Stories of Change

Barbara

Yonge Street Mission took me out of being lonely. I was at home, the kids were at school, and I was depressed at being on assistance with nothing to do. Then the cook at Yonge Street Mission’s community centre suggested I volunteer. As I helped prepare meals for the seniors’ program…

Breshna

As an isolated young mother and new immigrant, Breshna was afraid to leave her apartment – until she came to the Christmas Toy Market. She has never looked back…

Fionna

Fionna was new to Canada and very shy. Volunteering on the St. James Town Youth Council, helped her discover how to learn, how to grow and how to give back.

Joan

I don’t know what I would have done without Yonge Street Mission. Whenever I was feeling down I would pick up the phone, call the Mission and ask how I could help. I first heard of YSM in 1954. It was Christmas. I was 19 and alone in one room with…

Michael

After I lost my job at the hockey arena as a Zamboni driver and then my savings ran out, I ended up in a shelter downtown. It’s not easy to get a decent full-time job at my age. I turned to Yonge Street Mission and applied for Genesis Place housing. Was…

Sathis

I knew there had to be more. I was homeless by 13. I did time in jail. I wanted to change, but life after jail is hard. What do you do? Where do you turn for help? It’s easy to panic, do some- thing stupid — and just repeat the cycle.But…