Chasing Affection
Hilary Marks
Listen to Hilary's podcast by clicking on any of these platforms
Hilary grew up in your typical-looking Jewish family, but it was far from typical. Unable to go on any further, she finally turned to the streets to fill her voids. In this podcast, Hilary shares what life was really like as a woman out on the streets. She is brutally honest with the physical and emotional stresses that encompassed her everyday life. And finally, after 12 long years, Hilary finally unearthed the truth that gave her the strength to leave the streets for good. Hilary joined us from the Speakers Bureau of the Greater Victoria Coalition to End Homelessness where she works as a Peer Supporter.
To engage the voices of people with lived experience of homelessness like Hilary visit http://victoriahomelessness.ca/speakers-bureau.
To learn more about Anawim House visit https://www.anawimhouse.com.
Participant Reflections
Chasing Affection
Hilary Marks
Each workshop produces a creative participant reflection – a personal take away from the story they just heard – that is voluntarily shared with the wider community.
We believe that personal narratives have the power to connect individuals across socioeconomic boundaries, and that the rich creative ability of our community is the most effective tool we can wield against the stigma that prevents necessary social change.
Featured Artist
Chasing Affection
Hilary Marks
Vanessa Dawn
“I’ve been struggling with mental health for the last couple of years and I feel overwhelmed easily. I have a tendency to want to hide inside of myself and often I feel like I won’t be able to handle thinking about other peoples problems on top of my own. Listening to Hilaries’ story and then processing it with members of Anawim house and the community helped me feel connected rather than anxious”
Featured Student
Chasing Affection
Hilary Marks
Rachel Barton-Bridges
4th year, Sociology Major, University of Victoria
“Sharing our stories–and, more often, listening to the stories of our community members–gives us a tremendously powerful sense of ourselves, our connectedness, and our humanity. These narratives inspire a profound level of self-reflection that, in turn, inspire change. These stories remind us to find strength in our vulnerabilities, to confront our personal experiences and challenges, and to pursue authenticity through honesty and openness about our pasts, even when it’s uncomfortable. More importantly, sharing our personal experiences, our challenges and triumphs, reminds us that we have more in common that brings us together than that sets us apart. Through this understanding communities can be connected, empowered, and engaged.”