A senior called 211 and explained that her adult son with a disability had received an eviction order and was refusing to leave or accept help. She was terrified—either she would have to leave her senior apartment for a two-bedroom she couldn’t afford, or her son would end up on the streets.
She was very upset and didn’t know what to do. Her son was a client of Manitoba Families but didn’t have a caseworker, and she had already tried many numbers listed on a piece of paper.
She told the Service Navigator that every place she’d called wouldn’t let her explain—they just referred her elsewhere. The Service Navigator explained that 211 provides information and referral, but promised to listen first to ensure the referral was right.
The caller said her son needed to be placed in an assisted living facility, with support to avoid eviction and enough social interaction to prevent isolation.
The Service Navigator shared that Manitoba Families could support residential services and respite, and gave her the program name. When asked if she wanted to explore more, the caller said she didn’t want another list of numbers. The Service Navigator then offered a follow-up to help her make progress, and she accepted.
A few days later, during the follow-up, the caller said her son was getting a caseworker and things were moving forward. While she was still unsure how he would respond to new housing, she was relieved that there was now a plan and she didn’t feel as scared. They agreed to another follow-up in a few weeks to check in on progress.