Toby`s Journey

December 2019

Hi, Arienne,

Just so you know - I wasn’t scared when dad left. Because mom always takes care of us anyway. She’s the one who takes me to school every day, packs my lunches, and celebrates my birthdays. So it wasn’t a big deal… Okay, fine, maybe I was a little scared.

But that’s because a couple of months later, we lost our home and started sleeping in mom’s tiny car. Living out of the car wasn’t so bad. It was kind of like camping at first. But then the car stopped working, and I would get really cold.

The first time mom saw me shivering, she said we had to move to a shelter. I didn’t know what a shelter was but mom said it’s the best place for us. I know mom always knows best but I got really scared when she started talking about the shelter. Please don’t tell her. I want to be strong for my mom.

My name is Toby, I’m twelve years old and my baby sister Tamara is fourteen months. We just came to the YWCA with our mom, Joelle. The social worker told us we’re really lucky that they even have a room available for us! We’re really lucky because they got an opening for a room a couple hours before, said the social worker! Mom was happy about that, so I am too. But she also said they aren’t sure how long we will be here for. They are working with mom to find a home for us. I’m really trying to be brave for my mom, so I hope mom didn’t see the fear in my eyes when they said that.

I’m excited for a real home again, but I guess it’s kind of cool at the shelter. There are other kids, and some fun toys that we never had at home. We’ll even be here for Christmas! We get to set up the tree in the board room. And Sharon in the kitchen promised that we’ll get all of our favourite foods! Turkey, mashed potatoes… Ok, Tamara just likes the potatoes but I love turkey. And mom loves stuffing. It’s going to be a good Christmas they keep telling me.

Sometimes, I’m still scared. And I really wish I had my own room, Tamara wakes us up all the time at night. That didn’t happen in our old home. But anything is better than going back to sleeping in mom’s freezing cold car. I guess it’s people like you who make sure this shelter is here for us. At least that’s what my mom tells me. Thank you for helping us out. For the first time since dad left us, my mom is smiling again. Not always, not every day, but at least sometimes. Thanks for giving us a place to stay and for giving me my mom back.

August 2020  

Hi, Friend!

I hope you remember me! It’s me, Toby! Hi!

Mom and Cheryl said that I could write to you again.

Today, I’m writing you from MY home. Tamara is napping – she naps a lot. Mom is helping me write this and so is our social worker, Cheryl, except she’s helping through the computer video call. Cheryl isn’t allowed to come see us right now because of that virus thing – I forget the name. But she got us the computer so we can still see her, give her a tour of our place, and sometimes I get to show her the cookies I make with mom. When she’s allowed to come back, maybe I will share the cookies with her too.

Did you know that you helped us get a home? Cheryl said that you gave money during Christmas so we could have a home. A real home! Not mom’s car, or the shelter, but a home where I have my own room and bed. A place where I don’t have to be scared or brave anymore. You did that.

It’s been great having a home. Tamara doesn’t wake me up so much. We have our own kitchen and table so we have dinner together. Mom learned a lot of ideas when we were in the shelter. She makes lasagna and salad just like Sharon used to! I like it.

I started going to a new school in January. I made friends pretty fast but then we had to stop going to school because of that virus thing again. I miss my friends. There’s a couple of kids on my block and we wave to each other when we are outside. I guess they are my friends right now. Think I’ll be able to play ball with them soon? I hope so!

I just wanted to thank you for helping me, mom, and Tamara. We love our new home, it’s a little boring right now but we still love it. Thank you for giving us this home. I don’t really like hugs but mom says I should send one anyways.

I hope you like the picture I drew for you.

Thank you,

Toby

Thank you from us too,

Joelle & Tamara

November 2023

Dear Kind-hearted Friends,

It feels like just yesterday when I first put pen to paper, sharing our story with you. Now, I find myself with tears in my eyes, overwhelmed by the journey we've embarked on since Christmas in 2019.

Today, my heart swells with gratitude and joy as I update you on our progress. My son, Toby, has truly become the protector and guide I always knew he could be. Watching him help his little sister, Tamara, navigate this world with such love and patience fills me with a sense of pride that words can hardly capture. Tamara, my little champ, has blossomed into a curious and eager learner. Her laughter now fills our home, a melody of hope that drowns out the echoes of our past struggles.

Life has changed dramatically for us. Through sheer determination and the support of people like you, I was able to secure a job that has transformed our circumstances. We’re thrilled to say that the home YW helped ensure we found in the offsite transitional housing program will be our forever home. We’re officially graduating from the program and will no longer need the support of the YW. While I’ll never be able to thank everyone at the YW or every supporter of theirs enough, I’m so glad that we finally are stable enough to be on our own. The word 'home' now carries a weight of significance that I never fully grasped before.

My Toby is now 16. I can't believe it. He's doing so well. He's not only excelling in school but also on the football field. Watching him pursue his passions and chase his dreams, it's like witnessing a miracle every single day. And in a few weeks, he'll be taking his G1 – the next step toward even more independence.

Our neighborhood has become a haven, filled with friendly faces and a strong sense of community. The school has welcomed us with open arms, providing opportunities for Toby to explore new horizons. It's a privilege to see him grow, and I can't wait to see what his future holds.

To all of you who supported the YW and made this transformation possible, please know that you're the real heroes of our story. Your kindness, your generosity, it lit the path when it seemed so dark. You've given us more than just a home; you've given us hope, stability, and the chance to dream once more.

With tears of gratitude and a heart full of thanks, we look forward to the journey ahead, knowing that you are with us in spirit. You are our guiding stars, our beacons of light.

With love and warmth,

Joelle, Toby, and Tamara