From the Streets to a True Home: A Story from Kate’s Rest
When you live on the street, life is just about surviving the day. There is no time to plan for tomorrow, no safety, and no one to listen.
A resident at Kate's Rest Foundation shared this powerful poem about that daily struggle:
On the Street, there are no weekends
On the street, there are no weekends,
No hump-day, no pay-day, or sick-day
No Christmas, Passover, Ramadan or Family Day
On the street, there is no day of rest
It’s just light or dark, wet or dry, cold or hot
Always today, there’s no room for tomorrow’s plan
With the past, too painful to hold present
On the street, morning brings grey pain and a nicotine-need
Thoughts jumble-tumble, words spill out without
A speaker or listener. If my words fall to the pavement
And no one hears them, am I real, am I alive, am I loved?
On the street, I pull my loneliness close, tight, to keep warm
On the street, there is no home, no unpaid welcome
The question, am I safe, always echos in my head
Bin, tarp, shelter. Drop-in, warming centre holds no answer
On the street, I’m everybody’s problem to solve, and no one’s to love.
Finding Healing and Belonging
Temporary shelters and drop-in centers offer vital short-term relief, but they cannot quiet the constant echo of insecurity or provide a true reset.
At Kate's Rest, we offer permanent, stable housing. When people have a safe place to live, they can finally rest, heal from past trauma, and look forward to the future.
Our community focuses on listening, respect, and deep connection. We walk alongside our residents as partners, helping them feel seen, valued, and truly at home.
To support our community, visit Kate's Rest Foundation donation page. Read about our latest housing addition made possible with support from Lanny Huff.