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THANK YOU for Sharing Hope with Neighbours Facing Homelessness!

By May 30th, 2024No Comments

David felt alone. First, he lost his girlfriend, then a dear friend to cancer, next his apartment. At 69, overwhelmed and facing homelessness, suicide seemed the only solution. Thankfully, he wasn’t alone. His extended family found him, helped him move out and put his possessions in storage, and helped him find Scott Mission’s Shelter—a place where he now finds safe refuge.

David’s story is not uncommon—after years of working in customer service he retired and lived on a fixed income. He sought treatment for his clinical depression but had trouble with certain administrative tasks like keeping up with mail, taxes, and anxiety talking on the phone. After missing a few payments, he fell behind on rent and couldn’t make up the difference. He was told he’d have to leave his apartment.

Those living on a fixed income, like seniors and those living with mental illness or disability, are at great risk of homelessness as the cost of living increases dramatically without much change in their available income. David had no space available in his budget for errors and was not able to recover. Scott Mission staff are working with David to find an apartment, but it is a real challenge. The housing crisis has made it nearly impossible for David to find affordable housing. He told us “I thought I could find a bachelor apartment for $1000, but I was wrong, they are hundreds more.”

David is desperate for an apartment so he can be reunited with his cat, who is currently staying with family. In the meantime, he has made contacts at the Shelter, talking to staff and other residents. He also benefits from the security of the 24/7 model the Shelter moved to in 2021. He’s able to connect with family and friends and know he has a safe place to return.

“It’s a fine line between homeless and hopeless. Although I’m technically homeless, you know when I’m out and getting ready to come back here, I say I’m going home,” David reflects as he thinks about his current situation. He dreams of a future apartment but still thinks about the many people in danger of becoming homeless, “how many hundreds is that? Where are they going to go?”

“I’ll tell you one thing that’s right off the top of my head: thank God for Scott Mission. If I weren’t here, I don’t know where I would be.” Your support provides the wraparound supports needed to help with healing and meeting future goals. Services like our Case Management team, who help clients access health, legal, housing, and other supports, or our Counselling program, helping clients with recovery and mental health, are fully dependent on the support of donors. Thank you for your help in providing David safe refuge.

Please support the important emergency services and life-transforming programs at Scott Mission today and help neighbours who are facing hunger and homelessness. Thank you for your compassion and generosity!