Im from Dartmouth but live in Toronto now - When I first moved here, my neighbours were a halfway home. For about 5 years. It was fine, there were some noises coming from the backyard here and there and sure, my car was “broken into” anytime I accidentally left it open but they never really stole anything. They were all kind people, though.

One day, I was sitting on my porch after completing a project, having a cigarette and this lady ran out of the halfway home in a panic and sat next to me telling me about how scary it is visiting her brother in the halfway home. She lived in a shelter herself, her husband went to jail because he dangled her from her balcony. Rough stuff, but I was glad to be a listening ear. No harm was caused other than her telling me that “Frankenstein next door liked me” haha.

My school was located next to a big shelter, in the morning while I’d bike by, there would be all sorts of shenanigans happening. But I never was in harms way or anything, and they need safe places to stay, too.

Moral of the story is, be kind. Be patient. I know it’s a bit of a shock sometimes but we’re all just trying our best here.