‘If you’re thinking of joining TIFS, just take the leap and do it, it will change your life, I know it did mine.” – Leslie Bates
Leslie Bates (standing) at home with some of her TIFS friends
Trying It on For Size (TIFS) is a life skills program infused with the values of L’Arche. TIFS demonstrates that with friendship, interdependence, and belonging, people with intellectual disabilities flourish.
Leslie Bates joined TIFS in January 2020, graduating in 2022. TIFS is typically a yearlong program, but due to COVID-19 restrictions, TIFS had to stretch out over two years. During shutdowns and closures, Leslie enjoyed virtual TIFS classes: Homebound Cooking, Financial Literacy, and the social group Ladies Who Zoom. She also joined Epilepsy Toronto’s inaugural Online Program, Securing Futures. L’Arche Toronto and Epilepsy Toronto worked together to ensure her success. When TIFS was finally able to conduct sessions in person, Leslie was focused and ready to apply the lessons she learned virtually.
Leslie’s goal of independent living became a reality when she bought a condo -and “TIFS 2.0” was born! Before Leslie could start living on her own, she worked with her TIFS coaches to plan her move and even hired the moving company. In TIFS 2.0, Leslie received 1:1 coaching, set her goals, and applied her experiential learning at TIFS to real life. There was no more “Trying It on For Size” – Leslie was living it. She created meal plans, shopped for groceries, and stuck to her budget. Living on your own can be lonely, but Leslie made friends while in TIFS and learned how to host dinner parties. She hosted her first dinner for Leah and John, her Securing Futures instructors, on her final day of TIFS 2.0. Leslie’s connection to TIFS did not end there. She continues the friendships she made at TIFS even hosting “Friendsgiving” with some of her TIFS friends at her beautiful new home.
I recently met up with Leslie to find out if L’Arche Toronto TIFS made a difference in her life.
How has TIFS made a difference in your life?
It helped me have the confidence to live on my own and figure out what I can/could do on my own.
What skills did you learn?
I learned how to clean and cook. I also had fun trying to host dinner parties.
Did the experience of the overnights prepare you for independent living?
I remember that the overnights made it so that I wasn’t scared to actually sleep on my own in my condo.
How has your life changed because you were a part of TIFS?
I really enjoy living on my own and applying all the life skills I learned to everyday living.
Did you make any friendships at TIFS?
I still keep in touch with the TIFS Ladies and I love that I’ve hosted them for dinner in my condo.
Do you have any advice for someone who is thinking of joining TIFS?
If you’re thinking of joining TIFS, just take the leap and do it, it will change your life, I know it did mine.
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