Kayla’s Story: Knowing Exactly Where To Turn
Kayla is no stranger to Starling’s Housing Services. Six years ago, they helped her get off the streets and into stable housing. “I was an alcoholic. I was on my deathbed. The fact that I made it out of that because of Starling is just amazing,” she said gratefully.
The road to recovery and stable housing isn’t just driven by Starling. Kayla was ready to commit to improving herself and her life. “My worker is an amazing person. When I first met her, I was not doing well, and I promised her that I would stay clean. I wanted to show her that she helped the right person.”
Since then, Kayla has kept her promise. She still has regular check-ins with her worker, volunteers with people experiencing homelessness and struggling with addiction, and takes classes to improve life skills like cooking and swimming.
“Anytime I needed anything or had any questions, my worker was right there to answer them and point me in the right direction. Even if she was busy, whoever picked up the phone would help me or figure out where to get my answers.”
But when her living situation became unsafe, Kayla worried she may relapse, but she knew exactly who to reach out to. “Starling got me into a safer living situation within the week,” Kayla explained, full of emotion. “I will always have nothing but positive things to say about Starling. You guys really changed my life.”
Now that she is in a safe environment again, Kayla has the time and mental health to start planning for her future. “My dream is to open my own tattoo studio,” she explained. “It’s surreal, after I first got clean, I couldn’t even write my own name. Now, I can free stencil my own tattoos. I never thought I would even be able to speak again, let alone write and draw.”
Kayla is forever grateful for all the help she has received from Starling, but acknowledges that she also deserves credit. “As long as you show up, and show them you’re trying, Starling will try. They won’t give up on you as long as you don’t give up on yourself.”
*Christopher Aguilar, Housing Program Supervisor, pictured above
Community Impact
The First Step Toward Stability
Last year, 12,665 community members turned to our Housing Resource Centres for support during times of housing instability. These centres, located in Kitchener and Cambridge, play a critical role in preventing homelessness by providing supports to individuals and families seeking resources to maintain their housing or find a new place to call home. Our Housing Advisors work to address individual housing barriers, offer housing search support, and introduce resources to help people meet their housing needs.
Helping Families Find and Maintain Housing
Starling Housing Services’ Families in Transition (FIT) program continues to go above and beyond to help prevent families in Waterloo Region from having an experience of homelessness. Thanks to our hardworking staff, this year, the FIT team diverted 343 families from a shelter stay and housed 79 families. The FIT team provides a vital service, connecting families to timely housing supports and services assisting Waterloo Region to maintain functional zero for chronically homeless families in our community.
“I am so grateful for the supports we received from Starling. My teen now has their own room and a safe environment. Instead of being completely consumed with staying safe and meeting our basic needs, I can finally look to the future and start rebuilding my life.”
- Wendy, Client
“I reached out to Starling during a very difficult time. Our worker consistently went above and beyond for my son and I. We wouldn’t be where we are today without their understanding and unwavering support. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
- Christine, Client
“Since joining Starling, I have experienced meaningful growth while also bringing my unique African experience and background into our client-centered approach. My role in supporting individuals to secure and maintain housing has strengthened my skills in advocacy, crisis intervention and above all community engagement. The inclusive and supportive team culture at Starling is the best. The environment allows me to contribute authentically while making a positive and lasting impact in the community.”
*Functional zero means a community has successfully lowered homelessness to a very small number, ideally zero, and has maintained that level for three consecutive months.
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