Commentary, Opinion

Monthly Message: CONTACT Amanda’s story

March 12, 2026   ·   0 Comments

Often, when a community member comes to CONTACT for support, the request is multi-layered. A request for more affordable housing options may lead to the need for a better-paying job and the appropriate attire for a job interview. In moments like these, the unwavering support of a cohesive team working in collaboration can alleviate a highly stressful situation.

CONTACT recognizes that challenges such as housing insecurity, unemployment, and social isolation are deeply interconnected. By offering coordinated services under one roof, CONTACT reduces barriers and creates clear pathways toward independence, dignity, and community connection.

For close to 50 years, CONTACT has been providing these wraparound services in our community.  CONTACT’s Clothes Line stores, Housing supports and Employment services, as well as our free Seniors programming, work closely together to provide creative solutions to assist people with critical needs.  In 2024, CONTACT opened our first 24/7 supportive rapid rehousing program, taking a holistic approach to providing a full suite of supports to unhoused seniors, creating opportunities for them to rebuild and thrive.

Working together as a team is CONTACT’s greatest strength.  Our ‘one-stop shopping’ model helps families and individuals access many of the services they need to improve their lives and those of their families.

An individual who comes to CONTACT to find affordable housing may also need to find a better-paying job and may need appropriate clothing for job interviews through our Clothes Line stores.  These services are provided through a dignity-driven model that supports our clients with compassion. We cover all the bases toward success.

Our employee-driven Diversity, Equity and Inclusion committee is a driving force in our organization, ensuring everyone in our community receives compassionate care so they can work toward a brighter, more stable future. ‘A place where everyone matters’ is written above the entrance doors at our Clothes Line store in Alliston. That alone symbolizes our inclusive and supportive mission.

An example of CONTACT’s wraparound, supportive services is illustrated in Amanda’s story. Amanda is a single mother of three children who was facing significant barriers to securing stable, affordable housing. Despite being qualified and eager to work, she had struggled to find suitable daycare support, which, combined with the challenge of managing her family on a limited income, had made it difficult for her to secure employment.

Amanda received crucial wraparound support from CONTACT, including financial assistance for childcare, which enabled her to dedicate time and attention to her job search and find employment to stabilize her income. Our employment team then worked closely with our housing department to help Amanda find stable, affordable housing, providing a foundation for her family’s future.

Amanda frequently says that without CONTACT’s support, she wouldn’t have made it through those challenging times. Thanks to the help she has received, Amanda and her family are now safely housed, independent and on the path to stability and renewal.

There are more mothers, fathers and families in our community that need our assistance. Now more than ever, the need for these supports is critical. Affordable housing is scarce, grocery prices are skyrocketing, and families are making tough decisions to keep their families safe and secure. Requests for basic needs are on the rise. These may include transportation for a local senior to get to a doctor’s appointment, assistance finding a job to support their family, more affordable housing options and clothing and housewares to set up a new space. The requests are endless, and the need for support is vital. Everyone has their own story.

Through our Hope Chest fund, driven by community donations, CONTACT has been better able to provide urgent, unique supports in these stressful times that otherwise wouldn’t be available through other funding models. CONTACT needs support from our community to effectively continue providing comprehensive wraparound services to our neighbours. This support will help individuals and families achieve long‑term stability through integrated housing, employment, access to essentials, and seniors’ inclusive programming. 

Please consider making a donation to our Hope Chest fund through our website, https://www.contactcommunityservices.ca/donate-now/ or by e-transfer to donations@contactcommunityservices.ca.

Together, we can build a strong, stable and thriving community where everyone matters.

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