Don't believe everything you hear, read, or see when it comes to YWCA Toronto. It isn't as desperate as its employees make it out to be. I get that people make mistakes, but after I share some of my memorable experiences with you you will hopefully see them in the same light that I do.
While living in a shelter is clearly different from living independently in an apartment, living in an apartment through a YWCA Toronto program isn't a walk in the ballpark either. You must sign a one year contract to obtain a unit in one of their buildings in a community chosen by the government and meet with workers at scheduled times agreed upon by you and the program workers. However, I am now on 3 years, having a 3 month grace period when I signed myself out, after begging to be released earlier, and whether I had the break or not, it didn't matter because things picked up where we left off. I remember when I first moved into my now old apartment in the same building. My worker told me she knew someone with furniture and things for starting on my own that she no longer needed and when my worker abruptly left, a new one was assigned but refused to inquire about the items saying they were no longer available. Then her focus shifted to my battles with CAS. And no matter how frustrated I got in messages, or in person over the very mention of CAS, I was not respected enough to have it left alone, so when she showed up for a visit, I escorted her out of my building upon being reminded several times to drop the subject. At that time my brother and his pregnant girlfriend were staying with me. Another visit came, and she refused to meet with me in my apartment while my brother and his girlfriend were there, so we met outside on the porch. I was always asked to watch what I said, how I said it, and to report back, along with running around doing things they should help with or do themselves on top of my own appointments and meetings. We've had countless meetings where we both outline our issues and create guidelines to work through them but after fulfilling all they demand of me without so much as a movement from them, not only is that insulting, its unprofessional and unacceptable and,doesn't really make me wanna subject myself to such toxicity. Then came the shocker!! My 2nd YWCA worker at the time (there was always two assigned) was assigned as the program manager. Another newbie was taking her spot. And another honeymoon phase began. I was not amused. However, at the very mention of Jack Layton, I changed my mind. I had signed so many consents, repeated myself and asked for things well within my rights given my health and nothing was done. I always had to find solutions. I was actually told by a worker that they didn't want to interfere because they knew that I'd find a solution. I asked City of Toronto Councillor Paul Ainslie to come to a meeting with me at their location to re enter their program, but before it happened, they were told I was bringing some people with me for support, but when I didn't reveal names, they cancelled the meeting saying that they needed to know who they were, where they were coming from, why they were coming, because they needed enough chairs. So I called and revealed the names but they then said the meeting was to be them and me, nobody else was welcome and this was the final opportunity to re enter the program. That set the tone of the meeting. I was clearly not amused. And to date, by this blog post, I'm sure you don't need to be told where things between YWCA and I stand. I had them over on Thursday for a home visit. This visit still angers me so I can't describe how I feel yet but once I share it, I'm sure I won't have to explain anything. I was waiting inside the lobby to let them in. All of a sudden I notice my workers and my workers toddler merge from the car. They asked me if I was okay with him joining us,and I said okay, even though it wasn't. He wasn't happy either. The other worker said she was surprised too because she got in the car at Old Mill station and found out that way. According to them,in the ten minutes to my home, they couldn't call to give me heads up. So they arrived and we started. I wasn't allowed to yell,rant, swear, or have deep conversation knowing her toddler was there and this was my space!! The worker took her son out after 15 minutes, and it was just me and my other worker. We talked,but my mind was still trying to process what had just happened. When I was processing thoughts I remembered the Councillor Ainslie meeting rejection and instantly got into fire mode. I emailed my city councillors assistant who responded agreeing with me and said she was going to inquire. YWCA has also been known to celebrate things like Black History Month and Aboriginal month, but for 2 years they haven't and the one time they did, they waited last minute to host events, while other festivities got more attention and were well received. I have a habit of calling things as I see them, and I can't even tell you the comebacks that are tossed my way!! I have been risking my health doing their jobs while they get away with causing me great amounts of distress. I have a shunt in my head and too much stress and movement isn't good for my shunt which all my workers have repeatedly been told along with everything else. But it never matters how many times I express myself, because I still end up doing it. I asked them a year and a half ago to start emailing property management regarding N4 notices but they just started doing that this past December. I've had meetings with them at their office that takes an hour and twenty minutes to get to, but left after 8 minutes because I refused to let them control me. I've already spoken to people about this, and the reaction I get about Councillor Ainslie being excluded and getting away with bringing a toddler to my home is absolutely priceless!! I wrote out my issues I've had with them over the past 3 years but wanted this much out first, so please share the hell outta this to let people know the truth about the YWCA. Oh and by the way, the manager of the program I'm in which is now cut, isn't in charge so now like before when in the middle of management changes, they do as they please. In fact, that was exactly what Nina had said recently and that although they supposedly get me and know what I'm about, they don't always have their "s***" together and let things slip. Oh and don't even get me started on their white erase board in their office, out in the open, with client initials,and personal tasks to do with or for the client or that the client must do, which I've already expressed frustration over for breach of confidentiality, but has since been put back up. Feel free to share, and let me know your thoughts. @politicalnative on Twitter
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