These are some of the faces of those we helped over the years. You can be a part of their success.
Madison has helped me to feel included in Canadian society.
I came to Canada from Iran as Government Assisted Refugee last year. When I arrived to Canada, I was dealing with a lot of issues and I therefore began to feel very depressed and anxious. I was living in a very small basement unit with my roommate. I was not able to move out of that place due to my limited income and I also endured discrimination and rejection for housing several times due to my sexual orientation and race. My Madison-RISE Case Manager helped me to get housed through Toronto Community Housing Corporation (TCHC) by successfully placing me on a priority list. In addition, my Madison-RISE Case Manager assisted me with applying and getting approved for ODSP. She also connected me to a health centre so I have been able to meet a physician and counsellor regularly through the center. She has as well accompanied me to a lot of places for language and emotional supports and has helped me to register for an English class. Madison has helped me to feel included in Canadian society as I was able to participate in several of their programs and social recreation events which has helped me in not only get to know the culture better, but also make new friends and have more of a social life.
With Madison staff help and support I have come a very long way to the stability that I have today.
When I came to Madison I was not doing well at all. I was depressed, and very sick with Parkinson. Plus after 24 years of marriage my husband asked for separation. With Madison staff help and support I have come a very long way to the stability that I have today, including but not limited to housing and financial aid from social services. Also Madison staff have encouraged and supported me to get out of isolation and to participate in social recreation activities to the point that I could enjoy life and other people’s company. Then I started to work through Madison Clerical Program that was a very big change in my life. And last but not least I started taking classes at college using Madison Bursary program. I am still studying and I feel active, happy and alive again. I was very shy, now I am in college studying a certificate program. Thank you Madison, you saved me.
The best of all is that I have received these service in Spanish, my mother tongue.
I have been suffering from severe depression for several years, to the point that I isolated myself. I didn’t want to get up or interact with anyone until I started receiving case management services from Madison Community Services. My case manager encouraged me to attend the Hispanic, Art, and Women groups. She also supported me in applying for the bursary fund and I successfully finished Compassion Cultivation Training. All of these things have positively affected my mental health; now I socialize with people that face similar challenges as me, I learn to accept myself, and to enjoy life as it is right now. The best of all is that I have received these service in Spanish, my mother tongue. I’m very thankful for Madison and my case manager.
I was both mentally and emotionally supported by my RISE case manager that facilitated my recovery journey.
I came to Canada almost 3 years ago and as a newcomer I faced so many challenges for which my settlement worker at COSTI referred me to the RISE program at Madison. When I met with my worker for the first time I was going through health issues and I had to undergo some medical procedures, which made me feel emotionally down. During this difficult period of my life time, I was both mentally and emotionally supported by my RISE case manager that facilitated my recovery journey. I was interested to take an education program which I had hoped would help me build my future career. Madison’s Bursary Fund afforded me to take the program, a makeup course and I was able to obtain a certificate in it. I also attended Madison’s Art Expression which helped me to release my stress through the production of art work and paintings. My RISE worker also supported me to manage everything following my financial struggle after I faced identity theft and bank fraud. Today I feel strong and determined to achieve all of my goals, in order to establish a great life in my new country Canada. Without the support I received from my RISE worker/program, I wouldn’t feel the way I do now.
I found the tenants in the [Madison] house to be like me; learning to cope with an illness and trying to make life better.
Since I’ve been with Madison, the workers there have helped me a lot. When I lived in a Madison house, I found the tenants in the house to be like me; learning to cope with an illness and trying to make life better. The housing workers would hold meetings to resolve problems between the tenants or to fix a problem with the clothes dryer. Even though I do live in a Madison house, I continue to get a visit to help me with an appointment or dealing with my bills. Thank you Madison!
Never give up hope because there’s always light at the end of the tunnel.
I just wanted to thank Michele and Madison for placing me at the Craigh Leigh House. Not only are the clients very nice, but the people there treat me like my own family and my family relationships have improved since I have moved there. Thank you very much Michele and Madison for making this experience a positive one. Ever since I met Michele and started working with her, we hit it off. I feel like we have common ground and she is so nice to me. I feel like I can tell her anything and she helps me when I tell her my problems and troubles. Before living in the Craigh Leigh house, I used to live with my family. When I wanted to be more independent and improve my relationship with my family, Michele helped me move into one of the Madison houses. Now I am so happy to be living there, and working as a team with the others there to do chores and we also respect one another. I think that I am a success story because I have been out of the hospital for 3 years. Although there is a lot of stigma about schizophrenia, I don’t see it as a label anymore. Instead, I tell people to focus on positive traits like being a kind and hardworking person, because people with this condition still deserve to show their talents and work hard. I want to end this with a message that happiness and health go a long way, one is useless without the other. Never give up hope because there’s always light at the end of the tunnel.
It makes me cry when I think of the help I have received since joining Madison.
Since I have been with Madison, I have found enthusiasm in starting again in my new country of Canada. I have been taking continuing education classes at George Brown College, starting in level 5 English Comprehension and will soon move up to level 8. It makes me cry when I think of the help I have received since joining Madison. Thank you for accepting me in the Bursary Program and for the kindness I have received here at Madison.
Madison helped to show me my full potential.
I have been a client of Madison Community Services for the last 4-5 years. When I became a client I was very confused and did not know what I wanted to do with my life. Then I decided to go back to school, and Madison paid for the tuition and I completed the course with honors. Madison has always been there for me no matter good or bad, and they have always supported me. I would not be where I am today without all of their support, guidance, understanding, encouragement, and motivation as well as all of the staff. Over the years, I have accomplished and completed numerous courses and have improved my life and been in my housing for the past ten years. I am extremely appreciative of Madison for showing me that I can do anything I would like to do as long as I put my mind to it. Madison helped to show me my full potential. There are a few people that I would like to say thank you to, they are Alexis, John, Yvonne, Jean, and Sandra. Today, my life is totally different. I am now working and I am starting to find my true self. Thanks a lot guys!
