Tristan was referred to StepStones in 2022 by a housing worker at the Pape Adolescent Resource Centre in Toronto. Estranged from his birth parents, he had been living in his grandparents’ shed, a very cold accommodation in the winter months. Paired with a Connection Coordinator at intake, he was able to secure a housing grant so he could move into a place of his own. A talented singer and multi-instrumentalist pursuing a music degree at George Brown College, Tristan found an apartment in Kensington Market, the vibrant arts community in the heart of Toronto, where he and his StepStones mentor watched some live music, and where Tristan played a few open mic nights himself. In 2023 Tristan played a set for his peers and the public at StepStones’ Stackt Market takeover (including one song in Japanese), and for StepStones youth, volunteers, and staff at the annual holiday dinner. He was also featured at a showcase concert for fourth-year students at George Brown and is set to graduate in April.
Tristan has remarked on several occasions how grateful he is to have a place to call home, and to be able to live safely and securely thanks to the support and stability he found through StepStones.
