Handbooks from People Who Know
Why Did We Create Handbooks?
We all experience new difficult moments in life we haven’t come across before. Navigating the unknown is daunting. It’s helpful to receive insight and practical support from people who know. In this series of handbooks, we tap into the expertise of people with lived experience to come up with practical advice, life hacks and ways to gracefully negotiate society’s big institutions.
Thanks to our Supporters!
Oasis, Donald J Mathews Fund, City of Toronto Employment & Social Services, Working For Change
Contact: Tai Huynh
An Insider's Guide to Ontario Works
Asking for assistance is not easy. On top of that, the rules of Ontario Works appear to be always changing, while life seems to just get harder. Between January and November 2017, a remarkable group of people came together to share their experiences with being on Ontario Works. From clients to caseworkers, peer navigators to community leaders, this handbook is a product of their collective wisdom.
Drawing upon the personal journeys of people who’ve been through it, this handbook humanizes the experience of being on social assistance. It is packed with practical tips, tools and strategies to help you navigate the system with confidence. Think of it as an insider’s guide to Ontario Works.
Thank you to City of Toronto Employment & Social Services, Working For Change
A Hospital Handbook
The Hospital Handbook was crafted from the practical know-how of 25 Canadian seniors, who collectively have over 2,000 years of life experience behind them. Through this handbook, they’re passing their wisdom, tips and tools for navigating the hospital on to you.
Think of this handbook as your travel guide to the hospital. Going to the hospital can sometimes feel like you’re travelling to a foreign country. Seemingly simple things like knowing what to pack before leaving home or finding your way around once you arrive can be surprisingly complicated. The language of hospitals can be confusing, and the handbook clarifies words in order to help you stay safe and out of trouble. And then there’s all the new people you’ll meet – knowing who they are and how to get what you need will make your next trip to the hospital a good one.