What does it mean to empower individuals facing homelessness with technology? What is the intersection of technology, human-centered design, and government relations in our work? Here is a look at our journey and the nuances of Ample Labs’ work through the lens of our dedicated Board of Directors.

But first, how did we begin?

Before Ample Labs was an official tech non-profit, it started as a series of focus groups at the Fred Victor Centre. That is where two of our board members met, and our founder CG began her work.

“I met CG at Fred Victor where I was…

Meet Cam Galindo, an adventure-loving 26-year-old who’s also an elected public School Board Trustee in Hamilton. He’s been to 29 countries, was a flag bearer in the 2016 Olympics, and loves being with people!

Born in Colombia, he moved to Canada when he was just six years old. He recently joined Ample Labs as a community lead spearheading the launch of Chalmers in Hamilton. Within a few weeks, he shared a realization:

“I did some reflecting and realized I have actually been a hidden homeless individual. I never thought of myself that way before. That label never seemed like me…

“I’m not ready to talk about what happened to me.”

Jade shared an apartment with a partner and faced constant domestic abuse. Terrified and without close connections to family to stay with, she decides to leave with her dog. She finds Chalmers when searching for crisis help, which refers her to a women’s help hotline. Unfortunately, she must disclose the details of her abuse in order to be eligible for a women’s shelter. Jade feels too ashamed to talk about what happened. She looks for another way and ends up Couchsurfing.

During COVID-19, Toronto has experienced an 18% spike in…

The COVID-19 pandemic has pushed many of us on the edge, suffering in silence.

Once CERB runs out and landlords are able to evict again, who among us will be affected?

As more jobs open up again, what kind of barriers will keep those needing work from being hired?

Could there be colleagues and friends in our own circles that may be struggling in silence?

According to Stats Canada, 1 in 10 Canadians have faced homelessness in their lifetime. Our 1 in 10 video series is based on the real-life stories, of three Canadians who’ve faced hidden homelessness. …

When Joel was 15, he was living in shelters. He went from Calgary to Edmonton, then Vancouver and finally Toronto. He decided to explore because he had nothing to lose.

In 2015, Megan signed a 1-year lease in Kensington Market but only stayed there for three weeks. Her landlord was extremely creepy — and with the help of friends and family, she could make the move.

It was the perfect spot in Kensington Market, a ten-minute walk from OCADU where she was studying. The rent was only $500 a month which was a steal for Toronto, especially on a student budget. However, the boundaries this man overstepped was too much.

Fast forward to 2019, and a picture circulates around Facebook. It’s a screenshot of a bald, middle-aged man’s Facebook profile…

A year ago, CG was doing her dream job as a product designer at Tulip.

But as she looked at the world around her — she realized she was living in a bubble. She started talking to those she passed on the streets every day, and she began to see a different reality. One that was dark and lonely, but filled with some of the most beautiful and compassionate people.

“I know someone who lives in Toronto Community Housing. He’ll let anyone sleep there, and even gives up his bedroom to sleep in the kitchen. People will hurt him, steal…

Thank you, Simon, for trusting us with your story. It takes a lot of courage to speak about a recent trauma and such a vulnerable part of your life. By sharing stories like yours, we at Ample Labs hope to demystify homelessness and build empathy for the invisible homeless.

Meet Simon, a smart and articulate young man. By day, he’s a corporate account manager for an IT solutions firm. At work, he puts on a serious face but by night he’s a dog cuddling movie buff. He likes to cook for his mom and spend time with his family. …