Eliana Georgiou, Resident Women’s Advocate Worker, started her shift at the Yorktown Family Services women’s shelter expecting the arrival of a new resident on this particular fall day in 2023.
Mandy* and her three-year-old daughter Tina*, and 15-year-old son Max*, arrived at the shelter after seeking services in a downtown Violence Against Women services agency that connected them to Yorktown. “Space that could accommodate a Mom with a young child and older son had just become available that day and I helped get the rooms in order for them,” says Eliana.
Yorktown’s shelter is one of a few shelters that is able to accommodate male youth, up to the age of 18. The shelter was remodelled to have this option available several years ago as many teen boys would otherwise be separated from their mothers and siblings. Due to the remodelling, Max was able to stay at Yorktown’s shelter with his mother and sister.
“When the family arrived, it was clear that Mandy was worn down, emotionally beaten up–it was like her spirit was almost broken,” says Eliana. Charles, Mandy’s husband, had sponsored Mandy and their daughter Tina, to come to Canada from Cambodia two years ago. Charles was also from Cambodia but had been in Canada for many years. He spoke English fluently and knew Toronto very well. He also had friends and family here. Mandy did not know English and knew very little of this new country. She had only her young daughter; and a husband who was turning out to be a “wolf in sheep’s clothing,” as Mandy shared with Eliana through an interpreter.
Charles had promised Mandy a better life in Canada. She had been a teacher in Cambodia and he knew how much it meant to her that her children should have a good education. Charles agreed to assist Mandy in sponsoring her son Max, who was from her previous marriage, to come to Canada. It was soon after this got underway that Charles began to control every aspect of Mandy’s life and the biggest threat he held over her was to sabotage her sponsorship of Max. His abuse began to escalate; keeping her on her guard at all times and emotionally tormenting her. One evening, as the family was driving north of the city, Charles stopped the car and forced Mandy to get out. Terrified and in tears, not knowing where she was, Mandy feared not only for herself but for her daughter who was sobbing in the back seat as the car drove away. This type of emotional abuse continued for the next year while Mandy, living on a razor’s edge, prayed that Charles would not undermine her sponsorship of Max.
Mandy could hardly believe it when Max arrived. She was so happy to be reunited with her son—however, the joy was short-lived as Charles immediately turned his abuse toward Max.
“Mandy was resolute that she would not allow Charles to treat Max in such an abominable way,” shares Eliana. “And there was a ‘lucky break’—two weeks after Max arrived, Charles had to go back to Cambodia for a few weeks. Mandy did not squander the opportunity; she packed up her children and sought refuge. This is what brought them to Yorktown; it was thanks to a lucky break. I do believe that this family has survived as a result of Mandy’s fortitude and perseverance,” says Eliana.
Mandy has enrolled in ESL classes–she is enjoying her course and is making great progress. Tina was thought to have a learning disability, but it became clear that she needed treatment for emotional trauma and is now doing well. Max is adjusting to this new country and endures Mandy’s vigilance in ensuring he gives his all to his school work with a dry sense of humour. Mandy has been able to secure a lawyer to help her with her family law custody orders. She applied for special priority housing and is waiting to get an offer; hopefully soon. Mandy says she is so thankful for Yorktown’s shelter and the workers. She stated she “would be lost without the support that she, Tina, and Max have received” as she continues to shape a better future for herself and her children.
*Names and some details have been changed to protect the client’s privacy.
Upcoming Agency Closures:
Yorktown Family Services will be closing our Virtual Rapid Access Therapy on Saturday, October 18th, 2025.
Regular Service hours will resume on Monday, October 20th, 2025.
Yorktown Family Services will also be closing our offices at 1 pm on Thursday, October 30th, 2025 for our Annual General Meeting.
Rapid Access Therapy will be closed on that day.
All Regular Service hours will resume on Friday, October 31st, 2025
Thank you.