Guiding Success with The Salvation Army
The confidence that Seth enjoys today is a far cry from the anxious young man he once was.
Growing up in a sheltered home, Seth says he was often a “nervous wreck”, hiding under a table whenever someone knocked on the door or called on the phone. His anxiety was so debilitating that he would pay others to make purchases for him to avoid talking to cashiers. In an attempt to cope and relax, he began experimenting with drugs at 13 years old with the hopes of masking the anxiety, but those emotions were only getting worse, Seth recalls.
After dropping out of school in Grade 9, he discovered an early aptitude for car repair and construction, skills he picked up from his father. His talents as a mechanic allowed him to get three of his four cars back on the road.
These talents made 31-year-old Seth a perfect candidate for Trades Start and Guide By Your Side, two innovative Salvation Army programs in Wiarton that have transformed his life. Trades Start assists individuals seeking training in cooking, construction, horticulture, and welding to develop skills for a stable career. Guide by Your Side is a mentorship program where participants set specific and achievable goals for the future.
He is also part of the Odd Job Squad in Wiarton, a Salvation Army program where participants complete small building and repair projects in the community. He dreams of working with animals and possibly owning a farm, where he can continue to pursue his skills and passions. He appreciates The Salvation Army’s supportive, non-judgmental environment, which he finds incredibly positive.
“The Salvation Army provided me with the focus, confidence, and encouragement to put my skills to use and create opportunities for a stable future,” Seth says. “It is a loving environment that just wants the best for you.”
Seth meets regularly with his Guide By Your Side mentor to ensure he stays on track to reach his goals, which include moving out of his parent’s home and pursuing business ideas that include making dog treats, dog walking, construction, and car repair.
Guide By Your Side program coordinator Ingrid Reichard has noticed remarkable changes in Seth since he embraced the Salvation Army programs in Wiarton.
“He is so pleasant and outgoing that you would never think he’d be afraid of people or going to a grocery store,” Ingrid says. “That he has come out of his shell is such an understatement. He has transformed himself to be more confident and self-assured.”
Your donor support of The Salvation Army ensures more people like Seth have access to life-changing programs and services across Ontario. Donate today at www.salvationarmy.ca or call 1-800-SAL-ARMY.