Dale Overcomes Illness and the Threat of Homelessness

After seeking medical attention for a persistent cough, Dale found out that he had contracted tuberculosis from a friend who was living with him. It wasn’t until Dale’s friend succumbed to the condition that he realized the severity of TB. In isolation for a month, Dale missed his bill payments. Unable to leave the hospital due to quarantine, his nurse knew about a program that could help provide him financial support when sick: Bissell Centre’s Community Bridge Program, which is dedicated to helping people keep their homes during tough times.

Once cleared from isolation Dale contacted Bissell for more information on the program. He was introduced to Ola a caseworker with the program. They booked an appt and walked through what Dale needed to do, step by step. The program helped Dale pay his bills, as he was a couple of months behind due to the long hospital stay. Being provided with this financial assistance when sick, gave Dale peace of mind and offered him options.

In addition to the help with the bill payments, Dale was able to secure a bus pass at Bissell, something he was very grateful for at the time. More importantly, his case worker Ola gave him confidence, some nice advice and a lot of moral support.

“He gave me a lot of moral support at a time when I was a little low on that. I’m grateful.”

“Ola is a very nice man,” says Dale. “He told me to keep my head up and gave me some great advice. He gave me a lot of moral support at a time when I was a little low on that. I’m grateful.”

Dale recently returned from a second hospital visit, this time for surgery. Through his recovery, he is grateful that the program is there to help give him financial support when sick while he is awaiting approval for his application to the Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH) program.

Dale is hopeful for the future, and with the confidence that he gained working with his case worker in the Community Bridge Program, he feels that things may start to head in the right direction.

“Things are starting to look up,” smiles Perry.

Why does Dale feel the Community Bridge program is so important for the community? For the main reason that “it really helps people.” He appreciates Bissell Centre and all that the Community Bridge program has done for him.

Without funding partners like ENMAX, we don’t know how Dale’s story would have turned out. What we do know is that Dale is warm in his home and has optimism about the road ahead.

——-

Visit Bissell Centre’s Housing Services to learn more about the Community Bridge Program and our efforts to provide stable housing and financial support for people living in poverty.