Belinda's Place - Newmarket, Ontario

Lexxii Fleming

I personally experienced many ups and downs in my life while residing at Belinda's place. Through my many stays at Belinda's I can say that I was most often met with compassion and empathy from most of the staff I encountered even though I didn't necessarily deserve it. Once I became willing to put forth the effort in my recovery and in life Belinda's staff were willing to work with me with any and all needs that needed to be met. If you are looking for help to get back on your feet and are willing to put forth the effort then this place may be for you. Thank you to all the staff at Belinda's for the amazing support. 🙂

Me Unknown

You will Never get help with housing. Staff will ignore you. They only let you stay for 30 days then your on the street. Everyone has been jumping from shelter to shelter instead of getting the help they Need! A home! How can you call it a homeless shelter you can't afford market rent but it's been 30 days they got funding for you from the Salvation army and York region. That's All they care about is getting their funding so they have jobs. Your nothing to them. Even when they speak nice they seem really interested in helping you. It's a lie! Most staff members talk and laugh about the homeless residents they think behind their backs. Someone always hears but they still don't care cause they'll just kick you out and replace you within hours. Someone needs to push the staff to actually work and help people get a place not kick them to the curb!

Sophie H

I live near this shelter and my neighbourhood has never had any problems with the tenants and we've had no disruptions at all, and absolutely no issues of safety. However, I am worried about the tenants having seen their reviews of this place and talked to one of them. This is an important institution for our community to have and I welcome it wholeheartedly, but I hope the people running it are treating their tenants well and I hope they are aware of their responsibility to protect their tenants.

Anna

I staid at Belinda's on the 3'rd floor transitional housing unit for exactly one week from Monday May 8 until Sunday May 14, 2023. During that week I paid my $300 rent early, while being told by residents on the second floor who are in a shelter and pay nothing to stay in such beautiful accommodations, that I am not allowed to eat food from "their" fridge. This is after staff told me that I am entitled to 3 free meals a day for my first 2 weeks there.
I was working two jobs and doing my most to just adjust and hang in there. However, due to a misunderstanding I was asked to leave after my first week, and without any argument I gathered my most important belongings and left.

Since then for the past month I have been waiting for a reimbursement so I can feed myself and gas up my car while being back on the street.

I have been told that from original request for reimbursement, an accountant issues a cheque for the amount 2 weeks later. Today is June 8th. Exactly one month. I never got my reimbursement. Even after many many calls and 2 in person visits.

The staff cares more about their pride than returning money to a person that is much much less privileged than them.

I will gift $300 to them if they want, but some or any real explanation would be much appreciated. However, I got none.

If I could give 0 starts I would.

This is the property on which a Historic building stood on for more than 200 years and they graciously tore down history and opened a homeless shelter for women in need in the Newmarket area, where homeless is a huge problem. Belinda's place never had to secure the property. It was given to them. This is all written on a plaque in their beautiful courtyard.

And now its a toxic place, full of women (staff and clients) who would rather tear each other down than build each other up for future success. What a waste of history. Women there are habitually homeless and doing the worst illicit drugs on the market.

Kerry Weeks

I thought they were good till I had my second stage worker threaten to put me in group home after suggesting they do newsletter for clients w resources. To have a unempathetic worker. We are just numbers thrown into 2nd stage wo any help resources when al for help they twist turn words around. I’m saddened that there are some great workers there but the one who deals w elderly is not one who should a she is not kind and we just a at check to her. She has met me maybe 4 x always cancelling mtgs so we have 0 chance of getting ahead when they themselves do not care. The only reason I gave 2* is cause workers in shelter are some really good people

Chiara Vaira

They were nice to me because I needed a place to rest for a few hours but oh my god the stories I heard and people that have been there? You guys are a money hungry company that feeds from the government and gives nothing back.
You’re ridiculous. You need to be charged …

Kim Mason

Unless you actively use dope and alcohol or a favourite of the shelter managers don't bother asking for help. Ex outreach worker, the current shelter manager has lost clients belongings if he didn't give it to other clients.

Melissa MacDonald

Won't visit , won't stay they are a really crappy facility. Wish them luck with their current intake process as I believe they are slow and ineffective. Worst place ever.