Darren R Charuk

Hello, my name is Darren and I´m a recovering addict. I was born on November 22nd 1960 and that makes me 46 years old for a few more months. Currently, it´s May 24, 2007. For the first four years of my life I resided in Edmonton, Alta { not that remember much of it } until my parents split and my mom, sister and I came out West. I did not have an easy childhood, in fact as I reflect back on it now I´m amazed I got through it in one piece.

Back then the bad things were kept behind closed doors. I have no memories of grades 1 thru 7 and only bits and pieces of 8 thru 12. I graduated in 1980 from Frank Hurt Sec. in Surrey; B.C. took a couple of courses at B.C.I.T and got married in 1983 to an amazing woman. Unfortunately, my drinking continued to progress and we were divorced in 1990. For the next fifteen years I had all but given up on life and even attempted suicide on a number of occasions. Drinking and drugging became my life until finally after getting out of jail I surrendered to the fact that I needed help. I contacted "Hope for Freedom Society&quot and they took me in. I struggled at first as I was leery of the Christian based program. Then again what did I have to lose? So, I listened and things got better and better and better. Well, today Iám a proud Christian with 19+ months clean and sober with an awesome job. That Job... Is helping others.

Kathleen

I was born and raised in Ontario and moved to B.C. when I was 16 with my family. We moved around a lot when I was young. I excelled in school and was on the track team, soccer team, as well as the honour roll. I come from a family of addicts and I am an addict myself. During my teen's and 20's my life revolved around alcohol and drugs, in those times I lived a dark, lonely and fearful life. At age 29, I entered Hope For Freedom Society's Glory House, wanting to change desperately. I moved on to an after care facility where I furthered my recovery there for a year. I was recruited for a position as an Outreach Worker for Hope For Freedom Society. What an honour and gift! I'm able to give back daily what was given to me; hope and encouragement. Today, I enjoy spending time with friends and family, outdoor activities, writing and animals.

Shain Carruthers

I am a 36 year old grateful recovering addict.My journey in this world has taken me to some very dark and lonely places. My spiral downward began at the age of 7 with alcohol. I chased this feeling all through life, always thinking there was an answer there. My life had me on many journeys, always with drugs and alcohol. I tried my hand at recovery many times only to return to my twisted comfort zone. Then on December 19th, 2006 the Lord directed me to the front door of Hope For Freedom where at first I really didn't want to be. But as I kept an open mind(as my mother told me to do...) the Lord began to change my heart. One month into my stay I had a profound spiritual awakening that changed me from a victim into a victor. I worked hard and completed all the courses they offered and took direction(for the first time...) and today I now work for the society that showed me how to get a life. By the grace of my Lord Jesus Christ and the program of Narcotics Anonymous I am 20 months clean and sober and I am a front line Outreach Worker bringing homeless in off of the streets, helping them to find a new way of life.

Lisa Batista

I worked at Glory House for 3 years with women in recovery, and moved on to supervising the Cold Wet Weather Matt Program for the last 2 winters. Now I have been blessed with working with the Outreach team. I am the Outreach Co-ordinator, and have been since April 1^st, 2009.

Michelle

I cherish working with the homeless. I am honoured and grateful when one of these amazingly resilient people chooses to share their life with me. I come away in awe. Hearing about the upbringing they've had, the hardships they've been through, how they've managed, their often wacky sense of humour and quick laughter, and beneath all that... amazing inner strength, I am constantly left amazed, touched, inspired and humbled. I love the position life has given me! This all became possible because of my dear dog Shaggy. I was walking him down an alley, said hello to two people at the back of a house and had almost reached the end of the alley before I had to turn back. There was this persistent little voice in me that said “go back, just go ask them”. I happen to value the wisdom of that little voice and did just that! I learned the house is part of a recovery program run by Hope for Freedom. I also learned they have been looking for a nurse to work with the homeless, which was something I’d wanted to do! I had been praying I would find a job like the one I have and the beautiful thing is my employer had also said a prayer a nurse would come their way! I am exactly where I am meant to be and love what I do ;).

Stan Carter

I was born in New Westminster and lived in the lower mainland all my life. I had graduated high school in ’94, and shortly after that I was introduced to drugs. My life took a turn for the worse. At the age of 31 I had finally had enough. By this time I had become homeless and desperate for a new way of life. I managed to get to a Recovery Facility and started working on myself. I am now 21 months clean and sober, and taking one day at a time. Today I’ve been given the opportunity to work with the less fortunate; it has been a blessing in itself.