Help Gary Knight

Let me introduce you to Gary Knight. Gary is homeless and living on the streets with his walker. He was staying at the Cornerstone Mens Shelter. His 28 days were up, he said, and they told him he needed to leave. He has mobility issues and requires the use of the walker, he explained as he raised his cap to show me the bumps and bruises on his head after falling a couple of times. We chatted for a bit over coffee. He told me that he hopes it stays warm tonight as he most likely will be sleeping behind a plaza on Bloor Street. He went on to explain that he has never felt so helpless. So useless. He said he has turned to alcohol to try and drown out the pain he feels. He collects Ontario Works and gets an emergency allowance that, he says, barely pays for anything. He went on to say that he knows he won't go hungry because of the different food resources. He explained how the workers only come to help when it is almost time to go. He explained of the three different units that he had lined up, but were rented out before his had a chance. He talks about working his eight days a week in construction and his whole face lights up. He said he refuses to give up. He had a doctor's appointment on Taunton Road. I asked how he was getting there. He said he was going to walk. He said he doesn't have any other mode of transportation. "Busses don't go the same way as before. We find ourselves walking half way to where we need to go." He said he wouldn't mind so much if he could walk like before. The doctor's appointment was to find out why his legs weren't working properly.

The system is failing so many of our friends. This man should have been given the option of a hotel room. His needs are far greater than they seem. He just wish someone would help them instead of looking down on them, he said, so he drinks. He had a company, lost it all because of a relationship breakdown and now he can't work because he can barely walk. He cried. For a straight 15 minutes. Someone, somewhere has to help me help him. Message me. I will get you connected with him.