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A Helping Hand for Seniors
Valarie has found a sense of belonging and independence in new housing
2 MIN READ

“I started my relationship with the agency four years ago. I was attending a program to learn about computers and someone suggested I could have lunch at the senior’s centre in the same building as the school.

I was served delicious lunches and was able to participate in activities. The centre gives seniors a sense of independence and a chance to have a social life. They make them feel important.

From there, I got help in finding more suitable seniors housing. I had been living in a group home setting.

I’ve been living on my own since August 2021, and I’m very happy with my apartment. I have privacy and I have supports in place. There is a tenant support worker who helps me when I need it. I also have the freedom to come and go as I like. It took me a while to adjust to being independent but I’m doing OK.

The only thing that I really don’t like is having to use a food bank.

But because of my housing situation and the budget that I’m on I need to use food programs. They are very understanding and very approachable about issues as well, so it’s not only about food, I’m using the agency for moral support as well.

They’ve been fantastic. I can’t say enough good things about the agency. I’m really glad that United Way is supporting them. I’m really happy to be a spokesperson because I know that both agencies care about people.

The senior’s centre offers a sense of community and also a place where seniors are cared for. You walk in the door and it’s ‘Hi Valerie, how are you today?’ It’s like you’re part of the family.

I really appreciate the fact that there are agencies like this that are able to help seniors.

And I am really grateful for the food bank as well. If it weren’t for the food program, I don’t think I’d be quite as successful as I am today.

I still feel that I have something to give back to the community that has given me so much. Seniors have a lot to give.”

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“I started my relationship with the agency four years ago. I was attending a program to learn about computers and someone suggested I could have lunch at the senior’s centre in the same building as the school. I was served delicious lunches and was able to participate in activities. The centre gives seniors a sense of independence and a chance to have a social life. They make them feel important.
As a newcomer, Sebastian found himself struggling in school and trying to learn English. Now, five years later, he is volunteering at the United Way-supported agency and serving as a leader to newcomers arriving today. His family emigrated from there home country when Sebastian was seven. “It was because of the state my country was in. It wasn’t the greatest in terms of safety. We were shot at one day when going to my grandma’s house, and I think that’s what led my parents to finally make the decision to immigrate.”
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