A Safe Place
In April 2004 part of Dan’s long-term vision for safe, affordable housing became a reality. A property at 953 Clonsilla Avenue became available through a partnership with Home Grown Homes and the building was quickly converted into the transition house. This facility meets the basic need of safe and affordable housing for men returning to the community from a correctional institution who are looking for a fresh start and who are willing to be accountable for their conduct.
Individuals on a fixed income often have significant problems finding affordable housing. This is even more difficult for those carrying the stigma of being an “ex-con”. To further complicate matters these individuals often cannot return to their home communities. They have left behind victims, alienated family members, old influences and patterns of behaviour that they need to avoid. For some, the only options left are living on the streets or residing in a homeless shelter.
The length of time that someone stays at our transition house depends on the individual. Mark[i] has been at the house for over three years. Like the other residents he appreciates having a good, clean, affordable place to live. When Mark shares more deeply about his life, the horrors of abuse from youth, and the anger and fear that this generated it helps you to understand what our house really means to him. The most significant thing he says might be the most surprising. “It’s the first place where I’ve felt safe.”
Another resident, Gary, has a story about a random stabbing in the foyer of a Montreal shelter. “It could have been me,” said Gary. Fortunately he was able to keep some chairs between himself and the man with the knife. Substance abuse, violence and theft of personal property are everyday realities that face people living on the streets. The insecurity and instability of this type of environment does nothing to improve the chances of successful reintegration for these individuals into any community.
For many of us it is not easy to imagine what it is like to live with such insecurity. It is a hard reality that when an individual cannot see other options he might re-offend. As Mark said, “A person is going to get their needs met, one way or another.” For someone without community supports going back to prison may seem like a viable option because their basic needs for food, clothing and shelter are met.
In addition to the external stress there is the emotional and mental baggage that many men coming from prison are carrying. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, mental illness, addictions, and a history of abuse are a few of the mitigating factors. Yet we expect them to “get over it” and become a productive member of society.
There are extra problems for those who have been incarcerated for a significant amount of time. Derek has been at the house for two years and before that spent over 20 inside a federal prison. One of his housemates noted that when Derek arrived he had difficulty with self-direction. Having spent so many years in a controlled environment he was lost without the routine. Peterborough Community Chaplaincy offered Derek a safe and supportive environment where he could learn to direct and manage his life. Without the transition house we don’t know where Derek would have ended up. We do know that there are plenty of people on the street who would be more than willing to take advantage of him in his need for direction.
[i] The names of individuals have been changed to protect the privacy of clients and victims.