Forging a New Pathway with GET SET (Adult Learning Program)
Jason is one of the many participants West Neighbourhood House works with across our different program areas. The program highlights here reflect the diverse ways we connect individual self-development to collective change.
Jason Miles has lived many lives. He has gone from having a good career and a home of his own to living on the streets for years and struggling with addiction. Now in recovery, he is successfully rebuilding the life he wants.
One of Jason’s regrets is not finishing his high school education. After being rehoused, he shares, “I was in a position where I wanted to try and do some things … Something I could set my sights on.” After finding our Adult Learning program, he enrolled in the Canadian Adult Education Credential (CAEC) Preparation class launched this year.
Jason expects to complete his high school diploma this summer so he can finally apply to university. “At 44 years old, it was something that I actually found a little bit scary at first, to be honest, the idea of going back into a classroom setting again at this point in my life. But, the staff were wonderful, they made me feel comfortable.”
He is one of the many learners who joined our first CAEC Preparation cohort, “I was surprised at the ease with which all of us in the room were able to build a community amongst ourselves.” The group supports a vital lifelong learning and reskilling pathway for adults.
“The program taught English, Math, Science, Geography, and more. There was a class on government that was a deep dive into municipal, provincial, and federal politics in Canada,” Jason explains. “I really felt supported. It was delivered in a manner that accommodated all the different educational and learning levels in the class.”
“I felt it was a wrong that I really needed to correct. I feel a strong sense of accomplishment, because I did it for myself,” he adds.
Jason has been busy applying some of his social studies lessons. He is taking his experiences, along with all his new learning, to different places – including advising Toronto City Council and Mayor Chow. He has become an advocate for unhoused neighbours and also wants to see more support around harm reduction for those living with addiction. “I want to help create pathways so that people get the same opportunities that I had,” he says.
Jason is also a resident of Dunn House, the first social medicine housing in Canada, which supports formerly unhoused individuals with chronic and serious health issues. West Neighbourhood House was involved with the Welcome Committee, together with our partners the City of Toronto, University Health Network and the United Way Greater Toronto.
He believes that this kind of supportive housing can go a long way to easing the homeless crisis that the city is experiencing.
“I feel so grateful to be [at Dunn House]. After spending six years homeless and suffering from severe mental health crisis, addiction and physical ailments, it has really provided the level of stability and quality of life that I needed.”
The facility has a doctor’s office, meals, and case management, which ensures the residents have access to immediate support at all times.
“It has a support structure and circle of care that is built into it. It’s done so much for my ability to leave the challenges I faced behind and move forward with my life.”
Jason appreciates taking part in the Adult Learning program, “It was right at that intersection of what I wanted to do at this stage of my life. Getting that extra set of skills in my toolbox.” He now looks forward to going to university to continue studies in public policy and sociology.