A Home for David Lee
Donation protected
Just over 4 years ago, David Lee and his wife Irene Lee were living a normal, happy life in Calgary. The day Irene suffered her first stroke, things began a long and rapid spiral downward for both of them.
Over the next 3 years, Irene would suffer more strokes, 2 leg amputations and require regular dialysis as an outpatient. The only outpatient program that could take her immediately at that time for dialysis was in Westlock, thus they uprooted their lives (and Dave his job) to relocate.
Once in Westlock, Irene's health continued to decline and Dave struggled to manage the household, visiting his wife almost daily in the hospital, advocating for her care and trying to hold down employment to keep them afloat. Unfortunately, this also had grave effects on his own personal health.
In the fall of 2016, Dave broke his foot and due to complications with his own diabetes, his foot was unable to heal and he had to have his right leg amputated.
With Irene now severely disabled, their financial struggles continued, but they were able to barely get by with Irene's AISH payment and Dave's partial income.
This past spring, Irene passed away due to complications with her declining health. She was the love of Dave's life, and her loss was truly devastating for him.
Since that time, Dave has struggled immensely with his physical and mental health and finding any employment. He is in DESPERATE need of help from family, friends and anyone who is willing to help.
He is surviving off the $1100/month payment from social assistance, most of which goes towards his rent ($800). It is truly unsustainable.
On top of this, he has recently received notice of eviction from his landlord.
People often wonder how others become homeless. This is how.
I am personally involved in helping Dave in the ways that I can, but I need your help. In order for him to get out of the vicious cycle he is in, he must relocate to Edmonton where he is closer to services he needs, transit and a support network.
In order to keep Dave well and off the streets, he really needs the kind of support those with close and resourced families have in these situations.
I am raising money to get him rehoused in Edmonton and set up for at least 6 months while he waits for his application for social housing to even be looked at, and for his medical appointments and paperwork to be completed for possible AISH assistance. (It's been previously denied. We are still determining if working is possible or not for him.)
The wait, bureaucracy and abysmal availability of social programs of this nature are a nightmare...I assure you there has been no lack of trying...but a lot of confusion and brick walls.
Money raised will be used to cover moving expenses, housing costs, basic furnishings (he has almost none that are in any condition to move with him), and other essentials for living over a 6 month period. Donations in kind are also appreciated, however, those needs won't be known until housing is found.
I am also looking for possible FREE housing for him which will greatly reduce the funds needed and allow for even better living conditions while he continues to deal with the physical rehab on his leg, get his diabetes under control and heal his mental health. If you or someone you know has a place in SW or W Edmonton they would be willing to provide for free or low cost, please contact me directly on this platform. He will bring one cat with him.
Thank you and I wish you so much love and kindness for your generosity.
.
Over the next 3 years, Irene would suffer more strokes, 2 leg amputations and require regular dialysis as an outpatient. The only outpatient program that could take her immediately at that time for dialysis was in Westlock, thus they uprooted their lives (and Dave his job) to relocate.
Once in Westlock, Irene's health continued to decline and Dave struggled to manage the household, visiting his wife almost daily in the hospital, advocating for her care and trying to hold down employment to keep them afloat. Unfortunately, this also had grave effects on his own personal health.
In the fall of 2016, Dave broke his foot and due to complications with his own diabetes, his foot was unable to heal and he had to have his right leg amputated.
With Irene now severely disabled, their financial struggles continued, but they were able to barely get by with Irene's AISH payment and Dave's partial income.
This past spring, Irene passed away due to complications with her declining health. She was the love of Dave's life, and her loss was truly devastating for him.
Since that time, Dave has struggled immensely with his physical and mental health and finding any employment. He is in DESPERATE need of help from family, friends and anyone who is willing to help.
He is surviving off the $1100/month payment from social assistance, most of which goes towards his rent ($800). It is truly unsustainable.
On top of this, he has recently received notice of eviction from his landlord.
People often wonder how others become homeless. This is how.
I am personally involved in helping Dave in the ways that I can, but I need your help. In order for him to get out of the vicious cycle he is in, he must relocate to Edmonton where he is closer to services he needs, transit and a support network.
In order to keep Dave well and off the streets, he really needs the kind of support those with close and resourced families have in these situations.
I am raising money to get him rehoused in Edmonton and set up for at least 6 months while he waits for his application for social housing to even be looked at, and for his medical appointments and paperwork to be completed for possible AISH assistance. (It's been previously denied. We are still determining if working is possible or not for him.)
The wait, bureaucracy and abysmal availability of social programs of this nature are a nightmare...I assure you there has been no lack of trying...but a lot of confusion and brick walls.
Money raised will be used to cover moving expenses, housing costs, basic furnishings (he has almost none that are in any condition to move with him), and other essentials for living over a 6 month period. Donations in kind are also appreciated, however, those needs won't be known until housing is found.
I am also looking for possible FREE housing for him which will greatly reduce the funds needed and allow for even better living conditions while he continues to deal with the physical rehab on his leg, get his diabetes under control and heal his mental health. If you or someone you know has a place in SW or W Edmonton they would be willing to provide for free or low cost, please contact me directly on this platform. He will bring one cat with him.
Thank you and I wish you so much love and kindness for your generosity.
.Organizer
Rena Chiovelli
Organizer
Edmonton, AB