Alexandra (not her real name) had come a long way. Her statutory release was on the horizon. She had recently transferred from Fraser Valley Institution for Women (FVI) to a halfway house to complete the final seven months of her sentence in the community.
She looked forward to freedom but, suffering from a broken foot and in need of eye surgery, she felt much uncertainty. She needed to find a job and a place to live. She didn’t want to end up on the street or in a shelter.
“I knew that with my health issues I was going to have challenges finding employment,” she said, “and where am I going to find housing?”
She saw a flyer for No One Leaves Alone (NOLA) and reached out.
A Life-Changing Pair of Shoes
NOLA support is designed to meet needs on a case-by-case basis. Staff and volunteers work with participants to support and encourage them in the areas they identify.
Allyson Johnson, a Program and Volunteer Leader at M2W2, met with Alexandra and asked, “How can we help?”
It started with practical support, specifically, a pair of shoes. After prison, Alexandra was rebuilding her life with nothing, so Allyson got her clothing, including a pair of shoes that allowed her to move comfortably while her foot healed.
“That pair of shoes changed my life,” Alexandra said.
Next was transportation. After six months on a waiting list, Alexandra underwent eye surgery. Allyson and Luminita Dudas, also a Program Leader at M2W2, helped her get to and from follow-up appointments, which were a 45-minute drive from the halfway house.
The pair introduced Alexandra to a volunteer, Sandy, who became her primary NOLA supporter. “When we met, I knew it was going to work,” Alexandra said. “We laugh a lot when we’re together. She puts things in perspective for me.”
The two meet regularly for coffee and when Sandy is out of town, she stays in touch via text message.
Of her NOLA team, Alexandra said, “They share my joy and helped me through difficult times.”
Motivated to Find Housing and Employment
While at FVI, Alexandra began to make changes. She ended an abusive relationship and started thinking about the next chapter of her life.
“I’ve never felt like I belonged. I kind of wandered through life, led a very nomadic lifestyle,” Alexandra said. “Somewhere along the line I had an epiphany. I thought, you know what? Life is about more than this.”
“The key is motivation,” Allyson said. “From the word ‘go,’ Alexandra has been motivated and resourceful.”
“I was truly afraid I was going to be homeless at the end of seven months,” Alexandra said. “So I did everything I needed to do.”
She filled out an application for housing through the Elizabeth Fry Society. As time went on her health started to improve. She stayed in touch with staff at Elizabeth Fry and followed through with her application.
In December, Alexandra was offered a studio apartment. It was good news, yet the space was available in January, and she couldn’t move until March. After all her perseverance, she was still in limbo. She had found a home that was safe and affordable — but only after her sentence ended and pension kicked in. Still searching for a job, she wondered how she could hold the apartment until March.
Thankfully, M2W2 was able to help Alexandra with one month’s rent. She moved into her new place at the end of March.
In addition to the rent subsidy, Alexandra recognized the emotional support and encouragement of her NOLA team: “If these women hadn’t been there when things got challenging, I don’t know if I would have followed through the way that I was able to. I am so grateful.”
Meanwhile Alexandra continued to persevere. She got a part-time job at Woolwerx, a fibre studio in New Westminster, where she is learning to card wool and spin yarn.
Healing Through Practical Support and Positive Relationships
Alexandra sees NOLA as part of a healing process that began at FVI. Her NOLA team walked with her as she transitioned from prison to a halfway house to her own home.
“It’s the relationship aspect of NOLA that makes it very, very different,” Alexandra said. “For the first time in my entire life, I don’t feel alone. I feel like I have a connection. I feel like I have an extended family. And I think that’s what NOLA is all about.”