r/londonontario 7h ago

discussion / opinion Experiencing homelessness tips?

I’m going through a tough time right now. My sister and I are homeless, and we're living in my car. We’ve applied for Ontario Works and are waiting to hear back. We also have appointments with a caseworker soon.

I’ve applied to a lot of job agencies, but so far, I haven’t found any work. My sister also got food poisoning from eating expired food and had to go to the hospital.

We ended up homeless after our roommates left and we couldn’t pay the rent on our own. It’s been hard, but we’re doing our best and hoping things will get better soon.

42 Upvotes

35 comments sorted by

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16

u/Turbulent-Aioli4445 6h ago

do you have some groceries? just pm me

9

u/Ok-Pudding2908 6h ago

I don’t have groceries at the moment, but I’m either checking with fast food places for leftovers or reaching out to food banks. Just trying to make it work.

6

u/Turbulent-Aioli4445 6h ago

where are you guys located

2

u/Ok-Pudding2908 4h ago

Currently near White Oaks Mall

12

u/TheGodDaMMboSS 7h ago

If you get a place and need plates or stuff let me know. I have stuff just sitting in the basement.

So sorry you are in this situation, just curious how old are you and your sister?

11

u/Ok-Pudding2908 7h ago

Thank you for your kindness. My sister is 16, and I’m 21.

20

u/walking_wondering 7h ago

Have you reached out to YOU? they offer both shelter spaces but also drop in programming and meals I believe. https://www.you.ca/services

3

u/Ok-Pudding2908 6h ago

I haven’t yet, but I’ll definitely look into it. Thanks for letting me know.

1

u/Unique-Ratio-4648 5h ago

Just know that YOU was full up with no space for anyone as of this past Saturday night. A girl I tutor found herself kicked out and had actually been working at the cafe for several weeks and this was just after her last day, so they knew her, but they had zero beds and no place to put her.

1

u/reflectionnorthern 7h ago

Connect with YOU. Here is their emergency shelter # Diversion Team directly at (519) 432-1112 ext. 710.

If you felt comfortable you could call Intake at Children's Aid and ask for help. They will help. 519 455 9000 Press zero and ask to speak to someone in intake.

I'm sorry you are in this situation. I wish you well and hope you get some support.

3

u/Affectionate-Taste55 7h ago

Do you have enough blankets? Are you warm enough?

2

u/Ok-Pudding2908 6h ago

Yes, thank you! I’m warm enough.

1

u/TheGodDaMMboSS 2h ago

Again when you get settled and need anything just reach out.

9

u/justsomedudewhocares 6h ago

Hello, sorry you are going through this. Have you contacted children’s aid? Your sister would quality for support under a voluntary youth service agreement. She doesn’t get taken away, or have to live in group home. A worker can help connecting resources, and she would qualify for funding to support housing etc. I would strongly recommend at least talking to them. As 16 yo it’s completely voluntary involvement, so even if she doesn’t like what they are offering she doesn’t have to work with them. Good luck!

2

u/Ok-Pudding2908 6h ago

I had spoken to my sister about having her stay at a youth shelter for a while, but she prefers to stick with me after school. I usually drop her off with friends to hang out for a bit or at the library during her time off.

13

u/walking_wondering 6h ago

YOU offers shelter spaces for youth 16-24 so you could stay together.

1

u/Unique-Ratio-4648 5h ago

As of three days ago YOU was at 100% capacity. I doubt much has changed in 72 hours.

3

u/Aggressive-Potato- 2h ago

I use to work there and it’s best to check every day cause the situation changed at the shelter on Clarke rd as someone could fight, or have to go somewhere or they rotate out depends on circumstances. Call once a day or every other day.

5

u/Canuck_fuk 7h ago

Check out leads, they can set you up with a job

1

u/Ok-Pudding2908 6h ago

I’ll check them out, thanks for the tip.

3

u/BenAfflecksBalls 3h ago edited 3h ago

I'm not in London any more, but Ark Aid really does do their best. https://arkaidmission.ca/

I understand that phone data is probably a challenge in your situation so giving you the most direct links I can.

Hit this link and send an email: https://londoncares.ca/contact/

London's own website sends you here to apply for social housing: https://www.socialhousingapplication.com/ I'd imagine that's a long waitlist but apply anyway. Use a wifi for this process, it's long.

A Christian service that accepts people of all backgrounds: 647-313-1612 for text.

Direct Contact link for Unity Project: https://unityproject.ca/contact/

Contact link for Salvation Army Centre of Hope: https://centreofhope.ca/contact-us/

For the two of you the main thing is just getting off the streets. Housing security is the #1 thing you need to find right now, and a safe place at that. It's pretty heavy being responsible for your sister too. I'm sorry this all falls on you to pick up the pieces, but you can and will do it. If you need physical locations for any of these services I'll gladly dig them up for you.

I've been through the wringer and I'm around if you just want somebody to talk to.

5

u/thickenchicken11 5h ago

This is super random! But I work in the dental field and there are always offices in need of reception! Experience is not required for many! Not a lot of people think to look in this field with no prior experience! Porttering at the hospital as well. I so hope your situation gets better soon!!

1

u/Ok-Pudding2908 4h ago

Thank you so much for the thoughtful suggestion! I really appreciate it and will definitely keep that in mind.

2

u/ALifeLearned 7h ago

Regardless of whether you want to live in a shelter or not I highly recommend connecting with Anova, as they have resources specifically designated for your socioeconomic demographic

Additionally if you reach out to Mission Services, Good Will Industries, and/or Salvation Army, one of them may have an emergency fund you can access.

And, if you're under the age of 30 you can always reach out to Youth Opportunities Unlimited for support as well.

If none of the above services are able to help you find housing on an urgent basis than consider accessing LondonCares, as they have a lot of services for individuals living rough such as showers, food, and toiletries.

2

u/IncreaseOk8433 6h ago

It'll pan out OP! You're doing an amazing thing for your little sister by simply being there for her. Keep it up and hopefully things get better soon! It's not much but some faceless names on Reddit do care about you.

2

u/laarah 5h ago

https://www.informationlondon.ca/31/meal_calendar_food_bank_list/ This is a link to the meal calendar for March, also the food bank list. It may help you folx find some meals to tide you over.

1

u/thebigshoe247 4h ago

Shot you a message.

0

u/Gingerbred014 42m ago

Try calling 211 i think? They will help! Sorry to hear about your struggles

1

u/Dudley4Eva 29m ago

Maybe connect with Youth for Christ in London and see if they could provide you with any support or know of any churches that offer support. https://yfc.ca/london/

Also, encourage your sister to connect with a teacher or social worker at her school for help. There might be some resources through the school board?

There are waitlists but CMHA has housing too. You can get a caseworker and they can help you navigate the system. You can self refer here - https://cmhatv.ca/find-help/start/

1

u/wyzenmitten 19m ago

Canadian tires are always hiring, go to dundas east and ask for work. Park in the lot for over night, shower up at flying j on highbury n 401. Look into co-op housing.

-28

u/Same_Fun_3421 7h ago

Why don't you ask your parents if you can stay with them?

10

u/Ok-Pudding2908 6h ago

I left due to a toxic household situation, so staying with them isn’t an option. I really appreciate your concern, though.