Curbside Philosophy Project

"It's tough out there."

Yeah, but how much do you really know about what people are going through on the streets? How much of it is stigma recycled from political talking points?

In The Curbside Philosophy, I'll help people in Edmonton and beyond find those answers. This is a public education project by me and my Mom, Angela Staines, the founder of 4B Harm Reduction Society, and Drug Data Decoded.

I was unhoused for ten years. With my feet now under me for the first time in as long, I’ll bring you The Curbside Philosophy — people’s stories from the streets — with the understanding and care that comes most easily to people who have lived it. Our unhoused community — my family — is dying. While Alberta's government continues prioritizing profits over people, my family is being criminalized, marginalized and dehumanized.

The Curbside Philosophy is a grassroots movement, combining anonymous interviews, outreach footage from the streets of Edmonton and the desperately needed perspective of Edmonton's most overlooked.

My heart is breaking, and I want to show you why. You'll be able to watch The Curbside Philosophy across social media: Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube.

I plan to use the donated money to purchase some video and photography gear, as well as editing programs to make the best content possible. I also need funding to ensure Honouriams can be given to people who share their time and story with me. Often, people are not compensated for sharing their experiences and this is another example of how marginalized people are exploited. I want my project to be different and I need funding to help ensure it is. Your donations will help me run this project in a safe, ethical and professional way.

I want you to understand what life is like for Edmonton's unhoused community. I want you to understand why people use drugs. I want to help break the stigma surrounding the people our cities have left behind.