Stories of
transformation
Finding pathways out of long-term poverty for the people of Toronto
Desiree's Story
Shortly after Desirée* gave birth to her daughter Amira,* she had to flee from an abusive relationship with Amira’s father. She had no choice but to start over with nothing — no home, no job, no family members to support her. It was scary. Desirée and Amira were living in a shelter, and Desirée didn’t know how she was going to feed her daughter.
Life felt impossible.
Desirée was alone — until she discovered Yonge Street Mission (YSM) and the support we offer.
Through YSM, Desirée received food from the Food Bank, clothing through our Double Take thrift store, counselling to begin to heal from the abuse she’d experienced, and employment readiness training to prepare for the future.
Thanks to the support she received, Desirée’s life began to change.
Desirée now has a job and an affordable place to live. She has even returned to school. Amira feels safe, and has become lively and full of joy. Desirée finally feels confident that they will be okay.
*Name and photo have been changed to protect community member’s privacy.
Diego's Story
Diego* came to Canada a year and a half ago as a refugee claimant from Mexico.
He first reached out to Yonge Street Mission because he was moving from one temporary housing arrangement to another, and he needed help. Through YSM’s Bridges care management program, Diego was connected with a Spanish-speaking care manager.
YSM’s care managers play a key role in how we are able to offer holistic, wrap-around care that makes a meaningful difference. They listen and work with community members to assess their current situation. Together, they develop a plan for moving forward. One of the most powerful services a care manager provides is practical help in determining what support systems are available, and walking alongside community members as they navigate those systems.
Diego’s care manager helped enroll him in Ontario Works, which in turn allowed him to get into WRAP, a city-funded wellness recovery program. With the help of YSM’s Housing Services, Diego found a permanent place to live.
Having a permanent home was a key tipping point for Diego—when he had his own space, he felt stable enough to get a full-time job. He loves second-hand stores, and secured full-time work at a second-hand store near his new home. Today, he’s dreaming of starting a youth soccer training club like the one he used to run in Mexico.
*Name and photo have been changed to protect community member’s privacy.
John's Story
A few weeks ago, John* walked into our Evergreen Health Centre for vulnerable youth.
Homeless and struggling with personal hygiene, John hadn’t seen a dentist in years. He came at the urging of his girlfriend, who had noticed his declining health, and because he knew it was time for a change.
John’s teeth were riddled with cavities and holes, and he no longer smiled because he felt so self-conscious.
When John came to YSM’s dental clinic, we immediately set to work. The dentist conducted a thorough examination and informed him of the extensive work required to restore his smile. It was clear this would be a long process, but John was determined. Together, we created a comprehensive plan to address his dental issues.
Over multiple sessions, we diligently worked on John’s teeth, filling every cavity and repairing every hole. Each visit brought noticeable improvements, and John’s confidence began to grow. He was amazed at the transformation, remarking that he never thought he’d look this good again.
Now, just having celebrated his 25th birthday, John is beaming with a bright, healthy smile. He kept expressing his gratitude, saying he didn’t even know such services were available. His story is a testament to the importance of dental care and the profound impact it can have on one’s overall well-being.
*Name and photo have been changed to protect community member’s privacy.
Manuel's Story
Manuel* first arrived in Canada in 1991 as a refugee.
When he started his new life in Canada, Manuel didn’t have much, yet he was filled with boundless hope that his life would be greatly improved once he and his wife were established in Toronto.
And it did get better—Manuel and his wife both had good jobs. They could afford an apartment, and felt they were living a good life.
That is, until Manuel suddenly lost his job.
Immediately, life for them became much more difficult. Ultimately Manuel lost his wife, home and the chance to be with his children every day. He found himself homeless, living on the street with just his dog for companionship.
The hopes and dreams he had when he came to Canada seemed utterly out of his reach. He had fallen to the bottom and didn’t know how to rebuild his life, or even survive.
Manuel found his way to Yonge Street Mission, where he was welcomed and provided with meals he desperately needed. Hearty dinners filled his stomach, and the chance to be part of a community also filled his heart.
Thanks to your generosity, Manuel has received much support since that first season of visiting YSM. Today he’s off the street and has a safe place to live in Regent Park. He has also benefitted from counselling to help him break addictions, start rebuilding his life and become an advocate for his Regent Park neighbours.
*Name and photo have been changed to protect community member’s privacy.
Sheila's Story
Sheila* was caring for her husband as he recovered from a life-threatening illness. And, after working full-time for three decades, she was laid off from her job. At 56, finding work was challenging, especially with the responsibility of seeing her husband through his recovery.
While there was a lot on Sheila’s plate, things were made worse because the savings of Sheila and her husband were depleted while he was unable to work. The 6-week waiting period for Employment Insurance benefits meant they found themselves unable to afford much beyond their rent.
Out of options, Sheila turned to Yonge Street Mission’s Food Bank. She was humbled by how YSM staff treated her with kindness and respect, even though she felt embarrassed to be visiting a food bank.
Experiences like Sheila’s are sadly shared by too many Toronto residents today. The price of food and other basic essentials continues to increase. For many, relief seems to be nowhere in sight. According to Sheila, even her neighbours with jobs are finding it hard to get by. So many more families like hers are turning to food banks and meal programs for the first time.
Together, we can provide the kindness that lifts hearts and gets community members through times of real need and unrelenting worry.
*Name and photo have been changed to protect community member’s privacy.