Former Panhandler Uses His Experiences to Help Camp Kids
At age four Conrad Wilson’s mom, an alcoholic and drug addict, gave him to his aunt in exchange for some new furniture. Two years later he returned to live with his mom. Soon after, on a weekend camping trip with her, park rangers found the six-year-old abandoned in the woods. Deep, psychological wounds followed Conrad into adulthood. Eventually, through help from The Salvation Army and an NHL hockey player, Conrad’s life changed dramatically. He now uses his experiences to help others.
“I never knew my dad and my mom suffered from many issues in her life, including alcoholism and drug addiction,” says Conrad, now age 44. “I was desperate for her presence and attention, but her problems made that impossible.”
Shortly after birth, Conrad was placed in foster care. When he returned to his mother at age four, it wasn’t long before she proved she was still unfit to care for him.
When Conrad went to the washroom on a camping trip he never expected his mother wouldn’t be at the campsite when he returned. As the hours passed his deepest fears of abandonment became reality. At age six, he was now a Crown Ward, a foster child made the legal responsibility of the government.
Conrad spent the next several years in the foster care system. Learning disabilities added to Conrad’s feelings of worthlessness and failure. This lead to severe depression, lengthy stays in mental-health centres, and several suicide attempts. At age 17 Conrad was living on the streets of Toronto.
“I slept in alleyways, under boxes, on subways and streetcars,” says Conrad. He eventually sought out shelter at The Salvation Army. “The Army treated me like a human being. They showed me respect,” he continues. “The shelter was clean and safe. The care I got gave me the will to get off the streets.”
Being broke was an every day state of affair and Conrad panhandled as a means of getting money. “Begging was difficult for me,” says Conrad. “I wasn’t proud of shaking a cup, asking complete strangers for spare change. I took in enough money to stay in run-down hotels.”
Conrad secured a part-time job at the then Maple Leaf Gardens selling snacks in the stands. Before long he struck up conversation with Madolyn Osborne, wife of Mark Osborne who was a left-winger for the Toronto Maple Leafs at the time. “I told her I panhandled and worked here to get enough money to find a place of my own,” says Conrad. From that discussion Conrad’s life turned around.
“Mark and Madolyn helped me find stable shelter in a rooming house,” says Conrad. “They introduced me to God and to Hockey Ministries International Christian Hockey Camp. I have helped at the camp ever since.”
After he retired Ozzie (Mark Osborne’s nickname) became active in Hockey Ministries International, where, at hockey camps, pros challenge body, mind and spirit with a solid Christian message. When possible Conrad shares his experiences at these camps. “I want kids to know that it’s possible to get through tough situations,” says Conrad.
One camp that Conrad frequents is The Salvation Army’s Lake Simcoe hockey camp, a summer hockey camp at Jacksons Point Ontario. Although hockey programs have run at this location for the past 11 years, it was only three years ago The Salvation Army established a new partnership with Hockey Ministries International. Youth ages nine to 17 receive world-class on-ice instruction, are inspired by the spiritual journeys of active and retire NHL players, and enjoy great food and great fun in a high energy atmosphere.
Says Conrad: “I like talking to kids at Salvation Army camps because the Army really cares about people. When I arrived on their doorstep I was dirty, hopeless and helpless. They send a clear message that everyone in their midst is equal.”
