I first visited 6 St. Joseph House during the summer of 2008 and was immediately impressed with the programs and people at the house. Here was a self-directed community that used creative and wellness activities to enable individuals to improve their lives. I quickly became involved in helping to put together brochures and other communications materials for the Yellow Door Learning Centre.

I began attending the Yellow Door Café, a coffee house that is held the second Saturday of every month. I met several other musicians over the months and have formed a band that plays regularly at the Yellow Door Café and other venues around the city.

I also had the good fortune to be asked to participate in the Bell Telephone Boxes Mural Project. This was a downtown beautification project initiated by the Bay Corridor Community Association that provided artwork by eight artists from 6 St. Joseph House on telephone exchange boxes at seven different locations in the Bay and Wellesley neighbourhood.

I managed the project as well as painting one of the boxes. All of the artists reported fantastic responses by passers-by. Many personally thanked the artists and expressed support for local residents, business and government combining with artists to improve the visual environment. This is a good example of how 6 St. Joseph House provides tangible benefits for the whole community through its work.

6 St. Joseph House is a unique resource that gives people at a crossroads in their lives an opportunity to use their inherent talents and abilities to build confidence, develop their skills and contribute in a meaningful way to their community.

Michael Cavanagh


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