SIGNS OF RECOVERY
After 10 months of support to help build a community and improve the quality of life inside 220 Oak St., residents are doing more than just surviving — they’re finally living. A special report by Star reporter Jennifer Pagliaro and photographer Marta Iwan
For almost a year, a small group of health and support workers has been tackling the challenge of addictions, hoarding, pests and mental health at one of TCHC’s most troubled buildings. Though problems remain, those who have found help say they are no longer afraid to live. It takes two picnic tables to hold all of the food.
A small group of residents from 220 Oak St. has made the pilgrimage to Toronto’s Centre Island on a warm summer day, led here by several staff from the non-profit Cota, who have embedded themselves at the highrise for almost 10 months.
The workers are smiling, buoyant as they stoke the charcoal on the barbecue and unpack hotdogs and other snacks from large picnic coolers onto one of the tables. A second table is quickly overwhelmed with generous offerings carted on the ferry by the residents themselves: chicken curry, savoury pancakes, a slightly smushed red velvet cake with white frosting.
The neighbours sit among picnicking families. On this day there is little difference. Today, that is a cause for celebration. It is a sign of recovery.
Bedbugs still plague the highrise. Unchecked mental illness and barriers to accessing proper health care and jobs remain. But on this day they’ve left all that behind for an afternoon.
Acore group of residents determined to take care of each other is now growing in number every month with the help of Cota. They are applying for jobs, hosting parties, building a garden — succeeding in spite of this place.
“Because they’re not afraid to live anymore,” says supportive housing worker Don Ford. “The best part of it is seeing the smiles on people’s faces, that they’re happy to see us.”
478
Residents in the building
10
Children younger than 12 who are officially documented as living in the building
67
Percentage of male residents in the building
67
Percentage of bachelor units in the building
1,137
EMS calls to the building from 2010 to 2015
283
EMS calls to the building in 2014
70
EMS calls in 2014 that required someone to be transported to hospital
786
Police calls to the building in 2014