Testimonials

As a Discharge Planner in Internal Medicine at St. Michael’s Hospital it is very challenging to find affordable supportive housing for our marginalized clients. Our clients require support for all aspects of daily living from bathing to cooking to banking. Without a boarding house like Berkeley some of my clients would end up homeless or in shelters. Mrs. San Vicente provides a warm and caring environment for clients who have mental health and addiction issues that other residences will not accommodate. It's good to know they will be taken care of with good meals, laundry and cleaning. She also goes above and beyond by ensuring her residents get to medical appointments and their medications. Residents of Berkeley have fewer readmissions to hospital. There is genuine lack of housing such as Mrs. San Vicente provides. As government policy shifts making it more difficult to get clients into long term care it would be of great benefit to have more such housing options in downtown Toronto.
Sincerely, Ms. Thomas BA (Hons) RN GNCC Discharge Planner General Internal Medicine St. Michael's Hospital

I am writing this letter in support of the Berkeley Residence. I came across Berkeley Residence while looking for an affordable home for one of my clients and a colleague of mine recommended the place to me as she already had a client housed there. My colleague raved to me about the residence and its staff, emphasizing on the fact that they are cooperative and accommodating of the often stigmatized population whom we often work with. As mental health recovery workers, my colleague and I work with some the most challenging and vulnerable group of people in the GTA. Our clients are often highly ostracized and are not easy to house. Though there is the option of Coordinated Access to Supportive Housing (CASH) and other forms of supportive housing services, they usually have a long waiting list which is a frustrating factor for both workers and clients to deal with. Berkeley Residence has been a desirable and quick solution for me to help my clients who are in need of instant stabilization a home that allows them to gain that. In this aspect Berkeley Residence also complements the existing governmental supportive houses by providing an alternative to the public. I feel Berkeley Residence gives those seeking refugee from the streets a positive living situation from where they may slowly begin to turn their lives around. The staff of Berkeley Residence is very supportive and has created this familial living environment in which individuality is not only recognized but also embraced. In addition the staff is willing to work closely with client’s community workers in ensuring a smooth transition and stay takes place for the respective tenants at the house. I have always found the landlord to be quite generous and helpful whenever I have needed her assistance. In fact on several occasions she has gone outside the call of duty to help tenants, as she (and the rest of the staff) seem to genuinely care about each individuals residing at the house. Most of us work 9am to 5pm whereas the landlord and some of the staff members at Berkeley Residence are on duty more or less for 24hours/week to me this signifies their level of commitment, dedication and passion in the work they do. Best regards, Ms. Bates Mental Health Recovery WorkerMadison Community Services

We would not be able to house any one under our care if it was not for our many community partners that have so diligently dedicated their time and effort:
CAMH, COTA Health, CCAC, CONTACT, CASH, Salvation Army, Good Shepherd, Our Lady of Lourdes, St. Ann's, St. Paul's Churches, Seaton House, Madison Community Services, The Scott Mission, The Yonge St. Mission. And of course the network of many hospitals that turn to us when a patient needs to be discharged to a safer home such as: St. Michael's, St. Joseph's, Providence, Sunnybrook, Mt. Sinai and the network of Toronto General Hospitals.
Thank you for your continued support!