Fall 2012 - LOFT Community Services

Back On eir FeetC O N N E C T I O N SLOFT COMMUNITY SERVICES NEWSLETTER • VOLUME 33 • FALL 2012IN THIS ISSUE• LOFT Clients Tell eir Stories• A Poem Song• oughts From the Younger Generation• 22nd Annual Christmas Concert• Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon

Travelling Ahead – The Value of Communityby Kay RoessleinKay Roesslein is the Director of two LOFT Programs, the big, dynamic and ever-expanding McEwan Housing andSupport Services, and the small, gentle and very home-like St. George House. When Kay’s clients are on the move,she’s right there with them.On a beautiful summer day, there are many of us who thinknothing of a quick jaunt to the lake to escape the heat. And, whenwe want to escape the city, we pack up the car and head to one ofOntario’s lovely beaches.is is not the reality forMcEwan clients. Strugglingwith HIV, mentalhealth and substance use,and lacking financialmeans, there is no car to“jump” into, nor is therethe certainty that theiroverall health will be sufficientlystable to make atrip.Yet, here they are! isyear 57 people packedinto a Greyhound Busand headed for WasagaBeach on a day trip.Members and staff trulyworked together to packand unpack, barbeque,set out the meal, clean up,play soccer, fly a kite and swim! Together we assisted those inwheelchairs to get in and out of the bus (no small feat), to get tothe beach, and even to get into the water!Like any family, there isthe potential for differingopinions and squabbles.Feelings can be heightenedtoo, when we’reexcited or we are notfeeling well.Instead, all differenceswere put aside, andeveryone truly cametogether.e social recreationalaspect of an individual’sRecovery is key toanyone’s well being. Andas each of these membersmoves forward in recapturinghis or her qualityof life, they have also builtthemselves a community!The Loneliness Factor- Ruben’s StoryLOFT’s Mental Health & Justice Program serves people whoare referred by the courts, who are either currently involved orat risk of becoming involved with the criminal justice system.I lived in the shelter system for about 8 months. I stayed at theMaxwell Meighan Centre and e Good Shepherd. I then rented asmall room for about 6 weeks before coming to LOFT. It was all Icould afford.I got my LOFT apartment through a court-related Mental Health Diversionthat referred me to the Mental Health and Justice program.Having this unit helped me in stabilizing my life through churchactivities and LOFT related activities.ey have taken away the boredom and loneliness factor which cantrigger my drinking. Drinking has been my addiction for 35 years.LOFT Seniors and their friend Lolaon a recent visit to CaledoniaI have now stayed sober for 15 months and I credit the church and theLOFT program for my recovery. I have been part of LOFT for over 17months at this time.

LOFT –A Poem SongBy Patricia Anne Therese TraffordJune 2012Climbing a mountainOne step at a timeGrasping, breathless, we hold onFeelings soar – heights too scary to face aloneA heart beatA songA smile, I’m not aloneWe Take a Leap of Faith Together, not aloneA painful pastA hurting heartHands outreached linking usShedding our bondageWe Take a Leap of Faith Together, not aloneBonds we formFriends we becomeLearning to growWe Take a Leap of Faith Together, not aloneEach in their own timeEach in their own wayBut one by oneWe Take a Leap of Faith Together – We Won!Climbing a mountain one step at a timeGrasping, breathless, we hold onEach in their own timeEach in their own wayOne by oneTaking a Leap of Faith Together – LOFT!Patricia Trafford was one of the firstclients of LOFT/Crosslinks Housing andSupport Services in York Region, and thefirst person to graduate from that serviceand move on to independence. Seventeenyears later she is back living withCrosslinks Seniors – York Region inBradford.Patricia: “Thank you for providing me withgood housing and the opportunity to fulfillmy Senior dreams.”Some Thoughts from the Younger GenerationAbout a year ago, LOFT began a transformation of its own, revamping itsYouth Services to respond to the changing needs of at-risk and streetinvolved youth. The Transitional Age Youth Program provides different typesof housing and a whole range of services to support each client’s physical,mental and spiritual health. The key lies in working cooperatively with youthand helping them identify and build on their own personal strengths.Here are comments from three of the program’s first group of clients.Cory M - is program has helped me in many ways; it has kept me off the streets, outof the shelters and out of a life of crime for quite some time now. During my time withLOFT I have also weaned myself off of drugs and feel I am a better person because ofit. I am presently training to be the mentor [to other LOFT youth clients] which hasbeen an incredible opportunity. I have also just started my first year of University thisSeptember and this has opened my eyes to the many positive, possible directions mylife can go. THANK YOU LOFT.Victoria J - LOFT offered me housing and community support. e workers havehelped me find a place where I can volunteer and I just love it, and they are helping mefigure out things about school.AJ - e LOFT youth program has helped save my life. Having my own room in asober environment has helped me focus on myself and my strengths. My worker hasbeen a great guide to my new sober life. I am no longer kept down by others becauseI have my own space. LOFT and Pankhurst House (a LOFT youth peer-supporthouse – ed.) has shaped the “New Me”. Now I take out my anger and frustration doingcompetitive boxing.I List 6 Things I’m Grateful For Each Morning– Neil AmitayAbout 7 years ago I went through a lot of bad things at once. I lost my business, a17-year relationship ended, I lost my house and I was diagnosed with HIV. I becamereally stressed and this is when I started using drugs.Fast forward five years to when I met Marco and Senny from McEwan. When I firstspoke to them I was living in a cockroach infested hell-hole. I was using crack andmarijuana every day. I was lonely and isolated and severely depressed. I thought aboutsuicide a lot and the drugs helped keep the thoughts at bay. I was mentally, physically,and spiritually unwell.Marco and Senny were there for me as oen as I needed them. ey helped me findaffordable housing in an apartment that is sunny, bright and most importantly has noroaches! With my living situation under control, I have started a business sandblastingglass and selling my art.I used to take drugs so I could get this good feeling but I realize that drugs could nevermake me feel like I do now.Now I’ve been clean for 3 months. I feel great and have my HIV under control. I haveput on 20 pounds and look healthier. I’m occasionally tempted to use again but it passesquickly. I’ve learned coping mechanisms. I list 6 things I am grateful for before I getout of bed in the morning.e way things are going maybe I’ll be able to travel across Canada to sell my art nextsummer. e year aer that – maybe Europe. I’m looking forward to the future.e complete story of Neil’s transformation is available on the LOFT Blog athttp://locs.wordpress.com.

22nd AnnualChristmas ConcertOne Step at a TimeScotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon,Half Marathon, and 5K takes place on October 14.Those of us with Team LOFT are busy tying our laces andgetting in a few last training runs. With over 100 membersand counting, the LOFT presence is sure to be felt on theday of the race!Kelly Walker, EmceeIt’s Coming...Karen Kain, Honorary PatronRoger Honeywell, 2011Mark the Date - Monday, December 3, 2012Yes, it’s that time of year again! e holiday season is fastapproaching and with it comes LOFT’s Annual ChristmasConcert. is will be our 22nd and like years past it is sure to befilled with good cheer and great performers. e concert is slatedfor the evening of Monday, December 3rd and will once again betaking place at the beautiful St. James Cathedral at 7:30pm(corner of King and Church Streets, downtown Toronto).e concert is a major fundraising event for LOFT. e moneyraised goes directly to support our programs and those who needour help. Help us make sure everyone has a Home for theHolidays.General tickets are $35 eachPatron tickets are $100 eachand include a $65 tax receiptBenefactor tickets are $500 for 2 tickets+ a $430 tax receipt + invitation to post-concert receptionOur team is doing a great job fundraising – our current totalstands at over $25,000 but we still need your help. In 2011we were able to raise almost $45,000. We want to beat thatthis year!Help us reach our goal – Donate to a team or a runner:a Head over to www.loftcs.org.b. Click on the red STWM logo.c. Scroll to the bottom of the page and click on “Clickhere to create a fundraising account”. This will bringyou to a list of LOFT teams and runners. Choose theteam/runner you want to donate to and sponsorthem!d. Alternatively, on the same page, you may make ageneral donation by clicking “Make a one-timedonation to the charity”.Order your tickets by calling 416-979-1994 ext. 233 or ext. 222e concert was a great hit last year and tickets sold quickly.Seating is determined by ticket number. Order yours early toget a good seat!Like Us OnFacebook!Did you know LOFT is onFacebook?Like Us and be the first toknow what we’re up to.See pictures from our eventsand get the inside scoop!Check it out at:www.facebook.com/locs.or read our blog athttp://locs.wordpress.comSUPPORT LOFTPlease consider making adonationin order to help those in need.Donations can be made onlineat www.loftcs.orgby phone or mail:LOFT Community Services15 Toronto Street, 9th FloorToronto, ON M5C 2E3Phone: 416-979-1994ext. 222Fax: 416-979-3028Don’t delay – the fundraising website closes on October31st.Donations go directly to our programs to help pay for thingstheir budget just doesn’t have room for: expanding theability to put on social recreational activities for residents orbuying a new computer to allow people to work on resumesand school projects. Your help is so important so pleasedonate today!For help or if you have questions please contact:Amy 416-979-1994 ext. 233 or atran@loftcs.org.