First Person
Others, Addictions , HomelessnessContributed by: Yonge Street Mission
Arleen’s heart for struggling neighbours and her previous role at YSM’s Davis Centre front desk led her to her current role providing care for adults in YSM’s Bridges program and YSM’s Church at the Mission.
“At the welcome desk, I had the privilege of getting to know many community members which led to a desire to work with them in a deeper way. My favourite part about this job is witnessing people progress. It’s a journey and it’s an honour to walk with our adult community members. You hear and see stories filled with pain, the reality of what many live with, but there is hope in that pain and that’s what I want to help bring in people’s lives…hope.
We need mentors, workshop facilitators and dinner volunteers, as well as items to help reach education and employment goals, such as laptops, backpacks, interview clothing or steel-toe boots. Donating or volunteering with YSM is about coming together to believe in a vision, believing that we can end the cycle of poverty in Toronto.”
Bridges offers adults struggling with poverty the opportunity to take courses, build community, create learning plans and access referrals towards housing, employment and counselling. Bridges, as with all YSM programming, is fuelled by the belief that all people have dignity, value and purpose.
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