How REST Helped Me Rebuild My Life: A Giving Tuesday Story

By: HER*, Poet, Singer, REST Alumni

Two years ago, my life was chaos.

I was 22, raising a baby on my own, trapped in an abusive relationship with someone I had been with since I was 16. I was battling homelessness. I had no support. And when things got really bad, my daughter was placed into foster care.

There’s no way to explain what that does to you. You feel like the world has swallowed you whole. You don’t know who to trust. You don’t know where to go. You’re grieving and trying to survive at the same time.

A worker in my life told me about REST. Honestly, it sounded too good to be true. Hearing about a program that can actually help you. I didn’t believe it at first.

Then, in early 2024, I had a consultation with Jacqui at the Brampton office. I told her everything. All the pain and fear.  I cried through most of it. She didn’t judge me. She didn’t rush me. She listened.

That alone made me feel like maybe something could change.

Jacqui walked me through what REST could help me with. Right then and there she helped me create small steps so I could change my situation. One of the first things she asked was where I was staying. She wanted to make sure I was cared for. 

REST gave me a monthly subsidy so I could breathe again. For the first time in a long time, I wasn’t choosing between rent, groceries, or safety.

They offered therapy. They gave me space to tell my story. They checked in on me. They taught me financial literacy. 

REST’s HERO groups gave me the chance to sit with other youth and share what we’ve lived through. Those rooms feel safe in a way that’s hard to find anywhere else.

Before REST, I didn’t know any of this existed.

Now, whenever I meet someone going through what I went through, I tell them to call REST right away. One friend of mine, she’s also a young mom, started the program because I referred her. She thanks me every time we talk.

Programs like this don’t exist without people who believe in them.

Every donation made can help REST provide emergency grocery and rent subsidies for young mothers like me. 

It helps to keep programs like HERO running so youth can heal in safe, supportive spaces with their peers. 

Every dollar helps REST offer culturally affirming counseling and case management so every youth can have a Jacqui in their life.

Every gift can help us spread the word and make sure every youth who needs help knows that REST exists. 

If you can, please make a gift today. Every gift made today on Giving Tuesday will be matched by Home Depot Foundation. 

All you have to do is click the link below and select our partner Home Depot store:

BRAMPTON NORTH 7110, and your gift will be doubled!

Your support could help someone who really needs it. Like I did when I met Jacqui. 

P.S. If you’ve made a donation, please make sure to email [email protected] with your name, gift amount, and mailing address so we can say thank you!