by CHRIS BARRY

Name: Deborah Gunn

Age: 46

Occupation: Community worker

Bio: This beautiful spirit of a woman, born, raised and still living in the Pointe, was first introduced to community do-gooders Share the Warmth Foundation (www.sharethewarmthfoundation.org) via a welfare training program eight years ago. Most of the preceding decade saw Deborah living the high life as a welfare case, struggling to support her five small children after finally fleeing a bad marital scene with her alkie husband. "There was so much verbal abuse. You get it drilled into your head that you're stupid, you can't do anything, that nobody will want you, you're too ugly, too fat - it really did a number on me, took away all my confidence." Now as jovial as one can ever hope to be, she is gainfully employed at STW and "extremely proud" that all of her children have grown up to be happy, solid citizens. "You know, when I came here I didn't know nothing, just housework. But now I'm doing computers, phones…"

Her work nickname: The Cryer. "I'm always crying, this place is so magical. When we bring supplies to schools and I see the kids' faces, how happy and excited they are, I cry. I cry at Christmas when Santa comes here. There's always something here that makes me cry, I'm extremely emotional. "

Would she recommend welfare as a viable lifestyle option? "Are you serious?! It was so hard. And me, I didn't even know about places like STW then. It was only when I needed a white shirt for my son to go to school in and couldn't afford to buy one that my neighbour told me about places like this that might help me."

Back while trying to raise five crying, constantly hungry kids on social assistance, did she ever consider that life might be somewhat easier if she simply tried to flush a couple of the smaller ones down the toilet? Not very often.

Where STW will soon be located: The historic Grace Church on Wellington - assuming they can raise the 300K needed to fix up the joint.

How much of their funding comes from government: None, no Centraide, no nothing. "Could you please, please tell people to try and donate? And maybe please mention that we always need volunteers? And that we really need school supplies for the children right now? Will you? It's so important."

One way they pick up a few dollars: Through their on-site second-hand clothing store.

A few used clothing items they regularly receive but don't want all that much: Underwear lined with shit streaks, menstrual blood, gonorrhea discharge or semen stains. Socks that smell are also not especially appreciated. "One time we received a bag of clothes with a rat trap in it - and it was set to go off too. Who would do something like that? Oh boy, did I jump."

Something she loves to do: Sing at local karaoke bars for beer.

Musical preferences: Motown.

Last book read: Daddy's Little Girl, by Mary Higgins Clark.

Words of wisdom: "Take it one day at a time, keep smiling, and keep laughing."

Comments? dimwit@openface.ca