When people think of homeless shelters, they often picture addicts at rock bottom with burnt bridges and nowhere left to go. It’s hard for most of us to imagine having a full-time job one day and asking to stay at an emergency shelter the next.
But in November of 2019, that was Scott’s reality.
Scott grew up in a small town in BC near Rock Creek. At age 14, he ventured out on his own, but he was young, without support, and eventually, he ended up on the street.
When he got older, Scott moved to Vancouver, hoping to find more resources. But when he got there, he found something else: drugs. “All my friends were doing it, and it was something to do,” Scott said.
After falling in with the wrong crowd, Scott had to work hard to get his life on track. And not only did he succeed in leaving drugs behind, but he was also happy to have his own place.
For 20 years, he worked as a general labourer in Vancouver. But after a potential apprenticeship fell through and his career stalled, he moved to Kelowna to find work as a roofer.
That’s when life took an unpredictable turn.
The friend he had been living with decided to move to Prince George at the same time his roofing job ended. Scott couldn’t afford rent on his own.
It was then that he turned to Kelowna’s Gospel Mission.
“The only thing I was able to do in a kitchen was install the plumbing. But thanks to the staff, I now have a new skill set and another reference on my resume.”—Scott
When Scott arrived at the shelter, his biggest fear as a recovered addict was falling back into bad habits. But the programs at Kelowna’s Gospel Mission kept him busy and gave him the chance to learn new skills.
Tamara, the cooking coordinator, invited him into the kitchen to show him the ropes — and he loved it.
“I enjoy it, and I now have another skill set,” Scott said. “Working in the kitchen keeps me busy and keeps my mind off the drugs.”
With the help of his caseworker, Scott has moved to Penticton and is now working full time. He wrote to tell us that he could not be more grateful to donors like you and to Kelowna’s Gospel Mission.
At the lowest point of his life, you gave him an incredible gift: a place to live, food to eat, and a lifelong skill that brings him joy every day.
You can help others like Scott reclaim their lives by donating today!
