Salvation Army Helps Father and Son Reconnect

Lucas (right) pictured with The Salvation Army Bedford Macdonald House Residential Manager, Michael Redmond (left).

 

This Father’s Day won’t be a typical one for Lucas. With a new lease on life he has a purpose to fulfill – building a relationship with his son.

At a young age, Lucas and his family moved to PEI where his father secured a job in a Lobster plant. During his teenage years, things changed. Drinking binges were becoming more and more frequent and he became dependent on alcohol. He soon found himself homeless and in and out of treatment programs. 

“I always seemed to fall into the same hole of addiction and despair,” Lucas recalls. “I was burning bridges with those who loved me.” 

“I chose alcohol over my son”

The alcohol addiction took its final blow when it separated him from his son. “I chose alcohol over my son.” Growing weary of the drinking, he knew he had to make a change. 

That’s when he sought help at The Salvation Army Bedford MacDonald House, which provides shelter, support and compassion for men experiencing homelessness in Charlottetown, PEI.

“I was there for nine months and I made progress daily with combating my addiction until I had it conquered,” says Lucas.

“It starts with you”

Once he received the help that he needed, Lucas was ready to begin a new life and rebuild a relationship with his 3-year-old son, Simon. Lucas has the opportunity to see him often and sometimes he will even ask his Mom if he could see Daddy.  “If Simon asks to see me, his Mom will bring him right over,” says Lucas. “Last week when I greeted him at the car, Simon said, ‘I really miss you daddy.’”

Father and son bonding time often takes place at a park to play soccer and other activities. When the two are not together, they will Facetime to stay connected. 

As Lucas relays an encouraging word to those who may be going through a similar struggle, he says, “Don’t give up. Continue to do what is best as a Dad and as a person. It starts with you.”

“I feel like a better person”

Lucas is now employed and has an apartment of his own, but he still visits the Bedford Macdonald House often. “I go there to visit because it’s a great atmosphere; it’s like family. This recovery journey was hard, it feels like you’re not going to get anywhere, but over time good things will happen to those who wait,” Lucas concludes. “I feel like a better person and I wouldn’t change a thing.”

 

 By: Jan Keats