As one of ehm’s original tenants, Kim has called our Adelaide Residence home for the past 15 years. For a long time, Kim was living in hostels and temporary, unstable housing. When she heard on the news about a new apartment building that was being opened by an agency called Evangel Hall Mission, she thought that this might be the chance for her to get her own safe, and affordable home in the city. She applied and was thrilled to hear that an apartment in this brand new building, was going to become her own. And for the last 15 years, ehm has been her home. Her neighbours became her friends. Staff became part of her support system. Kim became part of the community.
The pandemic has been especially difficult for her. Kim’s health issues make her vulnerable to COVID-19, making the last year extremely stressful. On top of everything, she lost her mom and cat. What helped her get through these challenges were the extra supports and services ehm gave to her.
Because of the risks due to COVID-19, it was difficult for Kim to get groceries. She wasn’t alone – during the first few months of the pandemic, many tenants found it difficult to get food. Grocery stores were stressful. Food banks and community meals were closed. Staff recognized that there was a growing food crisis, and created a delivery program. Meals were brought to tenants’ apartments daily, allowing Kim and other tenants, to shelter in place – with at least one hot, nutritious meal. As the seasons changed, Kim didn’t always have clothes to match the weather. Staff got her shoes that fit and the clothing she needed from donations to ehm’s Clothing Bank. One thing Kim really values is the work ehm did to make sure personal support workers and nurses could continue their visits at ehm, something that helped her neighbours stay healthy and keep up with their care.
For Kim, having people like Rev. Dale part of her support system has really helped her breakthrough the loneliness. Their relationship means a lot to her because she can more easily connect with him than with some of the younger staff at ehm. They’re often seen laughing.
Looking ahead, Kim’s main focus is her health. Living at ehm is critical for her because she can stay close to her specialists and health care team, and her friends are just a few doors away. Moving in to ehm 15 years ago marked the start of living somewhere Kim truly felt safe and secure, which she says she has yet to experience anywhere else. No matter how big or small the obstacles she faces, she knows that ehm will be there for her as long as she needs.
“ehm is my secure spot. There’s a lot of benefits to living at ehm, like the staff and programs. I feel safe and supported here.”
-Kim, ehm resident