After being granted full parole, Lillian was living independently in her own place and doing her best to reintegrate into the community. Then she received some bad news: Her leg needed to be amputated. In addition to the challenges of surgery and recovery, she would have to find a new place to live. Her home, accessed by 20 stairs, was no longer safe for her.
Lillian’s parole officer suggested she contact NOLA (No One Leaves Alone), our community reintegration support program.
Allyson Johnson, a Program Leader with NOLA, met with Lillian and her parole officer. They made some calls and found a wheelchair-accessible suite at a temporary housing facility run by Elizabeth Fry.
“Without NOLA’s help I would’ve been in a shelter.” Lillian said, “Their kindness, knowledge, and support have meant the world to me.”
Lillian has been staying at the Elizabeth Fry facility for a month, but it is a short-term solution. Her name is on a waiting list for affordable, accessible housing. The list, however, is long, and there are only a few spots that can accommodate people with disabilities.
We want Lillian to find a place that’s accessible and affordable, and we need your help. We have established a special fund to help Lillian transition to long-term housing. We invite you to donate to this fund. Let’s help Lillian find a long-term home!
In addition to housing expenses, like rent and deposit, the fund will be used to help Lillian meet her practical needs, like food, medicine, and household furnishings. Our goal is $5,000. Anything extra will go toward supporting other NOLA participants.
Moreover, you can also help Lillian by praying for her. Pray that she finds a home that’s affordable and accessible. Pray also that her leg heals fully. Currently she is recovering from an infection related to her surgery.
“She’s trying to live a new life in the community, and because of these extra challenges she’s dependent on the system again, and that’s discouraging for her.” Allyson said. “She needs to know people are praying for her and supporting her.”
Through NOLA, Allyson connected Lillian with M2W2 volunteers, who helped her pack up her belongings and clean out her old place.
Lillian deeply appreciates the encouragement and support she’s received from her NOLA volunteers.
“They helped in a dozen different ways.” Lillian said. “When I went into the hospital, they came to visit me. They provided me with support and entertained me when I was feeling down. They were great at communicating with my family and letting them know what was happening.”
If you can, please help Lillian transition to long-term housing. Thank you so much for sharing compassion and love with people here in our province.