Appeal
Progress Place Holiday letter
Dear Friend of Progress Place,
In this unprecedented year, it may have felt that at times Rays of Hope were a little harder to find.
Take a closer look, and the truth of the matter is, they have been there all along.
It was Rays of Hope that fuelled Progress Place’s resolve to make sure that even in the face of a pandemic, we would continue to be there providing critical supports for individuals living with mental illness, an especially vulnerable population during this health crisis.
These Rays of Hope strengthened Progress Place’s response to the pandemic in re-imagining a physically-distanced program delivery, including our meal delivery program, providing meals and food security to those living on the margins, while also checking-in and reducing social isolation during the pandemic. It was with Rays of Hope that we extended the Warm Line’s hours of operation to broaden our reach in supporting those feeling lonely or isolated during these challenging times; and it was Rays of Hope that energized the extensive offering of virtual support meetings and reach out calls to keep members connected with their Progress Place community. More recently, these Rays of Hope helped lead our gradual and safe re-opening to provide on-site programming while ensuring all COVID-19 protocols are being followed.
You see, just as these Rays of Hope have always been there, so too has Progress Place.
This past November, Progress Place hosted the very first Virtual Canadian Clubhouse Conference, appropriately themed “Rays of Hope: Creating Thriving Clubhouse Communities in Changing Times”. Clubhouses from across Canada and beyond shared their experiences of resourcefulness and agility in responding to the pandemic. What was most remarkable was the strength and determination of each Clubhouse Community to rise to the challenge of the pandemic and ensure that critical programs and supports continued to be there for individuals living with mental illness. Just like Rays of Hope, the Clubhouse Community has always been there.
One of the speakers at the conference was Progress Place member Sophia, who shared her courageous story of recovery and how at a dark time in her life, Progress Place was her Ray of Hope - and how she in turn has now become a Ray of Hope for others:
I was 40 years old, living downtown and working as a freelance costume designer. I started not being able to sleep and soon became disoriented. I started isolating myself from friends and family and was also talking to myself.
I realized something wasn’t right. I didn’t know what was wrong, but felt I needed my family. I decided to go see my Mom. I was disoriented and was stopped by the police for jaywalking.
The police realized that I was not okay and asked if there was anyone they could call. I called my Mom who recognized that something was wrong and took me to the hospital. I spent a week in the psychiatric unit and was diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder and given pills to manage my illness.
When discharged, my family didn’t want me at home, as they struggled to accept my diagnosis. I felt alone and isolated. I was living in rooming houses and eventually I stopped taking my medication. I was hospitalized again and this time I was there for two weeks. I made a pact with my doctor that I would take my medication.
My sister agreed to have me back at the house and things were good for a while. But I went off my medication again. My Mom said it was just like having diabetes, if you don’t take your medication you get sick. Thinking about it in those terms worked! I started to feel like the illness wasn’t controlling me. I made the move back
to the city, but it was lonely. I was living in a tiny apartment with just a hot plate. I was feeling isolated.
A colleague of my psychiatrist suggested I check out Progress Place.
I realized something wasn’t right. I didn’t know what was wrong, but felt I needed my family. I decided to go see my Mom. I was disoriented and was stopped by the police for jaywalking.
The police realized that I was not okay and asked if there was anyone they could call. I called my Mom who recognized that something was wrong and took me to the hospital. I spent a week in the psychiatric unit and was diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder and given pills to manage my illness.
When discharged, my family didn’t want me at home, as they struggled to accept my diagnosis. I felt alone and isolated. I was living in rooming houses and eventually I stopped taking my medication. I was hospitalized again and this time I was there for two weeks. I made a pact with my doctor that I would take my medication.
My sister agreed to have me back at the house and things were good for a while. But I went off my medication again. My Mom said it was just like having diabetes, if you don’t take your medication you get sick. Thinking about it in those terms worked! I started to feel like the illness wasn’t controlling me. I made the move back
to the city, but it was lonely. I was living in a tiny apartment with just a hot plate. I was feeling isolated.
A colleague of my psychiatrist suggested I check out Progress Place.
When I came to Progress Place, it wasn’t what I expected. It was so welcoming and had such a sense of community, different than the clinical settings that I was used to. I started helping out in the Café Unit and the Boutique. I could feel my confidence growing. I started to have hope and was thinking about my future. I started thinking about giving back and being able to use my experiences to help others. I spoke with my support worker at Progress Place about going back to school. I was worried that my brain might not work the same, but the support from the Clubhouse helped me take that step. I wouldn’t know unless I tried. I decided to apply for the Social Service Worker program at George Brown College. The Clubhouse connected me with grants and the College’s accessibility department. I was nervous going back, but quickly realized it was the right choice. |
The Clubhouse was supportive and it was helpful to be able to receive support around not just my education, but my mental health as well. During my second and final year of school I saw a posting for an independent part time job in my field. I applied and got the job! I was so excited to work in my field, but was thinking about what was next. I had always thought about university but felt my time had run out. I spoke with my worker at Progress Place and applied to university for General Arts and Science, and I was accepted! I started this past September and I am continuing to work at my job.
Throughout this time I continued to struggle with my housing. I was spending a lot of money on take-out when I couldn’t get to the Clubhouse, as there wasn’t much you could cook on a hot plate. Then one day I received a call from the Clubhouse. I had applied for housing and there was a vacancy. I took it and now live in a wonderful apartment with the support of the Clubhouse!
All the pieces have come together, and my end goal is to finish my degree and get a dog.
It is a surprise to me that I’ve come this far. I have such a deep appreciation for my journey and the people who have helped along the way. Before I could only see day-to-day, now I see the future ahead of me. Even in a pandemic, I am so grateful to be working and going to school to fulfill my dreams. I felt I had lost my voice and the Clubhouse supported me in finding it again!”
Throughout this time I continued to struggle with my housing. I was spending a lot of money on take-out when I couldn’t get to the Clubhouse, as there wasn’t much you could cook on a hot plate. Then one day I received a call from the Clubhouse. I had applied for housing and there was a vacancy. I took it and now live in a wonderful apartment with the support of the Clubhouse!
All the pieces have come together, and my end goal is to finish my degree and get a dog.
It is a surprise to me that I’ve come this far. I have such a deep appreciation for my journey and the people who have helped along the way. Before I could only see day-to-day, now I see the future ahead of me. Even in a pandemic, I am so grateful to be working and going to school to fulfill my dreams. I felt I had lost my voice and the Clubhouse supported me in finding it again!”
Sophia’s powerful story is one of resilience and hope. In this unprecedented year, please help illuminate the road to recovery for others with your donation to Progress Place. Your support will help Progress Place continue to be a Ray of Hope for individuals living with mental illness, who are particularly vulnerable during this health crisis.
Wishing you a healthy and safe holiday season.
Sincerely,
Criss Habal-Brosek
Executive Director
P.S. Even a pandemic hasn’t stopped the resourceful team of members and staff behind Progress Place’s podcast, ‘Radio Totally Normal Toronto’. They have been hard at work meeting virtually to produce interesting and engaging podcast episodes, including the most recent episode in celebration of World Mental Health Day, highlighting Progress Place’s impact on the lives of people living with mental illness in these challenging times. Find this episode and more at radiototallynormaltoronto.org or any other podcast streaming services such as Spotify, Google Podcasts and Apple Podcasts.