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Mary’s
Home
Celebrating ten years of service
On March 22,
2007, Mary’s Home celebrated it’s 10th
anniversary. Once again on hand to bless and re-dedicate the
home was Rev. Msgr. Sam Bianco. The event was hosted by the
president of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul Toronto
Central Council president, Don Walmsley. Also participating
in the presentations were Louise Coutu, Executive Director,
Michael Burns, vice-president, TCC, and Tammy Hookway,
assistant Director of Mary’s Home.
Sister
Theresa Campeau, the Director of Mary’s Home for the 10 years,
expressed gratitude and best wishes to the current and former
residents, the staff, and those who have so faithfully
supported the home. She also congratulated and welcomed the
new Director, Bola Oluwole-Rotimi.
Located
within the parish boundaries of St. Michael’s Cathedral,
Mary’s Home is operated by the Society of St. Vincent de Paul,
Toronto Central Council.
Mary’s Home
offers a safe, supportive community for women experiencing
homelessness and personal crisis. Since the time our doors
first opened in 1996,Mary’s Home has served 8,188 women in
need of emergency housing. Mary’s Home offers a welcoming
environment where staff encourage personal growth through
companionship and commitment.
Mary’s Home
began as a cooperative venture comprised of the Society of St.
Vincent de Paul, the Out of the Cold program and Habitat for
Humanity. In addition we wish to acknowledge the vital
contribution of the Archdiocese of Toronto.
We are
thankful for the continuing support of the staff, Vincentians,
volunteers, friends and benefactors who remain so committed to
this Special Work of the Society.
Mary’s Home
continues today with funding provided by the City of Toronto,
Hostel Services and through the Supportive Communities
Partnership Initiative (SCPI).
The Society
gratefully acknowledges this supportive partnership with the
City.
Photos
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The following remarks were made at the celebration by a former
resident at Mary's Home, Laura Papaioannou.
"Thank you Sister Theresa. I am so honoured to be
invited to the celebration of Mary's Home's 10th anniversary
and be asked to say a few words.
My journey began in January 2006 when I found myself
homeless and out on the street. There was a family
breakdown and I had come to a crossroad in my life. As the
expression says I was hungry, angry, lonely and tired.
After asking at 519 Community Centre, they gave me the
number of Mary's Home and I gave them a call. They did have
a bed but I had to take a shower, do all my laundry and
could I climb stairs. Well, I do not think I am that old!
It was a Sunday morning when I arrived cold, wet and
after my interview I was welcomed to share in the Sunday
Brunch, but I declined because my stomach was all in knots
-- but I knew that this was home. I knew that I needed to
be protected from the world outside that was too big and too
threatening. Sharron, a staff member escorted me to my room
and made the statement of what Sister Theresa definitely
would not put up with and the consequences would have me on
the street again. That stayed with me to this day. I
was privileged to be not put in the basement or the second
floor but the third floor. I needed to devise a plan of not
"why" but "how".
My story is no different then any one of the women. We
were of different mother tongue, colour and creed but we
were all sisters going through a hard time. It should be
called Mary's International Home because their were women
from Saudi Arabia, Africa, Germany, Hungary, Korea. England,
Greece. With our laughter, hugs and tears we all had a
special bond of love and friendship in caring for each
other. There was beauty in all of us and with beauty, one
size fits all.
The staff never judged me but accepted me for who I was.
It was OK to be me. They gave me strength and guidance with
loving emotional support so that I could redefine life.
They believed in me and that was so important for my
growth. The staff room door was never closed.
Sister Theresa was so motherly in a gentle, caring
way. She gave me a book of daily meditations for women.
The first page that I opened up was January 15th and to
paraphrase the passage "To heal take the old Sh-- , plant it
deep, use it for fertilizer and watch the beautiful flower
grow if it is well groomed, nourished and protected from
harm". Hopefully someday I could become that beautiful
flower.
Danuta the Housing Staff Worker told me to look at life
through the windshield and not the rear view mirror. I can
not focus on the door closing but the door opening. Violet,
the cook, served us delicious meals equal to the finest
restaurant. My favourite was her spaghetti, there would be
enough for 3 people on that plate. Nobody walked away
hungry. Sunday evening snack was sometimes brownies and I
would have such a sugar rush that I would be on the ceiling
followed by dancing to wear off the extra calories. Staff
Ola would tell us to shake what your momma gave you. They
worried that Sister Theresa might question their
conduct on Monday morning but it was good clean fun.
Laughter is always the best medicine. We had fashion shows
after a visit to 519 for clothes. We would get very
interesting ensembles. Karaoke was the greatest hit where
even the quietest of residents would come out of their
shell, sing and perform. Staff Anita could really boogie
and sing. All the staff were special in their own way by
words of praise or by just being sensitive to our
situation. Sometimes by just sitting down beside us to eat
their meal gave us the sense of comfort that it will be OK,
we will work something out. Those were always Tammy, the
director's, famous words to me.
All things are good today. I live in a boarding house
with non-profit housing and I love it there. My world is a
better place today because of Mary's Home, Sister Theresa
and the kind staff. They gave me courage, strength and
hope.
I was given a second chance to find the real me. I am
eternally grateful.
In closing I would like to tell the story of the bumble
bee where he is aerodynamically incapable of flight but he
makes his impossible dreams possible. If you want it, go
and get it. Listen to the wisdom deep inside and fly. What
the caterpillar calls the end, we call the butterfly.
Thank you and God Bless " Laura Papaioannou March
22, 2007
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