Hello friends.

I am setting up this crowdfunding for someone dear to me, who desperately needs our support.

Please help me in supporting Elaine, who has been displaced from her home ! 

A few months ago, a fire destroyed some of Elaine's possessions. And then burglars broke in to the boarded-up home, on more than one occasion, and stole many of her remaining possessions, some of which were found scattered in the dirt outside the home.

Elaine reached out to the City of Toronto, and local politicians, but they have not provided any financial support and very little social supports. Instead, they suggested that she call 211. After the fire, she was temporarily placed in an unsafe shelter, where there were numerous thefts within days after she moved there. Needless to say, she didn't want to leave her few belongings in the room to go outside. 

She hasn't yet been allowed to return to her home to obtain the remainder of her belongings, as it needs to be deemed safe for re-entry. But in order for the home to be deemed safe for re-entry, a written report needs to be submitted by a professional (structural) engineer to Toronto Building. She has been informed that, if anyone enters the home (even if unauthorized) and is injured, she will be held liable. Additionally, due to lawyer fees from an outstanding lawsuit with siblings, rent, food, etc., she cannot afford to pay for a structural engineer report and repairs.

Furthermore, her mom, who is now living in a nursing home, has indicated that she would like to return to the home before she passes away. It would be really heartbreaking for her to see the home in the condition it is now. And after having fortunately survived Covid-19 recently !

Elaine completed therapy for her brain aneurysm, coma and strokes prior to Covid-19, but there has been little opportunity to find a suitable job. And since she wasn't working immediately prior to the pandemic, she doesn't qualify for CERB nor EI. Prior to the pandemic, she had volunteered her time, working for social justice, but now needs our support in moving forward from this difficult and painful time in her life. With the funds raised, she will be able to hire a structural engineer so that she could return home to pick up what's left of her belongings, be able to live in a safe, (and hopefully affordable) rental, find a job, and rebuild her life.

Please support Elaine in getting back on her feet and overcoming the tragedies in her life ! Every contribution helps. If you could support by making a donation, then sharing it with your social network, we would greatly appreciate it !

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts !