Frustrated - supportive housing

I've applied to get into a sober supportive living women's residence. I did this on the recommendation of my treatment team at my rehab. I hope to get in, because it's rent geared to income of which I currently have none, (Have some part time work starting shortly). It would be a safe enviroment, and the structure and having other women around would be good fior me as I tend to isolate.

I filled out the application and went for an interview back in Feb. and was told that I'd be placed on thier waiting list. ok - I get it, everything subsidized has waiting lists.

I called this week, on the advice of my social worker, just to see if I could find out where I am on the waiting list? No luck - just that I'm on it, and if an openning comes up they'll call me.

I mention this to my primary nurse who is technically my case manager. So she looked over the application form, and noticed it asked if the referring agency would be willing to provide a letter of recommendation? I'd said yes but at no time during my interview did they ask for one. Anyway the nurse called over and found out that not only do they want a letter or reference, they want 2 (It doesn't say this anywhere on the application). I can get my psychologist to write it and fax it in, but it's annoying me. if they wanted two letters of reference, why couldn't they just say so in the first place.

Now I'm also thinking, that I'm relatively advantaged - English is my first language, I'm computer savy, I can afford to pay a private psychologist, I have a whole team at my rehab helping me navigate the system, I'm educated, and I know how to be pushy on my own behalf. I'd hate to think what navigating the system would be like without my advantages.

splitimage

Tell me about it Splitimage, I am in the US and I have been getting the run around for the last 3 years with different people, that's a long story that I will not get into now. just one example: I have been trying since August to get a Well Women's Health check that is put on by the county with help from the American cancer society, I have got nothing but the run around. What gets me is I have worked all my life and now that I haven't been able to and need help all I get is dragged though the dirt it feel like. No wonder I am depressed! I hope you get in a place soon, sounds like it is not that much different in Canada than here. I wish you well.

Wonder if it is harder for women to find places to get in or not? My son was able to get into a men's residence very fast.

How many places are available Split?

Caretaker Leo - there are way more recovery residences for men than there are for women, at least here in Toronto. Seems a little weird to me, but there you go, I guess there's more demand. I know a lot of guys who got into recovery residences pretty quickly too, but most of them were coming out of the shelter system, so that path was emergency shelter, short terms stabilization housing, when they were in treatment, longer term sober housing. It seems that like everything, once you're in they system things go a lot faster, than trying to get into the system in the first place.

But I'm not giving up hope.

splitimage

Its good to think positive, try not to give up. Its really difficult when you want to get better and if environment is a stressor then its not easy. You know what is good for you and what isnt and yet finding a good environment to heal isnt always easy. It doesnt have to be a rehab centre, it could be a hut in the himalayas, a room in the house of a good caring friend - its different for everyone. So take care
best wishes
mala