The cardboard sign made by the senior citizen resident is tough to read..but after an incredibly challenging year of the pandemic, it's exactly how the nearly 300 elderly residents of the Willowdale Manor are feeling as they heard only weeks ago that the city plans to remove their front-lawn and treed green space to put in modular housing for the homeless. The majority in our community recognize how important it is to house the homeless, but ask 'Why has the city chosen this particular site at the expense and well-being of another vulnerable group of individuals - hundreds of frail seniors - that are already living on the same lot?' On Sunday March 21, the seniors requested our help in sharing their voices. We expected maybe 10-12 residents but almost 80 came outside many aided by their walkers and canes and with shopping carts full of handmade cardboard signs! Several hundred residents had also taken great effort to sign a paper-based petition but unfortunately that fell on deaf-city ears. Coming outside on to their front lawn and doing a silent protest, was the only way that they could share their voice. Many more Willowdale Manor residents were stuck inside due to physical disabilities and of course due to worry about the pandemic...but they still contributed by putting up signs up in their small windows. Many of them in their 70s, 80s and even 90s...suffering from their own health conditions, couldn't believe that no one from the city cared to hear their concerns. They had tried, only to be shooed away like flies. Members of the community were willing to listen and the seniors asked that we share their stories widely. Please watch and share their videos here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjKlhrIAI9xpe0rLLKJU6Ug