In this episode, Kevin and I talk about a young mom, her three-year-old, and the support dog that helped keep her child calm while finding temporary shelter in a hotel room.

When Income Support cut them off and they ended up outside, I had to do something I’ve never done in over 35 years of advocacy, I called Children’s Services to report a child in danger. I explain what led up to that moment, how the system failed them, and what happened next. It’s not a simple story, but it’s one we need to talk about.

Please donate to support my work, and find all of my links at MarkCherrington.ca

In this episode, I talk about a single mom in Calgary who recently reached out after her fridge caught fire. She’s raising five kids on her own, including a newborn, and lost everything in the freezer,about $300 worth of food and all her frozen breast milk.

I’ve known her since she was a little girl, and once again, she had no one else to turn to. I share how long it took for her to get help, how I stepped in, and what this situation says about the support systems people think are there, but often aren’t.

Please donate to support my work and find all of my other links at MarkCherrington.ca

Over the years, I’ve seen how unpredictable Children’s Services can be—sometimes they step in and change lives, and other times, they refuse to open files, leaving kids to struggle alone. But recently, I’ve noticed something different. In this episode, I talk about cases where Children’s Services has actually stepped up, making a real difference for kids who had nowhere else to turn.

I share the story of a 15-year-old girl who lost her mother in a tragic accident and was left trying to survive on her own, juggling school and two full-time jobs. I also talk about a boy whose father locked him in a truck, convinced they could live that way. In both cases, Children’s Services did something they don’t always do: they listened, they opened files, and they provided the support these kids desperately needed.

But support doesn’t just come from the system—it comes from people. I talk about the power of community and how a simple ask on social media led to baby formula, a car seat, and real relief for a struggling mother. I also break down why reporting child abuse is so important, how the process actually works, and why confidentiality is fully protected.

This episode is about what happens when the right people take action. It’s about the difference between survival and stability for vulnerable kids. And it’s about how small interventions—whether from the system or from everyday people—can change lives in ways we don’t always see. If you care about real stories and the realities of child welfare, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

If you want to make a difference, listen in, share this episode, and consider how you can help.

👉 Please subscribe for more updates on the work I do in the community.

💬 Let me know your thoughts in the comments on YouTube, subscribe to my newsletter and reply to it, or send me a comment on Social Media. What stood out to you?

👍 Like & share to spread awareness!

#ChildWelfare #Advocacy #SupportKids #CommunityMatters #podcast

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Kevin's home business: https://kevinthetechguy.ca

In this episode, Kevin and I discuss the Edmonton Public Spaces bylaw. This bylaw isn’t just another policy change, it directly affects the people I work with every day. In this episode, I sit down with Kevin, one of my volunteers and my co-host, to break down what these new rules mean for the most vulnerable people I help in Edmonton.

We get into:

🔹 Fines for drug use and panhandling – The city is lowering them, but I’ve seen firsthand how fines don’t solve anything. If people had the money to pay, they wouldn’t be panhandling in the first place.

🔹 Sleeping outdoors – The city wants to keep banning it, but shelters are full or unsafe. Where are people supposed to go?

🔹 Businesses vs. the vulnerable – I understand why business owners are frustrated, but I also know that pushing people out of sight doesn’t make the problem go away. It just makes life harder for those already struggling.

🔹 Law enforcement’s role – I’ve seen how these bylaws get enforced, and it’s not always about education first, like they claim. Who really benefits from these changes?

Kevin and I have both seen what happens when policy decisions don’t include the voices of the people most affected. We’re breaking it all down and sharing what I’ve learned from 35 years of doing this work.

What do you think? Is this bylaw actually helping anyone, or is it just another way to push vulnerable people out of public spaces and out of our sight? Let me know in the comments.

00:00 Introduction and Greetings

00:38 Discussion on New Public Spaces Bylaw

03:15 Homelessness and Shelter Issues

06:14 Critique of Current Approaches

12:09 Proposed Solutions and Final Thoughts

19:30 Conclusion and Call to Action

#Edmonton #PublicSpacesBylaw #Homelessness #StreetOutreach #yeg

Please donate to support my work: https://www.coalition4jhr.org/contrib...

All of my links: https://markcherrington.ca

Kevin's home business: https://kevinthetechguy.ca

NOTE: When this episode was first published, the wrong audio file was uploaded. This is now the correct audio file. We sincerely apologize for the mistake.

In this heartfelt episode, Mark discusses his extensive work with a vulnerable Indigenous family facing severe mental health challenges, particularly focusing on a young woman suffering from schizophrenia.

Mark highlights the crucial inadequacies within the mental health support system in Alberta, Canada. Despite constant hospitalizations, the young woman is repeatedly discharged back to her family, who are unable to provide the necessary care and support.

Mark demands that Alberta Mental Health and Addictions Minister Dan Williams takes immediate action to address the systemic failures that leave the most vulnerable without proper care, and this woman in particular.

This episode serves as a powerful reminder of the urgent need for comprehensive mental health resources and support.

00:00 Introduction and Greetings

00:05 Mark's Advocacy and Online Presence

00:41 Introducing the Topic: Mental Health Crisis

00:54 Case Study: Indigenous Family's Struggle

01:29 Systemic Failures in Mental Health Support

02:11 The Ping Pong Effect: Hospital to Home

04:18 A Call to Action: Addressing the Crisis

05:35 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Support my work: https://www.coalition4jhr.org/contribute-to-our-work

All of my links: https://markcherrington.ca

Kevin's home business: https://kevinthetechguy.ca

In this episode, Kevin and Mark delve into the controversial proposal by the Alberta government to spend $180 million over three years on 'Compassionate Intervention Centres,' which they argue are essentially jails for people struggling with addiction.

Our discussion addresses the inefficiency of forced treatment, the overcrowded state of existing voluntary programs, and the potential human rights implications.

We also touch upon the sudden closure of essential support programs and the need for better investment in current infrastructure.

This is an in-depth conversation about the complexities of addiction treatment and government intervention policies.

00:00 Introduction and Podcast Overview

00:59 Compassionate Intervention Centres: A Critical Look

03:00 Challenges in the Current Treatment System

05:17 Forced Treatment: Ethical and Legal Concerns

07:45 Comparisons with Other Countries

08:14 Potential Misuse and Broader Implications

10:58 Closure of Support Programs

15:29 Call to Action and Conclusion

Support my work: https://www.coalition4jhr.org/contribute-to-our-work

All of my links: https://markcherrington.ca

Kevin's home business: https://kevinthetechguy.ca

In this episode, I talk about a young mother who reached out for help after being trapped in a cycle of financial abuse and exploitation. Despite the clear evidence of her situation, income support refused to assist her because the money her trafficker ran through her account was classified as "income." This policy doesn’t just fail her—it actively enables the person exploiting her to continue.

I helped her connect with CEASE, an organization that supports those who have been sexually exploited, but still refuses to acknowledge the reality of her situation. She wants out, but without financial support, she’s left with no real options.

The government has the power to fix this—by recognizing that not all bank deposits are actual income and by prioritizing real support over rigid policies. Instead, they’re choosing to ignore it.

If we actually want to fight exploitation, we need to give people the means to escape it. This episode breaks down how the system works against vulnerable people and what needs to change.

Watch, listen, and let’s push for solutions that actually help.

#Exploitation #IncomeSupport #socialjustice

Please support my work: https://www.coalition4jhr.org/contrib...

All of my links: https://markcherrington.ca

Here's a pre-show clip from our latest recording of my podcast. I think it's important to provide this transparent insight into our thought process of what we want to do with the podcast going forward, with your input, and hopefully to resonate more with people.

We’re trying something different. After a lot of thought, we’re shifting the way we share these stories. Instead of packing everything into one long episode, we’re breaking things up—shorter, a more focused conversation in each roughly 15-20 minute episode. That should make it easier to follow and, more importantly, easier to act on.

Kevin has created and posted many clips and shorts, so basically we'll keep doing that instead of packing them into longer episodes.

Kevin and I talk through this change—why we’re doing it, what we’ve learned from past episodes, and how to keep making an impact without losing sight of the people who need help the most. We're both very passionate about this podcast.

We also get into the challenge of asking for donations in a way that feels right—because the need for what I do never stops, but no one wants to feel like they’re just being hit up for money all the time.

Please let me know what you think of the new format! You can have your say in the comments, send me an email, reach out on Social Media, or reply to my newsletter.

Support my work: https://www.coalition4jhr.org/contrib...

All of my links: https://markcherrington.ca

Kevin's home business: https://kevinthetechguy.ca

In episode 5, Mark Cherrington opens up about his work supporting families navigating challenges with children's services. Drawing on over 35 years of experience, Mark shares his "three golden rules"—respect, trust, and a non-judgmental approach.

He brings these principles to life with real-world examples of advocacy, shedding light on the emotional toll and the bureaucratic hurdles families face.

Mark also examines systemic inefficiencies, the struggle to access resources, and the importance of fair court representation. Throughout the conversation, he highlights how compassionate, personalized support can truly make a difference for families in difficult situations.

If you'd like to listen to the extended version of this episode, please support Mark on Patreon.

00:00 Introduction to his Three Golden Rules

01:58 Advocate for Families

02:21 Challenges with Children's Services

04:19 Podcast expectations

08:05 Systematic Challenges and Bureaucratic Roadblocks

25:21 Emotional Impact on Families

32:51 Advocacy and Humanizing the Process

43:30 Praising Child Welfare Workers

46:45 Challenges in Accessing Support and Resources

47:26 Integrating Children's Services

53:33 Advocacy in Court

01:04:28 Common Misunderstandings About Children's Services

01:24:09 Final Thoughts and Reflections

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This is episode 4 of my podcast. An extended version is exclusively available to my Patreon supporters. I sit down with Kevin to discuss the harsh realities that vulnerable families and single parents face as they navigate broken Social Services and Income Support systems.

I share firsthand stories about the desperate measures vulnerable people are forced to take just to survive—like pawning their personal belongings—and expose the systemic gaps that lead to financial instability and lack of proper support.

We talk about the struggles of those dealing with inter-generational trauma, escaping abusive relationships, and the inefficiencies in our current welfare systems.

We also explore some innovative solutions for handling non-violent offenders, ways to strengthen Child Welfare services, and why community support and donations are so essential.

Join us for an eye-opening discussion, during which we advocate for compassionate reforms and call for collective action to improve people’s lives.

In this episode, we answer these questions:

1. How did an Indigenous mom’s experience with intergenerational trauma and child welfare impact her ability to parent her children?

2. What desperate measures did a single mom take after income support cut her off, and how did it affect her and her child?

3. How did a temporary guardianship order complicate one mother’s ability to stay involved in her children's lives?

4. How does Mark work directly with vulnerable families to ensure they get the support they need from social services?

5. What common gaps in the system force families to pawn their belongings or face homelessness while awaiting help?

Chapters:

00:00 The Struggles of Single Parents and Pawn Shops

01:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Episode Overview

02:10 Challenges Faced by Indigenous Mothers

10:12 Income Support Issues and Exploitation

23:13 Rethinking Remand Centers for Non-Violent Offenders

32:27 Efforts to Help the Homeless and Vulnerable

42:14 Government's Underwhelming Investment in Children's Services

43:31 Personal Experiences with the System

46:41 Challenges Faced by Homeless and Vulnerable Populations

54:18 Monthly Stats and Personal Stories

57:24 Issues with Emergency Social Services

01:05:43 Child Welfare Cases and Systemic Issues

01:11:02 The Importance of Donations and Community Support

01:15:38 Conclusion and Call to Action

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All of my links can be found here