Mark's Story

My name is Mark Shapiro. I am a parent and Habitat Services board member. After many years, my son Kenny, who suffers from severe obsessive compulsive disorder, now fits into the community.

After years of family disruption, in and out of hospitals, from one psychiatrist to another, searching in vain for direction and because of his obsessive compulsive disorder, we were constantly at odds…..with no co-operation from Kenny.

Living on the streets, the constant anguish and panic, not knowing where he was…was he safe?? At times, he would show up at my studio…..a street person…..my son!!

In our desperate search, we finally were able to connect Kenny into the system providing mental health services of support and housing.

Rochelle Goldman of the Chai Tikvah foundation opened that door. Habitat services and the COTA organization provided the essentials for Kenny's daily living.

This major support led Kenny to get a job and get his own apartment — subsidized by Chai Tikvah, a supportive housing agency in north Toronto — as well as to take his own medication and be responsible for the essentials of his daily life.

Kenny is earning his own living working five days a week for the past 10 years, with S.P.R.I.N.T. ( Senior People Resources in North Toronto).

The service Kenny performs is driving seniors daily to their medical appointments and one day for food shopping. The elderly people Kenny picks up daily have become his friends.

Several years ago, I developed an infection which caused my spinal column to collapse and compress my spinal cord, leaving me paralyzed from the waist down….for a period of time.

Mary Lou, my wife and rock, has been there for me and us, from 9 am to 9 pm daily during six months in the hospital and three months of rehabilitation. Of course being home together now is the ultimate joy.

Kenny has been a daily major support as well. Much as we are a support for him, Kenny turned what he saw as his responsibility to us.

He consults with his psychiatrist and Chai Tikvah support worker on a regular basis. He has a membership in a gym, works out a few times a week and occasionally comes with us to work out and socialize at Variety Village – a place for all abilities. No words can express the feelings and relief a parent has….to have their son or daughter function normally and enjoy a life connected to community, and especially family.

We take comfort in knowing that when we “pass on,” our child will always have a safe and secure affordable home.

For this, as a parent, I give heartfelt thanks to the government sources, and at the same time, ask for their continued support.

“Supportive housing is a cornerstone in the foundation to recovery. Without it, the emergency wards, the jails, and the streets become the default options.”

– Michael Wilson, former federal minister and head of Toronto Peel implementation task force, and now Canadian ambassador to the USA.