While most of us enjoy stable and safe housing, on April 19, 2006*, there were an estimated 5,052 individuals who were homeless in Toronto. “As a single parent of two, I moved to Toronto from a small town in eastern Ontario, looking for a better opportunity” says Alena Williams, a former client of COSTI’s North York Housing Help service. “Being unemployed is quite a scary and stressful moment in one’s daily journey through life. The most dreadful part was not knowing if our rent would get paid, or if I would have enough money left over to buy food. An unemployment cheque surely has its limits.” Living on $500 every two weeks is just enough to pay the rent and by some groceries for the family.
“The day I walked into COSTI, I was greeted by a pleasant lady who introduced herself and asked how she could assist me. I briefly explained my dilemma of trying to find accommodation and a job at the same time. Then I got down to business, and for about three months I was in COSTI's office on a regular basis, using the computer to send out résumés, apartment hunting through the Renter’s News and reviewing the many listings sent to COSTI from other landlords posting vacancies. Eventually one thing led to another - I found a job and an apartment, soon after I began to volunteer at COSTI”.
At COSTI, we understand that success means different things to different people. We believe that by filling people’s lives with opportunities for success, we’re helping to build a strong and prosperous community. COSTI North York Housing Help has been serving the community for over 15 years by opening doors and assisting those who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless to resolve their housing issues. The words of COSTI’s former client Alena Williams, serve as a reminder that should a crisis occur in our lives, any one of us may experience homelessness.
If you want to help or need help, contact COSTI’s North York Housing Help.
To read more about COSTI’s recently launched Public Service Announcement, now available in twelve languages, click here.
*(City of Toronto, Street Needs Assessment report, June 20, 2006)
