From Homelessness to Healing with The Salvation Army
At 50 years old and after a decade of addiction, Pete has not touched substances for nearly one year, and his path to recovery began through The Salvation Army’s Hope Haven, where he found support and a positive way forward.
Originally from New Liskeard, Ontario, Pete says his early life was filled with a happy childhood, a good family, and loving parents. He graduated from high school and worked various jobs through his 20s and 30s, including warehousing, construction, and lumber delivery.
Starting in his late 30s, a slow and worsening addiction to drugs and alcohol caused his life to unravel, leading to job losses and legal troubles into his 40s.
“That’s when I started to have a lot of dysfunctions with my addiction and alcoholism,” Pete says. “Holding jobs became really difficult. I started to go through jobs like candy. I was constantly sick from addictions.”
Pete hit rock bottom after serving a jail sentence for assault, and following his release, he endured two years of homelessness during the COVID-19 pandemic while battling serious health issues and mental health challenges tied to his addiction.
Determined to change, Pete joined a detox program where he learned about Hope Haven from Salvation Army Lieutenant Robbie Donaldson, who encouraged him to keep pushing forward.
Hope Haven offers men experiencing homelessness a safe place to live while receiving support in personalized case management, life-skills training, mental health support, and assistance with job searches to transition into stable, independent, permanent housing.
Pete says turning 50, coupled with his physical and mental health concerns, all contributed to his committed desire for improvement. Though he stayed at Hope Haven for just three months, it was a changing point in his life.
“Things have turned completely 180. I don’t know that it would have happened without the help I received. I’m not completely enslaved by addictions, and my outlook on life is positive. I’m genuinely happy and content,” Pete says.
He shares that The Salvation Army staff provided personal understanding, making him feel cared for.
Today, Pete lives in a one-bedroom apartment, which he calls “the nicest I’ve had in years.” He regularly attends AA meetings to keep his addiction in check, enjoys reading, and stays active outdoors. He is also making amends to loved ones.
“A goal of mine is to try and get myself in a bit better shape and maintain good relationships with people, my family especially,” Pete says.
“You have to care about yourself. Hope Haven is a good program, and if it’s what you want to do for yourself, then they can help you really accomplish that.”
Hope Haven housing case worker Anthony Gilpin says that with encouragement, Pete achieved significant progress in a short time.
“He had committed himself to changing everything around, and we were part of that process. We gave him a room, and we supported his recovery decisions,” Anthony says. “I believe Pete would have been successful on his own, but we were lucky enough to journey with him to success.”
Your donations to The Salvation Army bring care and compassion to people living with addiction, mental health issues, food insecurity, struggling with homelessness, and finding permanent housing. Make a difference today at www.SalvationArmy.ca or call 1-800-SAL-ARMY.
