Tony* has been a long-time HELP client, with extensive connections to various services, including the Crisis Diversion Team through Hope Mission and Boyle Street, the Community Outreach Transit Team, the Transit Community Safety Teams, and most recently, the housing outreach team at Bissell. HELP played a crucial role in coordinating these services and ensuring a cohesive approach to Tony’s support.
Tony has faced many challenges in his life. After suffering a work injury and experiencing several debilitating medical issues, he developed an opioid addiction as a way to manage his chronic pain. When HELP first engaged with Tony, he was determined to attend a treatment center for at least six months. Although HELP successfully arranged detox beds at the George Spady Society for him multiple times, the timing was not right due to Tony’s lack of stability. Efforts to place Tony in shelters were unsuccessful at the time because of his mental health issues and mobility challenges. Eventually, Tony was placed in Balwin Permanent Supportive Housing with the George Spady Society.
Tony has been gradually adjusting to his new routine, benefiting from on-site wound care, supportive staff, and a dedicated case manager. He remains interested in detox and is hopeful that with the assistance of his new team, he can improve his income to reduce panhandling, manage his pain with medical support, and decrease his reliance on illicit opioids. HELP will continue to support Tony through this transition while the case managers at Balwin develop a comprehensive plan for him. Recently, with HELP’s assistance, Tony obtained ID at the Navigation Centre to finalize his housing arrangements. He has also been connected to Radius Health and will soon see a physician at the Native Healing Centre.
We are thrilled to see Tony move off the streets and into supportive housing and wish him all the best in his journey toward recovery.
*Name and other identifying information changed for privacy.
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