K. Debra Curlew, aged about 67 years, sat in the shade of her supplied tent, shielded from the blazing afternoon sun, when I approached her in the Bowmanville Walmart parking lot in Clarington.
Her three cats – Gizz, Putters and Precious – stayed hidden in their carrier, but her faithful Blue bounded out from behind the shade of the tent to defend his mistress with ferocious barks.
He quietened down when Debra bade him and was friendly from then on.
Debra was sitting on a folding chair sipping her coffee, besides the two tents donated to her by the community. While I was there at least five people turned up during the hottest hours of yesterday, to help her with food, water, a battery-powered fan, a large bag of cat food, garbage bags, and an offer to sleep and wash-up in a building in downtown Bowmanville.
Debra, a homeless, had been living in a U-Haul when on Sunday, a company official came, escorted by police. She was made to empty the vehicle of her belongings.
“The truck’s battery had died and I had no gas. I phoned U-Haul to send someone over to start it so I could take it back. But they came in three cars with police. The woman officer was very nice, but as the vehicle was reported stolen, they had to take it in to the impound,” Debra recounted to Durham Post.
Outpouring of Support
As she was left with her three cats and Blue, someone put up her picture on social media. There was instant outpouring of support from the community, to make sure she and her pets were comfortable.
“People kept coming over till late night to offer me stuff. One bought a tent and a tarp from Walmart, another bought me burgers from McDonald’s and water, then another person gave me another tent,” said Debra.
“People and the community have been wonderful and have helped a lot,” said Debra, who said she is now looking for help from authorities to help her find a place to rent. She receives old age pension, and her mid-40s son, who suffers from seizures, is on disability support.
It’s Very Hard
“I’ve tried to get a home, but it’s very hard. I and my son have been trying with no luck. There are so many empty and abandoned homes. There’s one on Concession Road 6 and Liberty Street [in Bowmanville] that I like. I could rent it and we’ll fix it up. But I do not know who the owner is. I have tried to get supportive housing, but the list is long.” said Debra.
Debra is hopeful, but her optimism is based on support provided and promised by individuals, not officials or institutions.
“One person is trying to get me a RV or a trailer, and another is trying to fix a place to live,” said Debra.
But, though she sincerely appreciates the help, the proud 67-year old would prefer to offer a modest rent to be able to live on her own, independently.
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