Agency: McMan Youth and Family Services
Please note: Names and identifying information have been changed to protect anonymity.
Life was rough before coming into the James House. I was around other people using drugs and drinking too. It was easy to drown my sorrow staying at the Seed Warehouse in the southeast of town. I grew up in Calgary, struggled for years with health and drugs. Now that I learned to stay “clean.” Now, I keep to my goals in Life!!!!! I believe my success is due to the program at the James House. The highly trained staff helped me to get on track with my life. The support I received through that time was emotional like family. I can not say enough of the support I received from all staff. What a feeling it is to have a roof over my head again…. Love you all. Thanks. – From participant
From Staff
The participant came into the James House from the Mustard Seed February 9th, 2022, and successfully transitioned into community February 13th, 2023. He was experiencing homelessness for several years while battling substance use. The participant describes hiding from himself because of his use.
Moreover, he was in a difficult financial situation as bills were piling up which became too overwhelming and added barriers to moving forward. He did not have the resources, funds, or housing to improve his situation. He was stuck and had no hope. Moving into the James House had a big impact on him. He attributes his success to the staff, people and having a home. He states “the biggest impact was getting back to the basics, having a roof over his head.” For him, being apart of McMan helped him to take control of his situation and get on track to create and accomplish his goals. While at the James House, he addressed his physical health concerns by consistently attending his medical appointments, he followed through with several medical tests, he followed through with an Assured Income for Severely Handicapped (AISH) application by obtaining required documents, he navigated the Maintenance Enforcement Program (MEP) and set up a payment plan, he also set up online banking and CRA accounts. The most critical need he was working on was child maintenance to which his debt had compiled. He pertains his success in working with MEP through his acquired skill of communication. He worked closely with his case manger to support him in cultivating his skills. As a result, he knows how to talk to MEP and CRA effectively allowing him to work with them. He is now meeting his required payments consistently. He has incredible persistence but acknowledged it was hidden within him because of the financial situation he was in. He now has a handle on his financial situation and it’s staying on track; his persistence radiated. He applied to the Graduated Rent Subsidy Program (GRSP) through CUPS Calgary Society and was successful. He is living in his own apartment and has extra financial support for the year while he strives towards his goals. He realized he had more patience than he thought. This was evident when he had to navigate the many parts of the health system, waited for test results, sorted out financial matters, weathered personal challenges and changes, and preserved through transition. He was successful in getting a diagnosis of sleep apnea. Since being in community he has worked with the government and Alberta Works and obtained a new sleep apnea machine. He now feels better, sleeps longer and sleep is uninterrupted. He is extremely persistent, resilient and has incredible initiative.
Being at the James House gave him the opportunity to connect with community and resources new to him. He became a frequent member of the Hill Hurst Community Centre with their market greens program. He gained the experience in obtaining a food bank consistently and can navigate it on his own. At times, he will call on his natural supports to help pick it up. He stayed connected to his church and built a community of support. Staff recognized he consistently attended program events and was a helpful participant. With his helpful nature, he was also apart of a branding workshop for McMan. Within the James House, he befriended his neighbors and enjoyed the opportunity to help one another. He recalls an important time where he would cook meals with a neighbor and spend quality time together. He acknowledges this was a helpful learning moment for him. Being a good neighbor and building friendships was important practice for him that he can apply to his new place of residence. Since living in his new residence, he now knows all the names of his neighbors on his floor. He has made friends with a resident below him who often assists him with fixing his laptop and gives him movies to watch. He has also built a friendship with another neighbor to which they often share meals. He maintains his relationship with his father, Aunt and Nephew, church members and remains in contact with friends he met along his journey.
His goal for the future is to work towards obtaining long term employment once he gets medical clearance from his doctor. Since his transition, he continues to access resources. He got in touch with the John Howard Society and was directed to another organization to help him with a pardon. His goal is to participate in the program and work through it. He also accesses resources within his new community, like dental services and goes to the community centre weekly.
He is enjoying his new home and stated he has a great quality of life. He has ample food in the fridge, heat, a roof over his head, and has something to work towards. He is out of a negative situation and has been on a positive path. He is thrilled to have hope and to be back in the role he was in before homelessness, like staying out of trouble and going to church. He states he is “maintaining my dignity and my life.”
The James House staff are delighted to see him transition successfully and appreciate the hard work he dedicated to improving his situation. James House wishes him all the best in his future endeavors and knows that he will continue to thrive and achieve his objectives.
