I lived with an abusive partner who controlled my finances and forbid me from seeing my family and friends. One night my partner held a knife to my throat and threatened to kill me; that was the night I knew I had to leave. I took my children while my partner was out walking our dog and fled to my sister’s house. My two daughters and I lived there for several months in a crowded room. I searched for an affordable apartment so that we could move out on our own, but all I found were one-bedroom or bachelor spaces. I searched for a job, but it was hard to find something when my resume indicated I hadn’t work in seven years. I had been off work that long because my partner forbade me to get a job. The only income we had was Ontario Works.
Children’s Aid stepped in and told me I needed to find more suitable accommodations for myself and my kids. They refereed me to Nellie’s Community Support & Outreach Program where they said I could apply for Housing Connection’s Special Priority Program for woman leaving abuse. Unfortunately, I was unable to access this program as I didn’t have any documentation proving I had lived with my abuser. I was never allowed to access any official documents and I didn’t know where my partner hid them. It had never occurred to me, as I was quickly leaving my house with my children that I would need to bring this these types of items with me.
Despite this setback, Nellie’s assisted me in developing a safety plan while I stayed with my sister. We still applied for Special Priority Housing, and with a strong advocacy letter and ongoing support from Nellie’s Housing Worker, my application was eventually approved and I received an offer for a 2-bedroom apartment. Nellie’s sent me to the Furniture Bank to pick out a kitchen table, beds, and a lovely 1970s style sofa that looks great in my living room.
After I moved out, Nellie’s told me about Times Change Women’s Employment Service where I was able to enroll in an educational upgrading program. I am now at the top of my class at Chef School and my classmates all say I make a mean vegetarian empanada!