{"id":2823,"date":"2024-04-25T16:24:13","date_gmt":"2024-04-25T16:24:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/salvationarmy.ca\/ontario\/a-journey-from-living-on-the-streets-to-giving-hope-to-the-most-vulnerable\/"},"modified":"2025-05-30T07:30:06","modified_gmt":"2025-05-30T07:30:06","slug":"a-journey-from-living-on-the-streets-to-giving-hope-to-the-most-vulnerable","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/salvationarmy.ca\/ontario\/2024\/04\/a-journey-from-living-on-the-streets-to-giving-hope-to-the-most-vulnerable\/","title":{"rendered":"A Journey from Living on the Streets to Giving Hope to the Most Vulnerable"},"content":{"rendered":"

Gerald Jorgensen credits divine intervention for his remarkable transformation from years of homelessness, poverty, and substance use to a life filled with confidence, stability, and selfless generosity.<\/p>\n

In January 2023, while living outside in downtown Ottawa, he was a man without a future. Not having eaten or much to drink in a week, and weighing just 145 pounds, Gerald says he had no energy to make it to an emergency shelter for care.<\/p>\n

\u201cI knew I was going to die. During the last week on the streets in Ottawa, I asked God to save me or take me because I just couldn’t exist anymore,\u201d Gerald says. \u201cIf it wasn\u2019t for the support worker who found me, I would not be alive today. The Salvation Army saved me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mikyla Tacilauskas, manager of housing and outreach services at The Salvation Army Ottawa Booth Centre, was the support worker who helped set Gerald on a path to personal redemption.<\/p>\n

\u201cI found him on an extremely cold morning lying in a building hallway with no shoes or socks. He was so cold that I had to put the boots and socks on for him,\u201d Mikyla says. \u201cWe saw him at what he would consider his worst and now we see him at what he would consider to be his best.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Struggling with Trauma <\/strong><\/p>\n

While at rock bottom, Gerald relied heavily on substance use to escape the\u00a0emotional trauma of childhood abuse. There were several years when he stopped using, and at one point, he attended post-secondary schooling and started a home renovation company.<\/p>\n

At the age of 47 and caring for his aging parents, Gerald\u2019s addiction took control of his life again when memories of abuse flooded back into his consciousness. Following the passing of his mother and an accident that destroyed the truck he used for work, he had no income and was soon without a home.<\/p>\n

\u201cAfter the accident I had no way of getting to work, and I still had this addiction. I started couch surfing and it led to me being homeless,\u201d Gerald says.<\/p>\n

Giving Hope to Ottawa\u2019s Homeless <\/strong><\/p>\n

Now free of substance use, having a place to call his own and working in the home renovation industry while embracing faith to keep himself on track, the 54-year-old has altered the course of his life and is helping others who are homeless by handing out drinks, food, and clothing.<\/p>\n

\u201cAddiction takes away every opportunity for success, whether it\u2019s a relationship, work, financial success, or peace of mind \u2013 all the stuff I went through. I refuse to let that happen again,\u201d says Gerald. \u201cI talk to guys out there that know me, and they have said they want what I have. All I can tell them is what I did. You must be willing to go to treatment.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

For Mikyla, who has been there from the beginning, seeing the positive transformation is truly inspiring.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re glad to be part of his heartwarming journey,\u201d Mikyla says.<\/p>\n

Whenever there is hardship, we\u2019ll be there. To support our life-changing programs and services, including The Salvation Army Ottawa Booth Centre outreach and housing teams, please donate at www.salvationarmy.ca<\/a> or call 1-800-SAL-ARMY.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Gerald Jorgensen credits divine intervention for his remarkable transformation from years of homelessness, poverty, and substance use to a life filled with confidence, stability, and selfless generosity. In January 2023, while living outside in downtown Ottawa, he was a man without a future. 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