Stories
of
Hope

“I was in two different rehab centres for a full year before moving into the St. Felix Transitional House. I had no education, no work experience, and an extensive criminal record. I didn’t have a clue what I was going to do for the rest of my life.” 

I started to go to George Brown College to get my grade 12 certificate, and when I moved into St. Felix in July 2016, I had a month off from school. At the house, I joined the *One Stop Program and started working part time for 2 days a week. When I received my first ever legally earned pay cheque it was for $80. I swear I can still remember the feeling I had when I received it. I felt like I had won the lottery. I went to Shopper’s Drug Mart and Winners and bought an Oral B electric toothbrush and a ROOTS purse – I was on cloud nine. After spending the first paycheque on myself, I got serious with saving and paying my bills on time. It helped me learn the importance of saving for a rainy day and is something I still do today.

After continuing in the One Stop program, I decided that I wanted to be a social worker. I applied to George Brown and was accepted into the program. I felt like I had won the lottery again. From there I went on to get my Diploma while working in the Respite Program at St. Felix Centre full time. I was hired as a Community Worker by a non-profit organization, and then became a Harm Reduction Worker. Currently, I am a Peer Training and Development Coordinator.

Honestly, if you had asked me 9 years ago if this was possible, I would not have believed it, but here I am, and it was all because of the opportunities St. Felix Centre gave me. Without the Centre at the age of 58 now I truly do not know where I would be. There are no possible words I can use to convey my gratitude to St. Felix Centre. I have truly been blessed. I am richer than I ever would have thought possible. No words can express how I felt when I received my first legal, honestly worked for, paycheque of $80. It’s something I will never ever forget. I was 51 years old. I cannot thank you enough for this as I would not be the person I am today without the opportunity to have been able to take part the St. Felix Centre.

“It wasn’t easy to leave behind my home country, but St. Felix became more than just a place to live, it became my family.  Eventually St. Felix Centre became my home—a place where I learned that strength came from embracing challenges.”

When I arrived in Canada as a Refugee, the first place I stayed at was St. Felix Centre. At first it wasn’t easy to leave behind a home, but slowly, St. Felix became more than just a place to live; it became my family. The staff at the Centre were my guiding lights, and they took me under their wings. They taught me resilience and kindness. Eventually, St. Felix Centre became my home—a place where I learned that strength came from embracing challenges.

While staying at the Centre, I took various courses and acquired some certifications that allowed me to gain employment. I also successfully applied and received approval to move into permanent housing! Leaving St. Felix Centre was bittersweet—I was excited about my future but knew I would miss the place that had shaped my life so profoundly. 

I continued to work hard, juggling studies and part-time jobs, always with the goal of one day returning to St. Felix, not as a resident, but as a staff member. A year passed, and my determination paid off— I earned my certifications in Social Work and returned to St. Felix Centre, this time in the role of a Respite Support Staff. The transition was emotional; seeing familiar faces and realizing that I was no longer a recipient of care, but a staff member, ready to make a difference.

My first day back was a whirlwind of excitement and nerves. As I walked through the hallway, I felt the weight of my new responsibilities. I met the residents, some of whom were old friends/house mates, and others who were new to the Centre. I used my own experiences to connect with them, offering guidance and support that came from a place of understanding. Each time a guest came up to me for help, I saw a reflection of myself in them. I used my empathy and encouragement to help them open up and gain confidence, constantly striving to provide guests with the same warmth and support I had once received from same community. 

My journey from being a resident to a staff member at St. Felix was a testament to the power of resilience and giving back. I had come full circle, transforming my own struggles into a source of strength for others. As I looked around at the vibrant St. Felix community, I knew that my experiences at the Centre had not only changed my life but had allowed me to create change in the lives of others as well.

“I first came to St. Felix Centre because I was unable to find a place to live that I could afford. The workers here were very kind to me, I worked a lot with my caseworker, and he has been wonderful.”

I first came to St. Felix Centre because I had to move out of my old place, and was unable to find a new place that I could afford to move into. Soon after ending up here, I caught Covid and then after that I got long-Covid. I had very little energy and got exhausted doing simple things. The workers here were very kind to me, I worked a lot with my caseworker, and he’s been wonderful.

I struggled with brain fog, and the staff were very understanding of that when it affected my mental processes. The other guests were also very caring towards me—they will always ask if I need anything and try to help. You expect people to look after you when you’re sick, but when you’re chronically ill, sometimes people get tired of it—but here, I found people always looking after me and that kindness was so important for me in my recovery. Everyone is constantly checking in on me. A lot of people who are chronically ill often feel isolated, but here I have a little community around me.

“The people at St. Felix Centre were very kind and welcoming.  I never went to sleep hungry again. I had a place to take a hot shower, toiletries, clothing, and, I could even have tea and snacks. I felt safe.”

My name is Elizabeth Wanjiru Njeri. I arrived in Canada on June 21, 2023, seeking refugee protection, with no family here. At the airport, I received documents to guide me through the next steps, and following instructions, I went to the Red Cross to find a place to sleep. There were many of us waiting for a space to rest, but that location was full. At some point, someone suggested we go to the City’s Assessment and Referral Centre on Peter Street, but there were no spaces available anywhere. Tired, we decided to camp outside that location with many others in the same situation. I was hungry, scared, sad, and slept there that night without food.

I stayed there for two weeks, calling every hour to a number we were given to ask for shelter space, but all locations were always at capacity. During that time, sometimes we would be taken to an emergency drop-in for a shower and a meal. One day I was taken to a church to sleep, and there I met a woman who offered to help me google shelters in the city and call them looking for a space. She found St. Felix Centre and said that she knew the organization. We called their 69 Fraser site, and luckily, they had a space available, and I got accepted.

Initially, I was a bit scared because I was in shock to see so many people in need, and I didn’t know what to expect, but that anxiety quickly faded away. The people were very welcoming and caring; they assigned me a bed and offered me dinner, and the following morning I was provided with breakfast. I never went to sleep hungry again. I had a place to take a hot shower, toiletries, clothing, and, even at midnight, I could wake up and have tea and snacks. I felt safe.

At the Centre, I got involved in many activities. I played bingo and participated in a reflection group with Sister MaryAnn. The staff at St. Felix were very helpful, asking me all the time if I was doing okay and if I needed any support. There was no day when I felt too worried about anything, as I had everything I needed for my everyday life. I felt at home, and other guests became my brothers and sisters, feeling at peace all days and nights.

I received support to find and register for library services and to get a transportation card for my commute. They also helped me elaborate on my resume so I could apply for jobs and volunteer work. I was able to secure volunteer opportunities in a food bank, taking care of a garden, and in programs aiding people on the street.

With the help of my caseworker, I got the opportunity to get training on the Harm Reduction Training & Peer Program, and after completion, they offered me a job. Not too long after that, with the support again of the St. Felix Centre casework team, I was able to get training to work as a Security Guard. When I had to complete my test for that program, they arranged for a quiet space for me to take my exam and provided me with a laptop. I passed and got my certification.

After being at 69 Fraser for 3 months, St. Felix Centre helped me get my own space, and I moved out of the respite site on November 7th, 2023. The casework team helped me to move, and I am now living in my own place. I am where I am today because St. Felix Centre held my hand when I needed it the most. I am grateful for their support and guidance. I would not have made it without them. Thank you all, St. Felix Centre, and God bless you.