‘You are not alone’: retired social worker promises to listen during cross-Canada trek

In a polarized and divided world, where many may feel lonely and isolated, Paul Jenkinson has a message: “You are not alone. I will listen.”

That’s what it says on a sign the 71-year-old retired social worker plunked down beside a table and two chairs he set up at the entrance to The Forks market on a warm fall day last week.

“My goal is to simply listen,” said Jenkinson, a divorced father of two and grandfather of six who is on a cross-country journey that started in his home province of Nova Scotia in May and is set to conclude in B.C. in November.

He came up with the idea for the trip as the country began to emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic.

“After COVID, I realized people were having a hard time reconnecting,” he said. “They were isolated and lonely and had trouble re-entering life socially.”

He said living in a digital culture where people spend so much time online doesn’t help.

“I watch people in public, walking and looking down at their phones, oblivious to any other humans around them,” he said, adding the polarization in society makes people wary of sharing their thoughts with others.

Jenkinson realized his 45 years of experience as a social worker gave him the skills to be helpful. After a year of planning, he hopped in his vehicle prepared to make connections.

One day last week, three people stopped by in an hour to chat.

One was Caleb, a refugee from Ethiopia who shared about his experience of being a newcomer to Canada. “He was a good listener,” he said.

For Maverick, it was a chance to “vent a bit … it was nice to have someone who was willing to listen. It was meaningful for me.”

Russ stopped by on his lunch break for a conversation, praising Jenkinson for giving people a chance to talk about their lives.

After each person shares, Jenkinson asks if he can respond and tell them about his life.

“I’m not offering counsel, just a conversation,” he said. “I just want to be there for people. I want to remind them they aren’t alone.”

Jenkinson estimates he’s had about 600 conversations so far in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, Ontario and, now, Manitoba. That includes setting up in Morden, Winkler and Altona, in addition to Winnipeg.

“I set up wherever there is a good flow of people,” he said, noting his goal is to be visible but not intrusive.

He’s heard some horrible stories. “Some people have very tough lives,” he said.

Jenkinson is no stranger to heartache — a daughter died in 2007 in a motorcycle accident.

“I sit with many people who have suffered a tragedy, who think they will never get over it,” he said, adding he shares thoughts about his own journey with grief.

There are also amazing stories of positivity.

“It reminds me of the goodness in people.”

Although he is a person of faith — he describes himself as a Jesus follower in the Anabaptist-Mennonite tradition, with a mix of Buddhism and Daoism — Jenkinson doesn’t bring up religion in the conversations.

“I’m not doing it for religious reasons. There’s no bait and switch. If faith comes up, I will talk about it. I’m not trying to share my beliefs.”

If there is any religious foundation to his project, it’s what Christians call the Golden Rule, or treating others the way you want to be treated. He also believes providing space for people to talk is important for the future of the country.

“At a time when people are divided, democracy is at risk,” he said. “If we can’t talk to one another because of different political opinions, and listen to each other respectfully, life in Canada can become awfully cold.”

In that respect, he views his journey as “an act of resistance, proclaiming you are not my enemy, breaking down walls.”

Although Jenkinson has heard many moving stories, he isn’t planning to write about the experience.

“There’s no book at the end of it,” he said. I view the journey like a sand mandala. I’ll sweep it up at the end when I’m finished.”

After arriving in B.C. in November, Jenkinson plans to keep listening by setting up indoors at malls, universities and long-term care homes for seniors. Next spring, he plans to cross the country again, this time from west to east.

Jenkinson goes wherever he is invited, asking only for free accommodation and one meal a day. So far, he’s only had to stay at hotels a few times. He’s paying for the trek with pension money but has a GoFundMe for those who wish to contribute.

He expects to stay in Manitoba for another week or so, working out of his base at Canadian Mennonite University, where he has spoken to students and to social work classes. Then, it’s off to Swift Current, Sask.

“I love doing this,” he said. “I just want to be there for people.”

Jenkinson’s journey can be followed on Facebook with photos of people he’s met along the way at wfp.to/listen.

faith@freepress.mb.ca

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