Meet Kyle; a young adult supported by Community Living Wallaceburg’s Community Support Program – intended to help adults with diverse abilities live independently in the community and participate in activities they enjoy. Resilient, kind and hardworking, he enjoys video games, caring for his cat Copper, and volunteering. Kyle is also a self-advocate.
When his home of five years was sold, the new buyer wanted to evict the current tenants. Thanks to proactive participation in a Rent Smart course, Kyle did not sign off on the eviction and instead requested a tribunal hearing with the Landlord Tennant Board. In exercising his rights, Kyle secured vital time in seeking a new place to call home.
Searching for a new place proved to be incredibly challenging. The rental market was highly competitive, and with housing prices continuing to rise, many units were simply unaffordable. As Kyle’s eviction date approached, the looming possibility of ending up in a shelter grew increasingly distressing. Fortunately, just days before he had to leave, Kyle was able to secure a new place to live.
In July of 2024 the Minister of Children, Community and Social Services, Michael Parsa, and MPP Steve Pinsonneault came to visit Community Living Wallaceburg to tour the office and to meet staff, people we support, and their family members. Kyle was invited to share his challenges in finding affordable housing directly with Minister Parsa and MPP Pinsonneault, hopeful that it might lead to impactful changes.
Earlier this year, Kyle was asked to join Community Living Wallaceburg’s small contingent to Community Living Toronto’s Day at the Legislature. Despite the very early start to the day, Kyle took great interest in the information shared during the debate.
When asked what advice he would give to someone wanting to become an advocate, Kyle made several inspiring suggestions:
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Stand up for yourself and don’t be afraid to say no
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Take the time to learn about and know your rights
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Always ask questions and get as much information as possible
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Consider participating in opportunities where you can learn, share your story, or help others
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