E4C - Edmonton

I’ve had 4 appointments with someone named Dorothy but every time I have called she has not picked up, I would have loved to leave a voice mail but her mailbox was constantly full so that was not an option.

Their housing workers are deceivers who would rather gossip during worktime than do their job of helping people.

Hi everyone!! Am James Maina# from Kenya Being a new-comer in Edmonton, all E4C staff went above and beyond to cater for my housing needs. Dorothy(social worker) and Maureen# the housing supervisor were indeed very compassionate?. I had spent a few nights at the shelter so they worked hard to find me a decent apartment. The receptionist was very kind to me, she offered me coffee at the waiting area since i came from outside & was freezing. They showered me with some Christmas gifts and followed up to make sure am settled in my apartment. I highly recommend E4C for any1 still out there looking for an affordable #????####God bless y'all!

I own a moving company and we performed a move for this group today and I was really honoured to have the privilege of meeting such amazing people who are so dedicated and committed to helping others live a better life!! These children are truly blessed to have these individuals there for them in a time when not many others are. I highly recommend this organization!! ??

I’m torn on how to express both my appreciation and massive anger and disappointment. The housing itself was wonderful, bright, clean and with a welcoming atmosphere. The meals were healthy and good food was always available with regular house visits from a psychiatrist. This was a major blessing and we were excited and appreciative. However, after nearly a year my son and several others were kicked out at the beginning of lockdowns last year—horrible timing. As far as the staff, most seem to be extremely poorly informed about the reality of mental illness and SUD. My son was diagnosed Schizoaffective with SUD. One staff member asked me “if he had empathy” which was truly shocking and not at all the case, we knew and loved him, they didn’t know him at all to make such a scathing judgment. There’s not only mental illness to consider but also substance use and psychiatric medications to consider with ones presentation. I felt like I was left trying to explain this myself to someone who should know better as it’s her job. At another point one said “he doesn’t seem mentally ill that we've seen” and “he doesn’t seem to want to participate in conversation and he keeps to himself”—as though there’s something wrong with a quiet or introverted person. They were clueless on how to respond and judgemental in their approach when he had psychotic episodes. All they had to do was check with the on-site psychiatrist for his diagnosis. It gave the impression they never bothered to review his file at all. Early on, a woman overdosed in her bedroom and without any evidence and a house full of other people who use, they blamed my son for her death, one worker in particular believed my son sold her whatever she took (one man judge and jury) which was incredibly upsetting to my son and he had no way to prove otherwise and even if there’s a possibility it had been him, how could he have known? The entire drug supply is potentially toxic, it’s a gamble every time. I think that set him up to be on the outs from early on. EH is supposed to be harm reduction, that the residents struggle with substance abuse is a reality. My impression was that my son was quiet, kept to himself and one worker in particular singled him out and picked on him. Mental illness and SUD is difficult and complicated; these people are working with highly vulnerable people and proper mental health care and training should be a necessity, it’s their job, they are staffed in shifts, there is a team of them, they have the resources that family often cannot provide, given all this, they could be managing better through proper training and education. I know I’m not the only one to express this concern re: the housing staff. They claim to be a harm reduction facility, but their tolerance for the reality of use is low ie using in ones own room, while I understand this, they don’t offer any alternatives for safe or supervised use other than “go outside”. Long story short, they kicked him out in April, he lived back at home with me for 6 months and we tried to make it work but I was out of my depth and without proper resources and support and a younger son to look after, he was back homeless again without alternatives and died by fentanyl poisoning 7 months after they kicked him out.

I have been referred from the director of homeward trust to the e4c program,however, I have been experiencing difficulties. My mental illness has been hindering any progress or success in attaining sustainable stable housing. I have several workers involved on my file and have vocalized my problem(s). My intake worker was Dorothy as well and i have issues keeping in touch with her or contacting her.

I’m not sure where to start but as a property owner I would never ever again deal with this company and by extension homeward trust It’s been a nightmare having a few of their tenants in my properties. From fires that have still not been dealt with properly to other damages where they are looking at depreciating your assets. Which I have never heard of before. So beware before you rent to this company As you may not know what you’re in for

Speedy reply. Suggest self efficacy for those starting their journey though.