Leonard Graham Crawford believes that music has the power to unite people, emphasizing the importance of making it accessible to all. A former resident of Thunder Bay, Ontario who experienced homelessness for nine years, Crawford has been receiving assistance from Grace Place, an organization providing free meals, clothing, and shelter services on the city’s south side since losing his home in 2010.
During a recent lunchtime at Grace Place, clients were treated to a complimentary piano performance by Mike Boguski, the keyboardist of the renowned Canadian rock band Blue Rodeo. Crawford expressed how the music provided a soothing and unifying experience, allowing individuals to momentarily escape from life’s challenges.
Grace Place serves approximately 300 meals daily, with their Out of the Cold initiative offering 25 emergency beds for those in need during the winter season. Gary Macsemchuk, a pastor at Grace Place, highlighted the growing demand for support due to the escalating cost of living expenses.
As part of his unique “tour within a tour” concept, Boguski has been visiting communities across the province during Blue Rodeo’s tour to perform free solo shows for local shelters, food banks, and outreach centers. He believes that music should be accessible to everyone, regardless of financial constraints.
Melody Macsemchuk, the operations manager at Grace Place, welcomed Boguski’s performance enthusiastically, recognizing the positive impact it had on their clients. Robert Esquega, a member of the Red Rock Indian Band and a regular at Grace Place, expressed his enjoyment of the piano music, finding it uplifting and energetic.
Aside from the musical experience, Thunder Bay’s Homeless and Addiction Recovery Treatment (HART) Hub offered a free vaccination clinic on-site, emphasizing the importance of health services for vulnerable populations. As winter approaches, Grace Place is appealing for donations of warm clothing items like jackets and socks to support those in need.
The organization also accepts monetary contributions and grocery donations to aid their clients directly or incorporate into meal programs. Melody emphasized the collaborative effort among shelters in Thunder Bay to ensure that individuals do not have to face the harsh winter conditions alone, underscoring the community’s commitment to supporting those in need.