myowncalcuttablog.com

Becky bought her shoes at the Red Apple discount store on Ouellette Avenue.

What is your biggest struggle with poverty on a daily basis?

“Two things. Two big things. Food and addictions. I drink a lot most days so my money goes towards alcohol and cigarettes. And, then, for convenience, I tend to buy take-out or fast food. But, that adds up fast. The money doesn’t last long spending it like that.”

“My boyfriend and I were homeless for almost six months and we got into renting a home one month ago. I had a job cleaning houses but lost it when my mother died. She passed away in Sydney, Nova Scotia and I needed time off to go back there. We had left there in the first place because there were no jobs and a lot of drugs. We were both down to 120 pounds. Full-time drug addicts. There was a 10-month waiting list to get into a methadone program there. No future. That’s why we came to Windsor.”

What would you like people to know about living in poverty?

“Tell people to have some empathy! People don’t really know us. They judge us without knowing how soft and hurt and emotional we really are.”

“I’m doing good now. I’m off drugs. I still drink but at least no more drugs. I have a great partner. I don’t know where I’d be without James. He just lost his job but we’ll both find something new. Our biggest barrier is lack of a driver’s license. But, I have hope for better things and a happy, bright future. That’s what keeps me going each day.”