True Stories from Vulnerable Seniors on the North Shore:
Hollyburn Family Service Society has been a great help in our time of extreme need due to cancer. If not for great services, my wife and I would still be living on the street.
I found the practical efficiency of my Outreach worker essential to my mental well-being. I honestly feel that the service she gave me was priceless.
I am a senior of 73 years of age, living by myself and unfortunately estranged from my family, I began falling through the cracks socially in 2011. I am so grateful for what Hollyburn has done to help. We had many meetings, and close to where I live so it was not a hardship for me to get there. This brings me to Christmas and I want thank you sincerely for what you all have done for me. I am so thankful. Merry Christmas! I don’t know what might have happened to me without your services.
From day one I have been helped by Leya and Andrea since my first phone call last fall.
Our outreach worker was able to secure social housing for a Farsi speaking senior with limited English, no income, a significant disability and limited work skills.
Story from a Mother – North Shore Youth Safe House:
I am writing this letter in response to my firsthand experience with the North Shore Youth Safe House. Over the past year my son had the occasion to stay [there] several times, for lengthy periods of time.
I cannot express my deep gratitude for the compassionate, professional care and shelter provided by the North Shore Youth Safe House staff. Knowing that there was a safe, clean place on the North Shore where my son could go was such a relief to our family. Having a Youth Safe House located on the North Shore allowed my son to continue going to school and maintain contact with his friends. He would not have gone to a facility anywhere else in the Lower Mainland. The safe house was like a “home” for my son when he could not be with us.
I had the pleasure of meeting and speaking with the staff at North Shore Youth Safe House on many occasions. I always found the staff to be caring, supportive and knowledgeable. The Safe House gave our family so much more than just shelter for my son.
I honestly do not know how our family would have coped without their ongoing assistance and support.