True Experience Supportive Housing and Community Work Program

Record #: SIM1536
Last Full Update: 19 Feb 2025

Service Details

Hours
  • Community Work Program Mon-Fri 8 am-4 pm  
  • Supportive Housing (Opportunity House) 24-hour care home
  • Supportive Housing (Trillium Manor) 12-hour staffed 8 am-8 pm                                                                           
  • Elizabeth Crescent Empowerment Program (ECEP) 2-hour staff support & 24-hour emergency on-call services  
  • Social Recreation Program Mon-Fri - various hours
Areas Served Dunnville - Work Program ; Haldimand County - Housing Program and Social Recreational Program ; Norfolk County - Housing Program
Eligibility Ages: 17 year(s) and up 
 
Diagnosis of mental illness; must be medication compliant and stable for housing program
Application
  • self-referral
  • family or friends
  • other agencies or clergy
  • medical community
Languages English ; Interpretive Services - arrangements can be made to provide interpreters for any language
Fees Service ;
  • Community Work Program- Clients participate in this program without program fees
  • Supportive Housing (all levels) - Residents pay a monthly program fee
  • Community Outreach- no program fees associated with this program
  • Social Recreation- small fees may be applicable depending on activity

Address and Location

Located In Community Dunnville
Address & Map
Main Office and Administration
201 Forest St E
Dunnville, ON N1A 3G5
Intersection Forest St E and Tamarac St
Physical Access Fully Accessible - Office, Community Work Program. Residents of Opportunity House have wheelchair ramp and chair lifts for all 3 stories. There is no elevator. Trillium Manor and Elizabeth Crescent Empowerment Program must be fully ambulatory as there are 3 stories (stairs)

Description

Description (Service)

Organization helps individuals living with mental illness to attain fulfilling, healthy and independent lifestyles by providing support through the Community Work Program, Therapeutic Supportive Housing (3 uniques levels of care), Community Outreach and Social Recreational Programs

Community Work Program - self-sufficient work program for people living with mental illness

  • promotes stable and independent living conditions for participants
  • reduces dependency on health and social service agencies
  • promotes participant contribution to the community and peer support among participants
  • staff contracts, schedules and supervises participant's work hours
  • employees are paid minimum wage and can work as little or as much as they want

Activities:

  • lawn maintenance
  • yard/garden clean up
  • snow removal
  • janitorial services
  • piecework assembly
  • small moves
  • garage and basement clean-outs and dump runs

Therapeutic Supportive Housing Programs -accommodation for people living with mental illness

LEVEL 1

  • 24-hour staff-supported care home "Aging in Place"
  • Opportunity House,  213 Lock St W, Dunnville 
  • 7-bed home 
  • assist clients in attaining optimum level of functioning and responsible self-direction
  • provide personal care as required
  • provide private convalescent and end-of-life care when required 
  • affordable monthly program fee

LEVEL 2

  • 12-hour staff supported care home
  • Trillium Manor
  • 7-bed each Supportive Housing homes where residents participate in the daily operations of the homes
  • assist in preparing for independent living
  • housing staff provide guidance and support and are on call to handle emergent situations 24/7
  • clients are offered social recreational activities regularly
  • encourage resident involvement in work activity, education and or volunteering 
  • affordable monthly program fee

LEVEL 3

  • three homes for a total of 9 beds
  • Elizabeth Crescent Empowerment Program (ECEP) 
  • outreach coordination and 24-hour emergency on-call staff support
  • affordable, fully furnished and all-inclusive monthly program fees 

Community Outreach 

  • provides emotional support, crisis intervention and assistance with government programs
  • conducts assessments and identifies individual needs in the community who require mental health supports
  • crisis intervention and ensures emergency services are obtained when required
  • creates awareness surrounding mental health concerns and advocates for individuals needs

Social Recreation Program - encourages interaction in a safe and supportive environment

  • organized activities such as cards, darts, billiards, air hockey, movies, all indoors; horseshoes and volleyball outdoors weather permitting; walking club
  • organized outings such as baseball games, soccer games, theatre, hockey games, baking days, barbeques, etc

Contact Information

Office Phone
  • Administration 905-774-6165
  • Housing Program: Opportunity House 905-774-8691
  • Trillium Manor 289-738-0778
Fax 905-774-4620
E-Mail rhonda@trueexperience.ca
Website www.trueexperience.ca
Social Media Facebook
Primary Contact Rhonda Geyer, Executive Director; Phone: 905-774-6165 ext 202
Alternate Contact Linda Schouwstra, Housing Coordinator; Phone: 289-684-9408 * 905-774-6165 ext 203; Email: linda@trueexperience.ca