by Sophie Chong – Nov. 30, 2018
Beth Edwards was kicked out of her home 37 years ago, and was living on the streets of Toronto. She’s spent time in Toronto’s emergency foster care system, and was homeless at a young age.
“I personally know the struggle with homelessness and being a part of the system,” she said.
Edwards is now a significant figurehead at Street Haven at the Crossroads, a shelter for women battling drug addiction and mental illness. And during this holiday season, she says the shelter and supportive housing services provide women who lack emotional support.
“This is a time where it’s a stronger reminder that people may be estranged from their families, or have no family at all. Or the family they have is not one they want to spend time with, and therein lies the struggle,” she said.
The upcoming Christmas dinners and holiday parties planned for the residents at the supportive housing unit, allow women to spend time with the people who support them, according to Edwards.
“We try to make sure it is an inclusive feeling…for women in this time of year, it can be a lonely time… in Christmas especially,” said Edwards. “We try very much to make the environment warm, and inviting. We’re always trying to be understanding of the things they are going through. We try to be a little more sensitive at this time.”
The Mental Health Commission of Canada says that having access to individualized services and support is vital to one’s recovery of mental illness and increases housing stability.
Adelaide Resource Centre for Women, a learning centre that provides educational, counselling, and domestic services for women, is also a place where at-risk women are able to comfortably celebrate the holidays, with no judgement and are free to socialize.
Nhasan, the program facilitator at the learning centre, says that the students suffer from homelessness, have a high risk of being homeless, and are those who live with issues that include mental health, and drug addiction.
She said the centre is planning on giving out socks filled with Tim Hortons and Walmart gift cards, and receive many shoeboxes filled with hygiene products and clothing from charity drives and donations.
“Anything helps”, she said.
The centre plans to host a holiday party with all the staff members and students. Students will be bringing food cooked on their own, and have a chance to share it with one another. The centre will also be taking students to Roy Thomson hall to see the play, The Messiah, and are welcome to bring their friends and family as well.
“We go to the classrooms, and we ask them what they would like to do. They were the ones who came up with the holiday party, and who asked to go see the play,” she said.
Nhasan expressed that just listening to someone’s problems and what they want helps the someone feel like they are being cared for.
“When I listen to how they’re feeling, I think that will really make a difference in their life, because often they say that there’s no one listening,” she said.
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