“My favorite thing about YSM is how friendly the staff are. They come in with a smile and know you by name. It’s good to come to a place you know you are welcome and safe.”

Amanda has struggled with poverty for most of her life doing her best to make ends meet while on ODSP. At Bridges Amanda found warm meals, participated in creative writing classes where she wrote a book, and began visiting the Bridges’ Learning Hub for one-on-one assistance with her resumé, cover letter, and job applications.

Today, Amanda feels blessed to be able to give back to the YSM community by volunteering at special events, such as the Coldest Night of the Year event and our PATH Clothing Drive. She takes pride in telling supporters how their donations help people just like her.

“It’s great to see where I started and where I am now. It’s nice to give back to something that has given so much to me. ”With your ongoing support, we can continue to provide essential services to community members like Amanda. Thank you for helping us move more people from surviving to thriving.