The challenges of being homeless during the pandemic | Generation Homeless, Episode 01

Summary

In this video, 22-year-old Amy Finn shares her experience of homelessness in Toronto. Evicted due to her ex's drug addiction and theft, Amy has been homeless for over a year. She describes the daily struggle to find shelter, the difficulty of securing employment without identification, and the emotional toll of being separated from her son. Despite the hardships, Amy remains hopeful, with the support of her engaged boyfriend who is also homeless. She panhandles to survive and dreams of finding a home to reunite with her son, emphasizing the shared humanity and the need for empathy and support.

Takeaways

• 🎥 The video features a homeless individual humorously referring to themselves as a 'ninja' to hide their homelessness.
• 🥶 The person in the video is requesting basic necessities like a sleeping bag, sweater, gloves, and heat warmers due to the cold.
• 🤝 They express gratitude for receiving help and mention needing to visit a clinic for frostbite on their hands.
• 🏡 The individual, named Amy Finn, has been homeless for over a year and is struggling to find housing in Toronto.
• 👶 Amy had to leave her two-bedroom apartment due to her ex's drug addiction and is now trying to secure a home to reunite with her son.
• 💼 She faces challenges in finding employment and housing without proper identification, which is difficult to obtain during the pandemic.
• 💍 Despite her situation, Amy is engaged, and her fiancé, who is also homeless, supports her.
• 🙏 Amy has to panhandle for food and emphasizes the embarrassment and difficulty of asking for help on the streets.
• 🏢 She describes the daily struggle of finding shelter, often being turned away from full shelters and having to sleep in parking garages or makeshift setups.
• 🌟 Amy expresses a desire to have full custody of her son and to find a stable home for them, missing him dearly.
• 🙌 The video concludes with a message of hope and a call for empathy and support for those less fortunate.

Q & A

What is the main character's name and how long has she been homeless?

The main character's name is Amy Finn, and she has been homeless for over a year.

What items is Amy requesting to help her survive the cold weather?

Amy is requesting a sleeping bag, a sweater, gloves, and heat warmers to help her cope with the cold.

What is Amy's background regarding her living situation before becoming homeless?

Amy had a two-bedroom apartment for three years with her son and her ex-partner. She became homeless after her ex-partner's drug addiction led to her eviction due to unpaid rent.

Why is Amy's son not with her currently?

Amy's son is with his grandmother until Amy can find a stable place to live.

What challenges does Amy face in finding housing and employment?

Amy faces challenges in finding housing and employment due to not having proper identification and the additional difficulties posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

How does Amy's boyfriend support her during her homelessness?

Amy's boyfriend, who is also homeless, supports her by ensuring her safety and trying to help her with her situation.

What does Amy have to do to make money for food and other necessities?

Amy has to panhandle to make money for food and other necessities.

What is the current status of Amy's housing situation according to the shelters she has contacted?

Amy has been unable to find a bed in the shelters as they are often full, and she has been calling central intake for weeks without success.

How does Amy feel about having to panhandle for help?

Amy feels embarrassed about panhandling but acknowledges it as a necessary action for her survival.

What is Amy's ultimate goal regarding her son and her housing situation?

Amy's ultimate goal is to find a home so she can bring her son back to live with her.

What does Amy hope to achieve by sharing her story?

Amy hopes that sharing her story can help her get off the streets, open people's eyes to the struggles of homelessness, and encourage mutual help within the community.