Archives for February 2019

Archive for February, 2019

Thank You!

Posted on: February 14th, 2019 by Nellie's No Comments

“We are always forever grateful for you, our donors.”
– Margarita Mendez, Executive Director

A new year always brings promises of new growth, new opportunities and new achievements. This is no different for the women and children who come to Nellie’s. After experiencing abuse and trauma, many women first come to us seeking nothing but shelter. And it is through Nellie’s that they learn, gain support, find friends and build the confidence they need to successfully accomplish the next chapter in their lives.

And they are able to do all of this because of your support.

We are forever grateful for the generosity of our donors near and far. It’s because of you that we can provide the day-to-day necessities of life as well as the outreach programs and services that are designed to foster learning and support. You have always ensured that we are able to tailor our responses to meet the needs of the women and children living at Nellie’s, as well as those using the programs and services at our community support and outreach site.

We bring together women from all walks of life; women who may never have had the opportunity to meet but who are now meaningfully connecting with each other as they learn to support each other. As we at Nellie’s look towards our 50th anniversary in 2023, we will continue to take the much-needed courageous steps to help women and their children experiencing abuse and trauma overcome the multitude of barriers they face.

I am confident that the persistent diligence and enthusiasm of our Board of Directors, the ongoing dedication and hard work of our talented staff and the support of our generous donors will ensure that we will continue to rise to every challenge in the coming year.

Thank you for your continued trust and support.

Because of you, Nellie’s gives hope

Posted on: February 7th, 2019 by Nellie's No Comments

When Krystal Joseph first arrived in Toronto, she was five months pregnant and had her two-year-old daughter, Joshae, in tow. She stepped off a plane at Pearson airport from her home in Antigua with just $700 to her name and dreams of a better life for her and her kids. It was a friend who had convinced her to come to Canada by also promising her a place to stay.

That promise of a home didn’t last.

Kicked out on the street after just one month and with nowhere to go, Krystal quickly found her way to Nellie’s where staff immediately took her and her daughter in.

“I was so scared that first night. I had no one else here in Canada but the staff at Nellie’s took us in like if we were family,” says Krystal. “When we arrived at Nellie’s, we had nothing but they took care of us — asked me what we needed and gave us things like lotions and things for Joshae. It really gave me hope.”

Krystal and Joshae immediately settled into a routine. “I think Joshae was happy that we were in a place with other people and children. They had toys and she saw that there was a community. It was her home. In my mind I knew what Nellie’s is and where we were, but in her mind, it was like Disneyland. As her mother, it made me feel better to see that she felt safe.”

Joshae visited the Children’s Program in the house every Wednesday and Friday evening (“She made me the most wonderful art presents every week,” says Krystal), while Krystal immersed herself in Nellie’s in some of many group programs.

In one program she learned how to cook on a budget; in another she developed a better understanding of how to manage her finances; and in yet another she came to understand the emotional abuse she had endured at the hands of the so-called friend that brought her to Canada.

“They did a wonderful job in terms of getting us on our feet while also having fun at the same time. The staff at Nellie’s made me feel special and safe. They gave me hope,” she says.

A few months into her stay at Nellie’s, her daughter, Journeiy, was born. Her birth only strengthened Krystal’s passion to give her two daughters a better life. She passed her high school equivalency exam, started college, volunteered often and found a job as a Geriatric Support Worker. Her greatest challenge was finding a home. A Nellie’s Housing Support Worker was always by her side as she filled out housing applications.

“I knew I could do it because people were rooting for me and pushing me and reassuring me that I was going to be okay. I never had anything like that in my life before.”

In September 2018, Krystal, Joshae and Journeiy moved into their own home. Nellie’s staff referred her to other community agencies so that she could furnish it. The kids love it, she says. “They’re throwing toys all over the house and driving me crazy! It’s perfect.”

And she is forever grateful for the care and support they all got while living at Nellie’s.

“I’m never ashamed to say I lived in a shelter. Nellie’s wasn’t a shelter for me, it was so much more than that—it was my home and the people there were my family.”