Fontbonne MinistriesFontbonne MinistriesCelebrating 25 Years
Stories from this year

You will meet individuals whose lives intersect with Fontbonne.

These stories are not exceptions. They speak to the steady work that happens every day across Fontbonne's programs.

A person in a blue jacket walking on a snowy Toronto street
Drop-in

Bernie: "You can breathe here."

Bernie had walked past the building for years without knowing what happened inside. A friend from his church mentioned there was foot care available, and that was enough to bring him through the door. He did not expect to stay.

"I was positively surprised when I came in. Everyone was so welcoming, and the rules were not rigid compared to other places. I realized there were plenty of services all under one roof."

"This is really a decent place where you can just be in peace."
Fontbonne Place

Toni: A place to land.

In her early forties, Toni was running her own business. Then in quick succession she lost both parents, left an abusive relationship, and experienced serious health issues. She lost her business, her income, and eventually her housing.

When she learned Fontbonne Place was women-only, accessible, and pet-friendly, she persisted. Walking into her new apartment for the first time, she was stunned. "I didn't even own a chair before. I walked in, and everything I needed was already here."

"I'm not going anywhere. This is the first place in a long time where I feel settled."

The average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Toronto was about $2,343 per month in Q1 2025. Women account for more than a third of people experiencing homelessness in Canada.

By the numbers

18

rent-geared-to-income apartments at Fontbonne Place

7

original residents still call it home, 25 years on

Footcare Clinic

Sam: Finally comfortable on her feet.

Now in her late seventies, Sam first came to Fontbonne's drop-in in 2011, after her husband died. "I'm fussy about my feet," she says, laughing. "But I've had problems with them for years."

At other places, the appointments felt rushed. She became anxious about anyone touching her feet — they got so bad that she wouldn't even take her socks off, and she stopped swimming altogether.

Chronic fungal infections meant thick, painful nails. Dr. Minh treated the underlying infection using approaches shaped by his own research and experience. From the start, Sam noticed how different the experience felt.

"Dr. Minh is an angel. I call him Twinkle Toes — because he's so gentle. I didn't even feel what he was doing."

Now, she says, her feet feel lighter. Better than they have in years. When foot pain is managed, Dr. Minh sees people walk farther, stand more confidently, and move with ease again.

Trench foot — commonly associated with military history — remains a current and preventable risk for people experiencing homelessness during Canadian winters. Regular foot care can prevent injuries from becoming serious enough to limit mobility.