feel as if head start homes are an excellent option for myself and my son to have a home of our own that no one can take away from us with high rent, poor conditions or unfit conditions. When someone stands against this and says "They had concerns over the impact the development could have on already full area school enrollments, and on the impact homes built through the government program could have on adjacent property values. " This is a slap to the face to myself and other working families who just need a little extra help to become home owners. So our "socioeconomic" will sully your neighborhood? Ridiculous.
Further more the statement "If you mix people of different socio-economic status you can have problems in school" is the most ignorant statement I feel I have heard in a long time. I believe people had similar opinions on when the school system was segregated by colour. I figured in 2012 we as a society were past this ignorance. Apparently we are not. For shame.
Amber Chepil
Yorkton, Sask.
