Matthew (not his real name) is a senior who lives alone in an apartment in Downtown Vancouver. When Matthew was referred to the Adult Guardianship Program by a community nurse, he had accumulated lot of debt and had not paid his rent for four months. He had been served an eviction notice, and a collection agency was calling him all the time for his outstanding bills. All this put him under lot of stress and his health had started to significantly deteriorate. One of the program’s Financial Aid Workers talked to the apartment building manager and was successful in getting the eviction notice revoked with a promise that Matthew would clear his outstanding rents in small instalments over a period of time. She also called the collection agency to let them know that now the program was administering Matthew’s finances and they should contact St. James rather than calling Matthew. A budget was set up for Matthew that allows him to pay his current bills while also clearing the outstanding rents and bills in small instalments. He now lives peacefully in his apartment without having to worry about his financial situation. Without the Adult Guardianship Program, Matthew would likely have lost his apartment and joined the growing numbers of seniors who are now finding themselves homeless.

Working with the program has enabled me to build strong relationships with a number of our clients and their care facilities over the years. It gives me immense personal satisfaction to help seniors who are so vulnerable to financial abuse and are having such problems in managing their finances. Managing someone else’s finances is a challenging and responsible job and I strive to live up to my clients’ expectations.

Linda — Financial Aid Worker

Sarah (not her real name) was a long-time resident in the Downtown Eastside. She had been forced to retire from work because of a healthcare condition that left her using crutches. When she was initially referred to Home Support by the local health clinic, she needed a few hours a week of support to assist with daily living tasks such as laundry and housekeeping. She lived in local subsidized housing, but after she was diagnosed with cancer, she found it harder to cope. Our staff helped her apply for a room in a building with more support, but as her illness worsened and Sarah gradually became less independent, she needed more help. One of the program’s care supervisors spent time with her explaining how more assistance could be provided, and eventually, care workers helped her daily with dressing, washing, meal preparation, and visits to the doctor. With additional assistance from the program’s nurse, she was also helped to crush and take her medications. As her illness became terminal, staff assisted her to make the transition to May’s Place Hospice, where passed away peacefully. Over 8 years the Home Support program helped her stay living independently in her community rather than be transferred to long-term care or hospital – the quality of life and economic benefits of which are both enormous.

Coordinating all our staff and clients is a huge task. But when you get a note or a call from someone saying what a difference their worker has made in their lives, I’m reminded that all the effort, especially those little extra things we do, the things we could easily say are ‘not our job’, really are worth it.

Wen — Care Supervisor

Fred (not his real name) had originally lived in Vancouver’s Chinatown after emigrating from Mainland China, and still lived with his extended family in East Vancouver. His daughter and grandchildren cared for him at home during much of his long illness, but eventually found they were unable to provide the level of support he needed. Fred didn’t want to be a burden, but his family didn’t want him to be admitted to the hospital. When they toured Cottage Hospice they immediately felt that the homelike setting and philosophy of comfort-care was what Fred needed.Fred stayed at Cottage in his own room for nearly two months. All his medical needs were attended to by the caring staff as his condition slowly changed. His family could come to visit him at any time, and they often brought him his favourite foods. Because Fred’s English was limited staff arranged for volunteer translators from a local multicultural organization to visit the hospice. During Fred’s stay at the hospice the program Social Worker spent time with his family supporting them with their grief and loss.

I’m inspired every day by the professionalism and compassion of our nurses and care aides. I observe how they engage with the medical, physical and emotional challenges of facing sickness and death: always remaining calm, positive, joyful. I see how each of them brings forward their own individual style of caring – with open hands and open hearts.

Christine — Program Assistant

Michael (not his real name) started experiencing major mental illness in his early twenties. He had a young family and a good job, but quickly became unable to cope. He left home and ended up in Vancouver, homeless and vulnerable. Twenty years later, Michael now has permanent housing within one of St. James’ supported residences. Staff from the housing program work in close liaison with Michael’s clinical case manager and psychiatrist from the local mental health team, and his mental health is now both improved and more stable. He’s been supported to develop an exercise regime and give up smoking to help improve his physical health. Recently Michael also found part-time work to supplement his disability benefit payments. Perhaps most heartening of all, Michael now has a good relationship with his children. Michael helps everyone appreciate that the concept of “recovery” from mental illness – the ability to live well in the presence or absence of one’s mental illness – is both real and possible.

Our residents often feel anxious due to the stigma attached to mental illness. I cannot express with words the feeling that I experience when I realize that my presence helps to relieve this fear and uncertainty.

Fatima — Mental Health Worker

Wendy (not her real name) first used Powell Place shelter 15 years ago after she’d become involved with a man who was abusive. She started using alcohol and drugs, and her children were taken into foster care. She was working in the sex trade to support both her and her partner’s drug habit. Periodically, she would flee to the safety of Powell Place, to escape the violence. Treated with respect, dignity, and compassion Wendy began to talk with staff about making changes in her life. Eventually they helped arrange for her to get into a recovery and counselling program away from the DTES. She was clean and sober for several years. Staff heard from Wendy again just a few years ago. Tragically, her life was in crisis again. One of her children had passed away, and she now had a very serious physical health condition. Staff supported to get treatment and arranged for her to live at Cordova House, one of St. James’ supported housing buildings. She recently moved on into completely independent housing where she can manage her health and where she’s connected to her family and community.

I love my work because I have been exactly where many of the women who access Powell Place are in their lives. All I wanted was for someone to listen to my story without judgment. When I can help give women their voices back it is the greatest feeling of satisfaction.

Deborah — Shelter Outreach Worker