Joan: Catching Her Breath
When you meet Joan, she is far from the image many people still associate with homelessness. A university graduate, she worked for many years as a technical writer. Like many other women, she had built her life around work, responsibilities and plans for the future. Nothing had prepared her for a time when she would be the one asking for help.
Yet, over time, the difficulties began to mount. Losing her job marked a turning point. Despite an active job search and numerous interviews, she was unable to find another position. Then came the isolation of the pandemic, health concerns and the death of her faithful companion of 17 years, her dog. As she faced one ordeal after another, the stability she had counted on began to crumble.
“People still have so many misconceptions about homelessness. We don’t always realize that sometimes just a few life setbacks can turn a life upside down.”
Once her Employment Insurance benefits were exhausted, Joan could no longer afford her rent. She stayed for a while with a friend, convinced it would only be temporary and that she would soon find work again. Like many women we meet at Chez Doris, she held on for as long as she could, believing that a solution would eventually appear.
Then came the moment when she no longer knew where to go.
It was through another woman that Joan first learned about Chez Doris. She did not really know what to expect, but she still remembers the relief she felt when she walked through the organization’s doors for the first time. At that point, the idea of going to a mixed shelter worried her deeply. Although she had not experienced violence herself, she worried about spending the night somewhere she would feel vulnerable.
“I felt safe right away,” she says. “The staff were so kind and welcoming. For the first time in a long time, I was able to sleep and catch my breath.”
Feeling safe may sound simple. Yet for a woman who has just lost her bearings and does not know where she will sleep, it is essential. A place designed for women can welcome them without judgment, help them rebuild trust, and become a first step toward rebuilding their lives.
In the months that followed, Chez Doris gave Joan the support she needed to get through this difficult period. The team helped her with administrative steps and with access to different services. When she finally moved into her housing, she received clothing and essential items to set up her new space and gradually find her bearings again.
Today, Joan lives in a Chez Doris residence. She speaks with gratitude about the team that supported her and the women she sees every day. After a period of isolation, she is slowly rediscovering the joy of being with others. She also participates in the women’s committee, which gives her a chance to build new connections and keep moving forward at her own pace. She also wants to thank donors and share how much the hygiene products and prepaid grocery cards she receives each month are a real help and mean a lot to her.
Although some challenges remain, Joan now looks to the future with greater confidence. This fall, she will begin a pre-employability program in cooking that could open the door to a new career. When asked about her greatest dream, she answers without hesitation: to travel to Egypt and see the pyramids with her own eyes.
Her story reminds us that homelessness has no single face. It also reminds us that beyond housing, what women often need most is a place where they can catch their breath, rebuild confidence and look ahead. Thanks to the generosity of our donors, women like Joan can begin rebuilding their lives and start believing in the future again.