Answer

Before I begin, I want to assure you that homelessness is not a reason for any agency to take away your child.

Your first step should be to find out about relevant programs and services, such as the Toronto Rent Bank, which sometimes issues interest-free loans to help tenants avoid eviction. You must have a regular source of income (not including social assistance) and pay market rent to be eligible for this service. As well, Enbridge gas company sponsors the Winter Warmth Fund, which gives a one-time grant to low-income persons who cannot pay their heating bill.

You may want to consider using a food bank to supplement your income. Call Foodshare's FoodLink Hotline 416-392-6655 to find out about food banks, free dining programs or some of its cool programs like the Good Food Box. (Make sure you call before you run out of groceries -- food banks are sometimes only open a few hours per week.)

As well, you may want to apply for Ontario Works (OW), a provincial financial assistance program administered by Toronto Employment and Social Services (TESS). Although OW is limited (MS Word) -- a single parent with one child gets a maximum of just over $1,000 per month -- you can sometimes get extra assistance for things like special diets (PDF). Also, you must have exhausted most of your assets before you can apply for Ontario Works.

Social services clients who are able to work can use the Employment Resource Centres at local offices. Those who participate in an approved activity, such as a structured job search or skills training program, could be eligible for clothing, grooming and equipment funding as well as help for child care. Social services can provide employment start-up funding and an advance child care payment to recipients who find a job while on Ontario Works.

I also suggest calling and setting up an appointment with your local Employment Assessment Centre to find out about job finding clubs and other support services.

Also check out workshops, such as Transitions to Employment, Get Work Faster or L.I.T.E., that give a great overview of programs and services in Toronto. Anyone can attend these workshops but they are geared to Employment Insurance (EI) recipients or those who have been on EI in the last three years. (The EI "reachback" period is extended to five years for those who have been on maternity EI benefits.)

Now that the economy is picking up, it might be a good time to contact employers, such as landscaping and gardening centres, big box hardware stores and recreational facilities, that are gearing up for spring. You can often get applications for these type of companies at job fairs; however, you may stand a better chance of getting hired if you apply before the company goes that route.

Finally, I likely don't have to remind you to get your income tax filed as soon as possible as you may be eligible for a nice refund.

Best of luck,

Susan Stone