“Mike is a recipient of the Ontario Disability Support Program due to a brain injury sustained many years ago; living on a fixed income, his basic needs were not being met and he felt as if he was "struggling to survive". In January of 2019, he vowed to seek help which led him to the NE Food Depot where he met LUSO staff and nursing student placements. In the the following weeks, Mike visited the Portable for some additional supports and attended our Market and Sugarbush trips which served as a way to break social isolation and meet other residents in the community. We learned quickly that Mike has many passions and interests. He loves music and is a talented guitarist; he had been creating a hand-built guitar for 18 months. In March, Mike brought the finished product to the Portable; it was a privilege to share his joy and to hear him play. This moment demonstrated Mike's personal growth over the course of just 3 months, growth that would not have been possible had Mike's basic needs not been met, and had he not felt supported and strengthened by his community. Mike continues to visit the Portable, sometimes as needed and sometimes just for a coffee and a chat!"     -LUSO staff person, with permission from Mike