Nearly homeless, London man with developmental disability now has temporary home
Shawn Mitchell has come a long way in three weeks.
CTV News London first introduced you to Mitchell last month when he was facing potential long-term homelessness, and was taken in by a friend in mid-May. It wasn’t a permanent solution to Mitchell’s housing situation, but it bought some time.
Mitchell had been living in a group home run by Community Living London, but had left that environment after what he described as “mistakes” he had made, leading to frustration.
Now, with the help of St. Aidan’s Anglican Church and Community Living London, Mitchell has been placed in transitional housing, with a space to himself.
“I like it because it’s better than living on the street, or in a hotel or motel,” Mitchell said.
Shawn Mitchell and Kevin George go on a hike in London, Ont. on June 7, 2023. (Daryl Newcombe/CTV News London)“Very happy to say Shawn is no longer homeless,” added Kevin George, reverend at St. Aidan’s. “An incredible blessing.”
George has been heavily involved in finding a permanent housing solution for Mitchell since learning of his story. He had taken issue with Community Living London’s policy which allowed Mitchell to leave their facility in the first place.
“We had to put our differences behind us,” George said. “His dignity is what matters most to all of us.”
Mitchell will get about three hours a day of support from Community Living London staff in his new transitional housing situation, said George.
Mitchell has been embraced by the St. Aidan’s congregation. About 20 members of the church will also help Mitchell out when they can.
While a more permanent housing arrangement is worked on, Mitchell is expressing his gratitude by leading a spiritual Celtic prayer walk through the woods this week for parishioners who have supported him.
“I feel thankful for the church and their congregation, and all the people in the community that helped out,” said Mitchell.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
ANALYSIS Will Donald Trump go to prison? What the precedent says
Now that the jury in Donald Trump's criminal trial has made the historic decision to convict him, the judge overseeing the case will soon face a monumental choice: whether to sentence the 2024 Republican presidential candidate to time behind bars.
A pair enjoyed pricey meals and bolted when it was time to pay. Their dine and dash ended in jail
A Welsh couple who dined out on pricey meals and bolted when the bill came is now paying the price, behind bars.
The northern lights are returning to night skies across Canada this Friday
If you missed the brilliant displays of the aurora borealis over North America on May 10, you may have another chance to see them on Friday night.
Reactions pour in to Donald Trump's first-ever felony conviction for a former U.S. president
After hours of deliberations, a jury of Donald Trump's New York City peers convicted him on 34 counts, making him the first the former U.S. president in history with a felony conviction.
Can Trump come to Canada now that he's a convicted felon?
A Canadian immigration lawyer says now that Donald Trump is a convicted felon, he is technically barred from crossing the border into Canada.
Montreal tech billionaire charged with several sex offences
Robert Miller was charged Thursday with several sexual assault charges after Montreal police reopened an investigation into the tech billionaire.
Liberal government's own polling said Canadians worried about drug decriminalization
Months before British Columbia sought to scale back its drug decriminalization pilot project, the federal government's own polling suggested to officials that a majority of Canadians believed the policy would lead to an increase in overdoses.
Loblaw testing out small-format No Frills grocery stores
Loblaw is testing smaller-format discount stores across the country this year as shoppers increasingly look for ways to save on their grocery bill.
Doomsday plot: Jury convicts Idaho man of killing wife and girlfriend's 2 children
An Idaho man was convicted Thursday of killing his wife and his new girlfriend's two youngest kids in a strange triple murder case that included claims of apocalyptic prophesies, zombie children and illicit affairs.