Margaret’s

For as little as $10 you can show your vulnerable neighbours, that we're all in this together. Help us CURB the spread. Help us CURB hunger. Help us provide the most basic of needs. Help us fulfill our mission to meet people where they are at. So no one gets left behind.

As many as 40% of the homeless suffer from chronic problems such as heart disease, emphysema, diabetes, high blood pressure and musculoskeletal disorders. Hypertension is estimated to occur 2 to 4 times more among the homeless than the general population. A substantial number of the homeless population has multiple problems that are compounded by a lack of proper medical attention on a regular basis. . . #poverty #Canada #housing #housingcrisis #housingfirst #homeless #homelessness #homelessnessawareness #mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #torontocharity #notforprofit #torontononforprofit #cityoftoronto #nonprofit #margarets

Former prisoners are among the heaviest users of shelter services and are generally in the shelter system for more than six months. They have a 30% chance of spending more than one year in a shelter (Springer et al., 1998). . . . #criminaljustice #toronto #mentalhealth #poverty #Canada #housing #housingfirst #homeless #homelessnessawareness #mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #torontocharity #notforprofit #torontononforprofit #cityoftoronto #nonprofit #margarets

Homeless people face health problems similar to those faced by the general population, but at much higher rates. There are several factors that negatively affect the health of homeless people: . . Homelessness increases a person’s exposure to infectious and communicable diseases (e.g. tuberculosis)... . . Homelessness is a severely stressful existence, and severe stress can trigger genetic dispositions to diseases (e.g. hypertension) . . Long periods of malnutrition can cause some chronic conditions (e.g.anemia and various degenerative bone diseases) . . There is a higher likelihood of experiencing violence or trauma on the street or in a shelter . . Difficult living conditions also result in poor hygiene, inadequate diets, exposure to the elements, lack of sleep and physical injuries . . #poverty #Canada #housing #housingcrisis #housingfirst #homeless #homelessness #homelessnessawareness #mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #torontocharity #notforprofit #torontononforprofit #cityoftoronto #nonprofit #margarets #toronto See more

Homelessness is not a single problem nor does it affect people in the same way. What homeless people have in common is: . . the need for adequate housing, a secure, safe place to live and to call home .... . the need for enough money to live on, a job or adequate social assistance. . . Some homeless people also need specialized support services, short- or longer-term assistance with addiction or physical or mental health problems. . . #poverty #Canada #housing #housingcrisis #housingfirst #homeless #homelessness #homelessnessawareness #mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #torontocharity #notforprofit #torontononforprofit #cityoftoronto #nonprofit #margarets #toronto See more

There are 35,000 Canadians who experience homelessness every night, and they are at a crossroads as fall and winter quickly approach. The COVID-19 pandemic proves that policy can change quickly in crisis. All levels of government have the ability to develop and implement a prescription for the end of homelessness in Canada. The time to fill that prescription is now.... #homeless #homelessness #homelessnessawareness #homelesslivesmatter #homelessshelter #HomelessNotHopeless #RecoveryForAll

A one-billion-dollar plan calls for 3,000 new permanent, affordable homes, and funding to assist 2,000 of these residents with the supports required to maintain stable housing. It’s a plan that would mean a path out of homelessness for those who have had to rely on the shelter system as long-term housing. #HousingIsAHumanRight #housingfirst #toronto #homelessness #homeless #nonprofit #margarets

Community-based mental health services play an important role. Homelessness could be drastically reduced if people with severe mental illness were able to access supportive housing as well as other necessary community supports. They encounter more barriers to employment and tend to be in poorer health than other people experiencing homelessness. Housing outreach services that provide a safe place to live are a vital component of stabilizing the illness and helping individuals... on their journey to recovery. . . . #kindness #compassion #hope #womenshomelessness #shelter #abuse #toronto #VAW #poverty #homelessness #antiviolence #toronto #mentalhealth #poverty #Canada #housing #housingfirst #homeless #homelessnessawareness #mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #torontocharity #notforprofit #torontononforprofit #cityoftoronto #nonprofit #margarets See more

Be the change you want to see in the world. Let’s celebrate the day by spreading compassion, kindness and hope in the face of hate. So that we may shape a more peaceful future together. . . #peaceday #peace #worldpeace #kindness #compassion #hope #toronto

Roxie Danielson, a street nurse working in Toronto, took her work outside once COVID-19 cases started to climb. She takes us along as she tries to help homeless clients who have found themselves in a dire situation, exacerbated by a pandemic.

LGBTQ2S+ people face stressors that are unique, including the experience of discrimination and institutional prejudice. Studies and surveys have shown many LGB people have thought about or have attempted suicide. . . What can we do to reduce the risk? .... . Effective mental health care . Community and school support . Strong relationships with family and friends . Self-awareness and acceptance . Independence of thought (ability to see past the traditional views of society) . . #LGBTQ2S+ #suicideprevention #antiviolence #mentalhealth #mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #torontocharity #notforprofit #torontononforprofit #cityoftoronto #nonprofit #margarets See more

The average monthly cost for each shelter bed the city operates has doubled as a result of the need for physical distancing amid the COVID-19 pandemic and Mayor John Tory says that there is now a solid business case for investing in thousands of new permanent affordable housing units.

People 65 years and older, especially men, have a high risk of suicide. Warning signs in older adults can be difficult to identify, as some changes in behaviour are considered normal and a part of the natural aging process, for example, fewer outings with friends or less exercising and activity. If an older person you know might be experiencing mental health concerns, encourage them and offer to go with them to find mental health support. . . What can older adults do to stay ...mentally healthy? . . Maintain physical and mental health, eating right and exercising a little bit every day. . . Make time for enjoyable activities or hobbies. Have fun and do what you love to do! . . Prioritize relationships. Call, text, or visit friends and family, be sure to stay in touch! Take part in a class or another kind of group activity, at a club or senior’s centre. . . Include activities with purpose and meaning into daily life. Volunteer to support friends or peers in your community. Ask for help when it is needed! When struggling to cope with life, tell a loved one or call the local crisis line. . . . #suicideprevention #BuddyUp #seniorsmentalhealth #mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #notforprofit #torontononforprofit #cityoftoronto #nonprofit #margarets

Societal expectations may discourage men from seeking help when they encounter mental health adversities and instead can drive them to destructive coping strategies. This can put men at greater risk for increased substance use, risk-taking behaviours, anger and frustration, and, too often, suicide. As a society, we must get better at reaching out to men. Individually, we can create a safe space, through open, non-judgmental conversation and gentle questioning for men to share and express emotions. If you’re worried about someone, reach out. #suicideprevention #BuddyUp #mensmentalhealth #mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #torontocharity #notforprofit #torontononforprofit #cityoftoronto #nonprofit #margarets

World Suicide Prevention Day is a chance to bring awareness and understanding about suicide: those impacted by a suicide attempt or loss, family or friends, charitable organizations, professionals, politicians, volunteers, and community members. Every year, 160 million people worldwide contemplate suicide and, tragically, 800,000 of them die by suicide. This means that more than 159 million people survive suicidal crises every year. #WSPD20 #suicideprevention #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealth

Sweater weather is approaching soon and Margaret's wants your help bundling up. Please consider donating your gently used fall and/or winter clothing items. Donations can be dropped off at our 323 Dundas Street East location. Pick ups can also be arranged for those in the ward 13 area. Contact Margaret's Community Engagement Team (MCET) at (647) 327-3118 or [email protected] for more information or to arrange pick up Tags: ... #donation #donate #MCET #ward13 #margarets #toronto #torontohomelessness #homelessness #mentalhealth #ssha #sdoh #MCETTeam #MargaretsCommunityEngagementTeam #harmreduction #torcen #cityoftoronto #nonprofit #homelessness #covid19 #torontocharity #homelessnessawareness #communityawareness #margarets #cabbagetown See more

Toronto has a severe shortage of quality, affordable housing. The federal and provincial governments have, to varying degrees, disinvested from affordable housing programs, failed to consistently invest in new units, and left social housing stock in an often dangerous state of bad repair. In addition, since 1998, private market rental units in Ontario have not been subject to rent control between tenants, and there is no rent control on newer tenanted units. At the same time..., minimum wages and social assistance programs in Ontario including disability assistance are set below the poverty line by the provincial government. These policy decisions have contributed to a situation in which large numbers of people struggle and often fail to retain a decent place to live. #poverty #Canada #housing #housingcrisis #housingfirst #homeless #homelessness #homelessnessawareness #mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #torontocharity #notforprofit #torontononforprofit #cityoftoronto #nonprofit #margarets

Happy International Day of Charity!!Today we celebrateand acknowledge all those who volunteer, donate, and give back to their communities. Thank youfor all that you do and for being the change you want to see in the world. Your dedication and contributions help to give a voiceto those who may not have one. . . . #charityday #volunteer #giveback #givingback #bethechange #torontocharity #notforprofit #torontononforprofit #nonprofit #margarets

We don’t often acknowledge the daily struggles most newcomers face when integrating into Canadian society. The pressures to find meaningful employment, learn a new language and assimilate into a new culture are just some of the few challenges they have to overcome. Contrary to popular belief, refugees to Canada who are not privately sponsored are given help from settlement agencies to find housing arrangements -- they do not get to jump the waitlists for affordable housing. A...s a result, settlement agencies often look outside of subsidized housing and to the private housing market, which can be risky due to the chance of finding housing that is too expensive, overcrowded or illegally rented. In addition to struggling with the need to find suitable housing, many refugees deal with a number of personal problems such as psychological distress, unemployment, a lack of social capital, language barriers, discrimination, lack of access to transportation and lack of credit history. #immigrantrights #immigrants #imigrantstories #newcomers #refugees #racializedpoverty #racism #poverty #Canada #housing #housingfirst #homeless #homelessness #homelessnessawareness #mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #torontocharity #notforprofit #torontononforprofit #cityoftoronto #nonprofit #margarets

The first step in addressing the disparities that minority women encounter when seeking social services, is to acknowledge that there are institutional barriers that are deeply rooted in the very systems that are meant to provide them relief. While the institutional barriers that exist are sometimes rooted in the agencies and programs themselves, in many cases, the barriers are created and sustained by underlying systemic and structural issues that make it difficult for thes...e agencies and programs to provide services in the ways that they know would best fit the needs of those who use them. In the context of anti violence services and, specifically, Indigenous-led anti-violence services limited access to funding from government and other sources, particularly stable, multi-year funding and not project-based funding, must be recognized as being at the root of the inaccessibility Indigenous women face in seeking safety. (National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls). #womenshomelessness #systemicracism #antiviolence #indigenous #toronto #minoritywomen #mentalhealth #racializedpoverty #racism #poverty #Canada #housing #housingfirst #homeless #homelessness #mentalhealth #torontocharity #notforprofit #torontononforprofit #cityoftoronto

On the snapshot day of April 18, 2018, it was found that amongst women who left the shelter: . . 21% said they were returning to a residence where their abuser continued to live .... . 36% did not know where they were going upon departure (or the facility did not know) . . 18% reported they would be living with friends or relatives . . 11% were entering another VAW shelter . . These growing statistics offer only a small snapshot into the hidden nature of women’s homelessness. At Margaret’s we understand the barriers that women face when they find themselves on the street. That’s why we continue to be committed to offering a continuum of supportive housing tailored to the individual needs of each woman we serve. Our housing options include: High-support transitional housing, Semi-supportive housing, and Congregate kinship housing. . . #womenshomelessness #hiddenhomelessness #shelter #abuse #VAW #poverty #housing #housingfirst #homeless #homelessness #homelessnessawareness #mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #torontocharity #notforprofit #torontononforprofit #cityoftoronto #nonprofit #margarets See more

At Margaret's we see first hand the harsh realities women face while running from abuse. Making the first step to escape their abuser is already such a huge step, only to find themselves homeless and unable to receive the assistance they so desperately need, because of lack of availability. Imagine having to run for your life in the middle of the night to escape being beaten to death. For many, escaping is the time when they would be most at risk of losing their life. You s...how up at the front door of a shelter with nothing but the clothes on your back. You then have to share your story with complete strangers and tell them about the horrors you have experienced, all the while blaming yourself for much of the abuse you have endured. You are then told that the shelter is full. Now what? You will likely return to your abuser, not because you want to but because if you had any other option you would have tried it before coming to a shelter. - Jennifer Lepko, Chief Executive Officer of the YWCA Lethbridge and District (FEWO quoted in Vecchio, 2019) Tags: #womenshomelessness #shelter #abuse #toronto #VAW #poverty #homelessness #antiviolence #toronto #mentalhealth #poverty #Canada #housing #housingfirst #homeless #homelessnessawareness #mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #torontocharity #notforprofit #torontononforprofit #cityoftoronto #nonprofit #margarets