Ken’s Story

Hello my name is Ken, and I'm here to talk about housing for the homeless!

I was a troubled person from day one. My parents both smoked and drank during my mother's pregnancy, and we all know how healthy that is! The day I arrived in this world a lazy nurse insisted that my mother wait to have me until the next nurse came on duty because she didn't want the clean up the mess.  Complications then caused oxygen deprivation; lucky me! Later, after failing grade one, I was diagnosed with a learning disability and was told I was already as far as I would likely get!

I grew up in an alcoholic home and received mixed messages. Sometimes my parents loved me and believed I could do anything; other times, they made to feel worthless. I ran Away from home at the young age of twenty-something from small town P.E.I to big city Toronto. I lasted one whole night in a shelter and then went running to live with my grandma. I love her dearly, and she loved me very much, but whatever made me think living together was a good Idea is beyond me! We were too alike! After moving back with mom and dad for a while, I finally had to move out on my own -- only to be mugged. I then moved back with my parents until they went to look after my grandmother in her last years.

Over the years, I've had about 15 different jobs: I’ve worked in a restaurant, in childcare, as a store clerk, and as an office cleaner. My favourite job was in the health care sector.

My romantic relationships were few and far between, as I looked for love in all the wrong places and people. And if a pretty lady did dare to say hello, I’d be making wedding plans and wondering, how many kids?

One day, I had a panic attack and ended up in Sunnybrook Health sciences center's psychiatric day program. They referred me to housing at Houselink Community Homes.  I will be forever grateful to Sunnybrook for that! I first moved into shared housing, where I learned a lot about boundaries! I got involved in just about ever program Houselink offers! I have gone from someone who felt worthless and afraid of his own shadow to somebody who can be here with you and share myself and not care what you may think of me!

But I do deeply care that you see the importance of creating more housing of this nature for the homeless. There are tens of thousands in this city alone who need the help I got!