“My name is Leisa and I’ve been a resident of Indwell since 263 [Victoria St., Mississauga – Cornerstone Suites] opened.”
Thus began one of the most impactful moments of a fundraising event held at Summit Garden Chinese Restaurant in Mississauga on April 23, 2026. With nearly 240 people listening, Leisa shared the story of what brought her to Indwell and how it has impacted her.
“I was homeless and had nowhere to go,” she explained, adding that her period of homelessness overlapped with the COVID-19 epidemic. “It was not pretty. I had no friends, no family, I had no support at all.”
For Leisa, this period was especially dark and challenging. She struggled with poverty and mental illness. What’s more, while living in the shelter system, her son died. The isolation and loneliness of homelessness, she said, is something most people do not understand when they walk by someone on the streets.
“When you become homeless, you lose everything. Not just your dignity. Not just your possessions. Sometimes you lose the love of your family. You have no one else to look to.”
Indwell changed that. Standing next to Jess Brand, regional director of Indwell for Peel Region, and being encouraged with smiles, hugs, and claps from several staff of Cornerstone Suites, Leisa shared that Indwell provided her with not just a roof over her head, but also community.
“We are family here,” she said. Wraparound supports, and positive tenant interaction, provide the type of community where residents such as Leisa can thrive.
“Look at me. You’d never know I was homeless,” she said. “I had nothing — no hope, no possessions, nothing. I stand here as a well-rounded human being and as a survivor of mental illnesses, poverty, and homelessness.”
“I’m happy again,” she added. “I have my smile back. I’ve grown so much and I love the woman I am today.”
Leisa added that she doesn’t regret her period of homelessness. “Those footsteps that I walked in have brought me here today,” she said, adding that she is forever grateful to everyone who has donated to Indwell.
“Thank you to everyone who has invested in this program for the homeless community. And for what you are doing for us today to put homes over our heads,” she said. “With all that is going on in the world today, I want to say, we did it. We are making an impact. We are bringing love and hope, and I am grateful.”
The event at Summit Gardens raised over $51,000 for Indwell programs in Mississauga. For those who missed it, please consider attending an upcoming Hope and Homes event where additional stories from Indwell tenants will be shared. You can learn more at indwell.ca/events.
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