“When you’re homeless you’re always told not to be somewhere. When you are told that enough, you begin to feel like you don’t belong anywhere.” 

“I never thought I would have a chance to have what I have here,” says Mark Cullain.

Mark has been growing tomatoes in the garden behind his home at Onward’s Crossroads Court building this summer. Last year, Mark didn’t have his own home and most definitely did not have a place to garden.

“Anthonian Court is a great place to live for me. It’s close to the LRT and to shopping in a nice neighbourhood. I’m very happy here.”

When the first family moved into Columbus Place, in December of 2013, Guillermo was very excited for Christmas. The nine-year-old boy who loved Lego and Star Wars already had the best present he could ask for — a home.

After a tumultuous period that included obtaining guardianship of Lili, her three-year-old granddaughter, abruptly losing the home she was renting, and finding herself living in shelter with Lili amidst a global health pandemic, the year ended positively for this resilient grandmother and granddaughter duo.

Catherine was unable to afford her rent. On her search for affordable housing, she found Columbus Place and Onward.

Marcos has been enjoying spending summer days with his granddaughters while their parents are at work. Each morning, he picks them up and brings them to his apartment for a fun day of adventures with their ‘Abuelo’.

If you walk into Carroll Place on any Saturday afternoon, you will find a vibrant group of women in the lounge sharing baked goods, stories and plenty of laughter. They spend the afternoon socializing while knitting a wide array of colourful masterpieces.

Blaine, an Onward tenant, shares his journey of personal growth thanks to the stability he experienced since securing an affordable home.

Rachelle is a single mom and Onward tenant who has persevered through hardship for the sake of her daughter’s future.

Many amazing stories of tenant strength, courage, and determination live within the walls of Onward’s affordable homes. One such tenant, Denise, has agreed to share her remarkable story with us.

Marilyn Shingoose, an Onward tenant, is a proud First Nations Elder from Cote Band, Treaty 4. Although she never learned to speak her native language, she tells us wistfully her name in Saulteaux is Colourful Sky.