Nancy & Jessica: A Home That Brings Peace of Mind
Jessica has lived with a serious mental illness since her teenage years. For her mother, Nancy, those early years were filled with fear and confusion. “I cannot describe the level of helplessness we all felt. How stigma can isolate families like ours, and how often the system leaves you to figure out things on your own,” Nancy recalls.
After eight long years on a waitlist, Jessica got the call – a home was available with Ottawa Salus. “When we walked into her new place, Jessica looked around and said, ‘This is mine.’ She was smiling from ear to ear,” Nancy remembers. That apartment became more than a roof over her head—it was a place of safety, stability, and belonging. Nancy and her family helped her decorate and celebrated with a simple housewarming, marking a milestone of achievement and independence.
Since moving in, Jessica hasn’t needed to be hospitalized. She has friends, a supportive community, and daily stability. “Salus gave her more than a roof. They gave her a sense of belonging and a sense of dignity and self-worth. And they gave this worried mother peace of mind,” Nancy says.
Thanks to the generosity of Salus supporters, families like Nancy and Jessica’s can experience hope, relief, and the priceless security of a home.
Nancy, Jessica’s mother, speaking at Soiree Salus
Jon: From Rehabilitation to Real Independence
Jon’s journey with Salus began at the Fisher transitional rehabilitation program, where group-based living helped him gradually learn important life and household skills — from cooking and chores to community routines. He also participated in recreational programs at Fisher, which helped him stay active, build connections, and gain confidence in a supportive setting.
When he graduated from Fisher, Jon moved into his own independent-living apartment in a Salus building. Today, he lives with a supportive community of neighbours and staff — neighbours he helps by taking out garbage, neighbours who sometimes return the kindness, such as inviting him for a meal.
Along the way, Jon achieved a major milestone: earning his high school diploma, a goal that gave him pride and opened doors for future opportunities.
Reflecting on what having a stable home means now, Jon says: “Home is where you can just sit back and relax and move forward. It’s the place you always have to come back to.”
With that foundation, he’s pursuing further goals — education, work, a future grounded in stability.
Jon and Theo, Salus Community Developer holding Jon’s high school diploma
Claire: A New Beginning and Hope for the Future
When Claire first heard about Salus’s combination of housing and mental-health support, she felt it “just made sense.” That conviction brought her to Fisher, a Salus transitional rehabilitation program where welcoming staff, peers, and community-based support helped her rediscover hope.
Over a year, she gained life skills, independence, and confidence — learning to advocate for herself, assert boundaries, and build everyday routines. She discovered a passion for cooking and baking; staff encouraged her to complete food-safety training, and she earned her Food Handler’s certificate. After graduating, she moved into a Salus independent-living apartment, where she continues to cook and bake for her community.
Claire continues to thrive with ongoing support from her case worker and community developer, who check in regularly, provide guidance, and help her stay connected to programs and opportunities.
Reflecting on her journey, Claire says: “Honestly, I don’t know what I would have done without Salus. They gave me so many different opportunities. They helped me to believe that I shouldn’t give up and that there’s help out there.”
Now settled in her home, feeling supported and part of a community, Claire looks ahead with hope — ready to pursue work, give back, and show others that recovery and stability are possible.
Pictured left to right: Camille Therriault-Power (Past Chair, Salus Board), Claire Burrows (Salus client), and Denyse Lacroix (Salus Rehabilitation Worker)
Be Part of Their Journey
Every story at Salus is a story of resilience, dignity, and hope. With your support, we can continue to provide homes, stability, and community for people like Jessica, Jon, and Claire. Your generosity makes these transformations possible.