Storefront – Project Genesis

You have the right to refuse a rent increase!

PG — Fri, 17 Mar 2023 21:59:11 +0000

See the fact sheet below for more information.

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Perseverance and helping others

PG — Wed, 21 Dec 2016 21:32:00 +0000

Priscilla, Housing Rights Committee volunteer

“I am learning a lot and I am meeting a lot of different people. Seeing different things and learning makes a lot of difference in my life.”

At age 70, Priscilla came to Project Genesis for help with her Old Age Pension application. At the time, she was going to a temp agency every morning, but more often than not there was no work for her. The small amount she earned enabled her to buy a bus pass and contribute a bit to the household expenses of the friend who had taken her in. Priscilla’s pension application was challenging: it involved proving her years of Canadian residence and accounting for a period when she returned to her country of origin to care for her ailing mother. Priscilla made over ten visits to the Storefront in the course of completing the application, coming in each time she received a new document by mail.

“For my pension, we gave a lot of papers and they kept saying they want this and they want that. In the end everything worked out. I got my pension for the years that passed.” Now Priscilla is able to pay rent and only goes to work if she feels equal to it.

Through the Storefront, Priscilla attended a Social Housing Clinic and has joined the Housing Rights Committee. As a member of the committee, she says “I am learning a lot and I am meeting a lot of different people. Seeing different things and learning makes a lot of difference in my life.” She is enthusiastic about her involvement: “Lots of people need help….I like to help people. As long as we are alive, there is a lot to accomplish.”

Priscilla, Housing Rights Committee volunteer

Help with addressing financial difficulties

PG — Thu, 11 Aug 2016 21:26:00 +0000

Rodolfo, Storefront service user

“I am trying to survive with these struggles in my life and I am very thankful to Genesis for helping.”

HELP WITH ADDRESSING FINANCIAL DIFFICULTIES

Rodolfo came through our doors for the first time in August 2015 because he had little income. At the time, he was working, cleaning a daycare for a couple of hours each evening, five evenings a week.

Aged 60, his declining health had led to his dismissal from his other job, and even the part-time work was a strain for him. He had come to Canada to be with his wife, but his marriage had collapsed. His earnings did not allow him to get his own place; he rented a partitioned-off space in an acquaintance’s apartment.

At the Storefront. Rodolfo got help applying for welfare, his Quebec pension and the Shelter Allowance. Although he knew that he did not feel well – that that he sometimes fell because of his poor balance – it was following a consultation with a neurologist arranged by Project Genesis that Rodlofo’s health problems were more fully diagnosed. He was also admitted to the Social Solidarity category of welfare, which provided him with better benefits. He was able to stop working, and is sharing the rent on an apartment with a friend.

In Rodolfo’s words:

“Where I am now, I am not feeling good. I have many problems: health problems, financial problems. I am old already, and I am alone. I am trying to survive with these struggles in my life and I am very thankful to Genesis for helping.”

“They are approachable. They help you and they are very kind.”

“They helped me with my problems in my life. After 10 years in Canada, I still don’t know about many things. Project Genesis gave me ideas. I opened my mind about life in Canada because of Genesis. Now I know about government policy because of them.”

Rodolfo, Storefront service user

Interested in more?

Donate to Project Genesis’ Anti-Poverty Work in Memory of John Kinloch

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Encouragement and support through a long process

PG — Mon, 24 Aug 2015 03:15:00 +0000

Estrelita, Storefront service user

“Some places try to discourage you when you ask for support, but at Project Genesis, you don’t feel judged; you feel welcomed. You can voice what is in your heart, and they listen, which is so nice.

At Project Genesis, they encourage you.”

ENCOURAGEMENT AND SUPPORT THROUGH A LONG PROCESS

Sixty-two-year-old Estrelita came to Project Genesis because her health no longer permitted her to continue working as a caregiver. We informed her that as a widow, she was eligible for the Allowance for the Survivor. Although this was good news, it was only the beginning of a very long struggle for her to obtain this benefit. Obtaining and submitting the many documents required by Service Canada over the following months took her more than 20 visits to our offices. On one occasion, Estrelita felt utterly discouraged by the ongoing bureaucratic hurdles, despairing that she would ever obtain what she was entitled to. However, in June 2014, a beaming Estrelita came into the Storefront bearing thank-you cards for the advisors who had helped her. She finally received a full retroactive payment, and regular payments had begun.

In Estrelita’s words:

“I came to Project Genesis for help because of my friend. I was telling her that because of my health problems, it was getting harder for me to work. My friend told me that she had also had serious health problems which meant she would have to stop working and have surgery. She had gone to Project Genesis to see if there was anything she could do. Project Genesis had helped her apply for government benefits, so that she would have money to live on while she recovered from surgery and wouldn’t have to worry about not being able to work. She told me I should go to Project Genesis to see if they could help me too.

Sometimes, as an immigrant to this country, you feel insecure about asking for help. How will people treat you and what will they think? We try our best to work hard, so when something happens and you need help, it’s not easy. Some places try to discourage you when you ask for support, but at Project Genesis, you don’t feel judged; you feel welcomed. You can voice what is in your heart, and they listen, which is so nice. At Project Genesis, they encourage you.

Project Genesis helped me apply for my pension. They did so much for me – they did everything! The application process took such a long time. It was very stressful. The government kept on asking me to fill more and more questionnaires about my situation and my history. I didn’t have anything to hide – I would answer their questions but they kept sending me more things to fill out. I wasn’t sure when it would end and what the result would be. Sometimes my mood was so low, I just felt like giving up. Even my daughter saw how stressful it was for me, and wondered if it was worth it for me to continue the process. Three times I almost decided to give up, but Project Genesis encouraged me to keep going. When you’re down and somebody is there to help you and give you moral support, that’s a very good feeling that money cannot buy.

The whole process ended up taking about nine months, but in the end, I received my pension! I will never forget Project Genesis’ encouragement and their help!”

Estrelita, Storefront service user

Interested in more?

Donate to Project Genesis’ Anti-Poverty Work in Memory of John Kinloch

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Quiz: How well do you know Project Genesis’ Storefront?

PG — Tue, 05 May 2015 21:16:55 +0000

May 2015

Have you used the services of the Storefront? Are you a current or past volunteer or intern? How well can you answer questions related to what goes on in the Storefront?*

Give our quiz a try and see how you score!

QUESTION 1:

Besides staff, individual services are provided by volunteer advisors, receptionists, students, and interns, all of whom are closely supervised by staff.

How many volunteers, students and interns provided services at the Storefront and for Home Advocacy Services last year?

a) 40

Sorry, incorrect. Try again!

b) 50

Sorry, incorrect. Try again!

c) 60

Sorry, incorrect. Try again!

d) 70

CORRECT!
An amazing 70 people, including 56 volunteers and 14 students and interns, gave of their time in the Storefront! Are you interested in being one of them? Click here for more on our volunteer opportunities.

QUESTION 2:

Last year, the number of in-person and follow-up interventions provided by staff, volunteers, students, and interns in the Storefront was…

a) Under 5000

Sorry, incorrect. Try again!

b) 5000 - 7000

Sorry, incorrect. Try again!

c) 7000 - 9000

Sorry, incorrect. Try again!

d) Over 9000

CORRECT!
In fact, we had over 9,200 in-person and follow-up interventions!

QUESTION 3:

Name the 6 languages besides English and French which were used by staff and volunteers during Storefront interventions last year:

S __ __ __ __ __ __

Click for answer

Spanish

R __ __ __ __ __ __

Click for answer

Russian

H __ __ __ __

Click for answer

Hindi

U __ __ __

Click for answer

Urdu

M __ __ __ __ __ __ __

Click for answer

Mandarin

G __ __ __ __ __

Click for answer

Gujrati

QUESTION 4:

Each year, we see people in the Storefront who were born in all parts of the world. Last year, we saw service users from 129 places of origin. Which of the following countries was NOT among these 129?

a) Madagascar

Sorry, incorrect. We did have service users last year from Madagascar. Try again!

b) Montserrat

Sorry, incorrect. We did have service users last year from Montserrat. Try again!

c) Mozambique

CORRECT!
We did not have any service users last year from Mozambique. The full list of places of origin of service users last year (in alphabetical order) is: Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Congo, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cuba, Curaçao, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Eritrea, Ethiopia, France, Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Guatemala, Guinea, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hong Kong, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Latvia, Lebanon, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Malaysia, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Moldavia, Mongolia, Montserrat, Morocco, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan, Palestine, Panama, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Slovakia, Somalia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Sudan, Sweden, Syria, Taiwan,Tajikistan, Tanzania, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States of America, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Venzuela, and Vietnam

d) Mauritius

Sorry, incorrect. We did have service users last year from Mauritius. Try again!

QUESTION 5:

Besides the weekend, there is one day of the week that the Storefront is always closed to the public. Which day is it?

a) Tuesday

Sorry, incorrect. Try again!

b) Wednesday

CORRECT!
Our opening hours vary throughout the week; click here for our complete hours.

c) Thursday

Sorry, incorrect. Try again!

d) Friday

Sorry, incorrect. Try again!

QUESTION 6:

In the Storefront, we provide information and follow-up within specific areas of intervention.

The area for which we provided the most number of in-person and follow-up interventions last year was:

a) Housing

CORRECT!
Housing accounted for 43% of our interventions. Of these, the majority were for repairs and problems in people’s dwellings, followed by rent increases and evictions.

b) Welfare

Sorry, incorrect. Try again!

c) Pensions

Sorry, incorrect. Try again!

d) Financial issues

Sorry, incorrect. Try again!

QUESTION 7:

Last year, 23% of our Storefront interventions were related to welfare, with most of these related to checking eligibility and applying for benefits.

In 2015, for a single person without children, employment limitations or health issues, how much is the basic monthly welfare amount?.

a) $515/month

Sorry, incorrect. Try again!

b) $616/month

CORRECT!
This is the entire amount, and is meant to cover rent, food, clothing, transportation and other expenses for the entire month.

c) $717/month

Sorry, incorrect. Try again!

d) $818/month

Sorry, incorrect. Try again!

Click the image to read about a welfare problem we helped with:SORTING OUT WELFARE WOES

QUESTION 8:

Last year, 14% of our Storefront interventions were related to pensions.

.TRUE OR FALSE:

A person who has no other source of income is entitled to Old Age Security benefits (commonly referred to as Old Age pension) at the age of 65.

a) True

Sorry, incorrect. Try again!

b) False

CORRECT!
Eligiblity for Old Age Security is based on age as well as other factors, such as years of residency in Canada. Some people may not be eligible, even if they are 65 years old and without other sources of income. However, they may be eligible for welfare or other benefits. The federal government is also gradually increasing the eligible age for OAS to 67 years as of 2023.

Click the image to read about a pension problem we helped with:NEGOTIATING BUREAUCRATIC DELAYS

QUESTION 9:

One of the benefits we help people apply for is Shelter Allowance.

As of October 2015, what is the minimum age for a single person without children to potentially be eligible for Shelter Allowance?

a) 18 years old

Sorry, incorrect. Try again!

b) 21 years old

Sorry, incorrect. Try again!

c) 50 years old

CORRECT! 50 years old as of October 2015.
There are other eligibility requirements based on income, assets, and monthly housing expenses. The maximum possible amount of the benefit is $80/month.

d) 65 years old

Sorry, incorrect. Try again!

QUESTION 10:

How many advisor stations are in the Storefront?

a) 4

Sorry, incorrect. Try again!

b) 5

Sorry, incorrect. Try again!

c) 6

CORRECT!
There are 5 cubicles and one additional open station (shown in the photo), for a total of 6 advisor stations in the Storefront.

d) 7

Sorry, incorrect. Try again!

HOW DID YOU DO?

10 correct answers:

Congratulations! You have an excellent knowledge of the Storefront and Project Genesis’ work!

7-9 correct answers:

Good job! You definitely know your way around the Storefront and have a strong knowledge of the work we do!

5-7 correct answers:

Well done! You have a good basic knowledge of the Storefront, with room to learn the specific details.

Less than 5 correct answers:

You’ve started learning about the Storefront and what goes on there – keep up the good work!

THANKS FOR PLAYING ALONG!

* Storefront statistics based on fiscal year ending in May 2014.

The Storefront: Sorting out welfare woes

PG — Wed, 01 Apr 2015 16:11:38 +0000

Storefront staff reviewing a file

When Ms. B.’s monthly welfare cheque was somewhat mysteriously cut by over $400, she was referred to Project Genesis by a friend.

When Ms. B.’s monthly welfare cheque was somewhat mysteriously cut by over $400, she was referred to Project Genesis by a friend.

After reading the rather cryptic letter of explanation, the Storefront advisor who met with her explained that her cheque was being cut because it was considered that Ms. B. was benefiting from income from a rooming-house operation. Not only that, Ms. B. was facing a large debt because she had neglected to declare the income from roomers for some time.

In fact, Ms. B. lived in an apartment with her four grown daughters, her son-in-law and two grandchildren. Two of her daughters were in full-time studies, one was on sick leave, and the other cared for her two pre-schoolers while her husband worked.

Contesting this debt and eliminating the deductions required researching the relevant sections of the welfare law, regulations, and interpretation manual. The advisor requested a floor plan of the apartment, and one of Ms. B.’s daughters did one, to scale, and with precise measurements. When the staff person on duty saw the plan, she suggested to Ms. B. that this daughter might be interested in volunteering at Project Genesis.

Eventually, two of Ms. B.’s daughters became volunteer receptionists. Following the Storefront interventions, Ms. B.’s cheque was restored to its full amount and the debt was cancelled. In addition, the advisor suggested to Ms. B., who uses a mobility aid, that her cheque might be increased if she submitted a medical report. In the end, Ms. B. ended up with a higher monthly income, and Project Genesis gained two volunteers!

Opening new avenues of hope

PG — Fri, 27 Mar 2015 22:48:34 +0000

Brigitte, volunteer Storefront advisor

“It felt good to provide information concerning financial assistance and housing options, empowering her to make effective change in her life.”

“One thing I feel good about this year was assisting a single woman in her 50s with severe mobility issues who was in financial difficulty.

She was distraught when she came in, concerned about the fact that she had great problems going up the three flights of stairs to her apartment and discouraged that her disability prevented her from searching for a new place. To make matters worse, she was scared that her welfare income would not be sufficient to pay for a dwelling more appropriate for her needs.

I looked at her current sources of income and discovered that she could be entitled to Shelter Allowance as well as additional benefits due to her disability. With the new income, it could be possible for her to find a new apartment better suited to her current situation.

She left the office feeling reassured and hopeful. It felt good to provide information concerning financial assistance and housing options, empowering her to make effective change in her life.”

Brigitte, volunteer Storefront advisor

Interested in more?

Donate to Project Genesis’ Anti-Poverty Work in Memory of John Kinloch

Get Involved

Donate to Project Genesis

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Obtaining benefits for a single mother in a time of crisis

PG — Thu, 26 Mar 2015 12:14:40 +0000

OBTAINING BENEFITS FOR A SINGLE MOTHER IN A TIME OF CRISIS

“In sharp contrast to the corporate legal world in which I work every day, as a Storefront volunteer I see people in desperate need of the most basic legal information.

I was grateful to have the opportunity this year to assist a young single mother who had immigrated to Canada from China to make a better life for her son. She was receiving government assistance under a job training program when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. We were able to ensure that welfare would take the place of the job training payments during her period of treatment and convalescence.

My thoughts go with her for a speedy recovery.”

Catherine, volunteer Storefront advisor

Interested in more?

Donate to Project Genesis’ Anti-Poverty Work in Memory of John Kinloch

Get Involved

Donate to Project Genesis

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Standing in solidarity with those in difficulty

PG — Mon, 19 Jan 2015 17:49:56 +0000

Camille, Storefront advisor and student intern

“Project Genesis is unique in the way it situates individuals (often experiencing significant difficulties) in the context of a community, ready to stand with them and equip them to take action.”

SUPPORTING AND STANDING IN SOLIDARITY WITH THOSE IN DIFFICULTY

“I became involved in Project Genesis by way of an internship available for law students at the Université de Montréal. For me, the particular appeal of this organization was its social objectives, which reach far beyond the work it does through individual interventions. Project Genesis is unique in the way it situates individuals (often experiencing significant difficulties) in the context of a community, ready to stand with them and equip them to take action.

I had the opportunity to help a service user who was deeply concerned about their financial situation. Their primary source of income, Employment Insurance, was soon coming to end, and they didn’t know how they would be able to live and pay their bills once it ended. Together, we explored various possible sources of revenue to see if this person would qualify. We examined their past, present, and possible future financial situation in some depth, since various programs require applicants to provide detailed explanations of their income and expenses in order to determine eligibility. Ultimately, welfare was the only option available to them, but they would only be able to apply once their EI benefits were ending. It’s extremely daunting and disheartening to have to wait until you’re almost down to your last dollar to be eligible for last-resort financial assistance. I explained the details of the welfare program to the person. There are complexities to the program, and it demands a lot of you, so it’s important that people understand the implications of applying for and receiving this benefit.

Unfortunately, many people may find themselves in a situation where they do not have the means to financially support themselves or their families. Poverty is a reality linked to wide range of interconnected problems. Nobody should have to struggle and fight for their basic survival. It is our duty to stand in solidarity with and support anyone facing an oppressive system which refuses to side with those in difficulty.

The service user was initially extremely worried about being unable to make ends meet. I think our interaction helped them feel more secure and confident about getting the support they needed to take the next steps.”

Camille, Storefront advisor and student intern

Interested in more?

Donate to Project Genesis’ Anti-Poverty Work in Memory of John Kinloch

Get Involved

Donate to Project Genesis

Storefront

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Negotiating bureaucratic delays

PG Editor — Sat, 22 Feb 2014 04:53:00 +0000

Geneviève, Storefront advisor and student intern

“The Storefront staff were instrumental in guiding me in assessing the situation so that I could confidently take the next steps in working towards a resolution for Mr. G.”

NEGOTIATING BUREAUCRATIC DELAYS

“Mr. G, a Storefront user, had recently celebrated his 65th birthday and was entitled to start receiving his Old Age Security pension in lieu of the welfare benefits he had been receiving. In anticipation of this transition, welfare had already cut his benefits; however, Mr. G’s pension payments had not yet begun due to bureaucratic delays. In the interim, Mr. G found himself without any income and unable to pay his rent. Furthermore, Mr. G was suffering from significant memory problems which made it challenging for him to address his situation himself.

I called the supervisor at Mr. G’s welfare office to follow up on his situation. They evaluated his file and granted Mr. G temporary benefits until his pension payments began. Mr. G was relieved that he would not be left stranded without any income simply for bureaucratic reasons.

The Storefront staff were instrumental in guiding me in assessing the situation so that I could confidently take the next steps in working towards a resolution for Mr. G. I realized the importance of teamwork in making this a successful intervention.”

Geneviève, Storefront advisor and student intern