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Hello, my name is Alexis, I’m 23 years old and I live in the Wellness Program at the YWCA. I started my journey with the YWCA after I moved out of Edmonton because of a bad relationship. When I moved back to Saskatoon, I spent a month in the Leslie and Irene Dube Center for Mental Health. When I was ready for discharge, I was sent to the respite room at the YWCA on the shelter floor. After a month of being in the respite room I moved in with some family for about a month and decided the YWCA was a better fit for me. The YWCA Wellness Program got me in right away in August and I’ve been living here ever since. In the Wellness Program we do a lot of things as a group, we cook, and do art together and if you ever need anything the program coordinators are there to talk to. The program coordinators also help with budgeting and can drive us to appointments. They are always there to listen to concerns and just hang out.

Since moving into the YWCA, I have gotten better with learning how to communicate with people. I used to be shy and reserved but now I’m talking to people every day, I’m able to salvage relationships and create new lasting relationships. I have recently entered University, learned to budget my student loan, and how to properly manage my time. I am also in a new relationship and am learning how to navigate it with my counsellors at the YWCA.

To me the YWCA is a safe haven, a place where I can figure out myself and a place to grow and help my mental illness. I have been diagnosed with bipolar type 1, PTSD and Borderline Personality Disorder. Ever since living in the YWCA, I have been able to get to the root of my mental illness and have been able to grow my coping skills.

I look forward to continuing my journey with the YWCA and thank all staff that have helped me along the way.