Rachel’s Story
Rachel’s path to a stable home at Onward’s new Killarney building was full of challenges and unexpected turns.
After years working at a meat processing plant in High River, she felt stuck and depressed. Hoping for a fresh start, she accepted a friend’s offer to move to Fort McMurray and work at an oil sands camp. But the job never materialized, and the friend who had offered her a place to stay became violent. After calling the police, Rachel sought refuge at the Mustard Seed women’s shelter.
Determined to rebuild, Rachel applied for jobs and apartments. One day walking by a local business, on impulse, she asked a man in the parking lot if they were hiring. He turned out to be the CEO, and he hired her the next day to work at his warehouse, pricing merchandise. This stability provided a turning point for Rachel.
Through a new coworker who had previously worked at Onward, Rachel learned about Onward’s housing options. She toured the Killarney apartment and was amazed. “It was so new and so nice, I kept thinking, ‘what’s the catch?’.”
The affordable rent provided Rachel with a way out of the shelter. She moved into her studio apartment in June, and loves the secure building, patio, and convenient location. Her favourite part is having a dishwasher and the freedom to cook and entertain friends. “My apartment is just so perfect, sometimes I can’t believe it. Being able to move in here was a ‘pinch me’ moment,” she says.
While the process of starting over has had some challenges, Rachel relishes the stability and comfort of her new space. The Mustard Seed had even helped her with the first month’s rent and a Walmart gift card to get her started. “When they told me that, the smile didn’t leave my face for quite some time,” she says.
Rachel says she’s so grateful to be able to rebuild her life in a place she can truly call Home.
“Sometimes I wake up and can’t believe I live here,” she says. “If it were not for Onward, I would probably still be living in a shelter. It all just worked out for me.”
