For Violet, 35, life in BC had become a delicate balancing act. Her disability assistance barely covered rent in a shared housing situation that never felt safe or suitable. Most months, she was left with almost nothing. She tried to stay grounded – attending neighbourhood programs, making a few close connections – but the weight of instability was constant. And despite her resilience, she could feel herself slipping.

What she longed for wasn’t just a new place to live. It was steadiness. Support. A sense of home.

A visit to Edmonton changed everything. Her brother flew her out for a short stay, and being with him – and with her mother, who had recently moved there too – brought a kind of ease she hadn’t felt in years. The support she needed was right there, waiting for her.

It was clear: going home wasn’t a step backward. It was the only step toward a life where she could truly stabilize and heal.

With her care team’s encouragement, Violet turned to the Homeward Bound program, funded by Streetohome, which gives people the dignity and means to return to supportive family environments when local options fall short. The program helped her prepare, ensured she had what she needed for the move, and arranged safe travel home where her brother would be waiting at the airport.

Leaving Vancouver and the friends she had made was bittersweet. But choosing herself, choosing safety, family, and a softer place to land just felt right.

Today, Violet is back in Edmonton, surrounded by the people who love her most, building a new beginning anchored in connection and belonging.

Sometimes home isn’t where you start; it’s where you return when you’re finally ready to be held.