Pictured above: Grace holds her post-it note, encouraging herself to persevere
Grace* grew up isolated, in an emotionally abusive family. By the time she was in her 20s, she was struggling to cope.
When her family saw her struggling, they told Grace she was an embarrassment. As punishment, they directed her to an emergency homeless shelter, where her difficulties only deepened.
When Grace could finally move from the shelter to transitional housing, with access to a kitchen, she visited Yonge Street Mission’s Food Bank for groceries. It was at our Food Bank Grace noticed a flyer for housing support through YSM.
No longer alone
So when she unexpectedly learned she would again lose her housing, Grace reached out to YSM. She was surprised when the Housing team quickly arranged to visit her in person, meet with her housing director and advocate on her behalf. In response, the director granted Grace the relief of another year to find stable housing.
That year became one in which Grace dove into as many opportunities at YSM as she could.
She met with YSM Care Manager Peter for ongoing support in working toward her goals. She remained connected with our Housing team as they sought out options. Grace’s sense of belonging within YSM’s community grew each time she attended community dinners, completed a class, or was greeted with encouragement from receptionist Zana.
Overcoming by not giving up
Almost exactly one year later, an apartment opened for Grace in YSM’s transitional housing building, Genesis Place.
After an initial rush of relief, Grace felt her new self-confidence wavering. The step forward into her own apartment suddenly felt overwhelming. She retreated back into herself, caught in self-doubt.
“YSM’s staff tried to connect with me, to give me options to work on it. But I was too far down to accept options. Peter and Ingrid from the Housing team were such good supports. But I had to get myself out.”
After four months, Grace knew she needed to push forward again. She couldn’t give up. She could do this. She pressed a sticky note against the wall of her new apartment: “KEEP GOING.”
She could make it through, if she focused on one day at a time.
Grace began meeting again with her YSM Care Manager, with friends, and attending YSM’s Church at the Mission, another church, and a local social group.
Seeing herself with new eyes
As she continues to press forward, Grace can see possibilities opening up. She has a home for the first time in years. And maybe one of the most healing experiences has been the opportunity to see herself — who she is and all she has to offer — through the eyes of the loving community around her.
“Peter says, ‘You have this brightness about you. You have a light that draws people in,’” she says. “I could never see that about myself over the years. After all this work, this progress, I’m just beginning to see this. I never experienced unconditional love, but through all these programs, through renewing my faith in God, even though I lost my biological family, I’ve gained three families — my YSM family, my church family, and the family of my social group. Through these, I’m understanding and experiencing unconditional love for the first time.”
Thank you for investing in Grace’s journey. Your support opens doors of hope!
*Community member chose this name to protect her privacy.