Explain in 250 words or less why this volunteer deserves to be honoured with a VOscar in the category they have been entered in.
Since age 16 David has been working to eliminate poverty. Visiting a Cree reserve in Quebec left a permanent effect on the conditions that the poorest Canadians experience. Looking to make a difference in his local community David, began committing his time to the homeless on the both the streets or in the shelters. David views friendship as the first step because poverty isn’t just a financial issue; it is going unnoticed, unloved, uncared for and alone and regardless of their situation deserve respect.

David has since founded the not-for-profit Castlestone. Stone-by-stone is the motto. Just as a castle is built one stone at a time, poverty will be eliminated one individual at a time, one city at a time. Castlestone is ambitious and their goal is the elimination of poverty. At any time, Castlestone, has a few dozen volunteers, 6 administrators and a handful of projects on the go.

One way Castlestone engages is by overcoming stereotypes of the poor. Once a week Castlestone assembles an outreach group that hands out pizza to the homeless as an icebreaker for conversation. Castlestone encourages others to do the same. Additionally, Integritas is a public presentation series raising the issues of homelessness and hosting workshops for solutions. Also being developed is a “street newspaper” called The Wrench. It will be a newsprint magazine made with the help of the homeless. This project hopes to provide them with work and volunteer experience, as well as the confidence that comes from their voices being heard.