“I was on the streets for 15 years.” Sharon and I met at the Friday drop-in for street-involved women at All Saints Church – Community Centre. “I used to come to the church every day to sleep during the daytime. Now I come for church on Sunday and to the drop-in on Fridays. I’m an addict and not the nicest person to be around when I’m on drugs or just coming off being high. But the people here, they understand. Barb (Barbara Todd, the women’s drop-in coordinator) is a very special lady. I came here one time when I was so sick, I almost died. I did die. They got me to the hospital and I was on life support for three weeks. When I woke up I was mad because I figured, I’m an addict, it’s my time to go. But since that time, I’ve stayed clean and I’m pretty sure that I’m done (with drugs) this time. I have four kids and I want to see them but I can’t see them if I’m on crack. I signed up for a treatment program in October and I’m still waiting to hear. It seems like forever.”

I asked Barb what she wished for the New Year and she started to cry. “This is a very hard time for me. All I want is to be with my kids and I can’t. I don’t want to talk about it.” I saw her pain and asked if I could give her a hug. Then I told her that my New Year wish for her is that she will get into the treatment program and be able to stay away from drugs so that she and her family will be reunited. She hugged me again and then she was off.

Valerie volunteers as the food bank receptionist on Thursdays. When she is not busy helping others, she enjoys spending time at Flemingdon Park Ministry. “I make new friends and I like the people here. I get bored at home but here there is always someone to talk to, a free coffee and a friendly face.”

Valerie helps to care for her aging mother and she worries about what will happen when her mother is gone. “Whenever I am worried, I know that I can come here. Helena (The Rev. Helena Houldcroft), Banazir, Kate and even Mac (The Rev. MacIvan Rogers) are great to talk to. They have become my close friends and my second family. They are a great support team.”

Valerie’s wish for the New Year is for a world without violence

Sindy is an Inuit whose deep roots are in Nunavut. She is shy but has a lovely smile. She is a regular member of All Saints Church – Community Centre. She is part of Take This Bread‘s team of bakers and looks forward to getting together with the group. Sindy enjoys learning how to bake, making new friends, and getting to know other people. Sindy said that if she wasn’t here she wouldn’t be doing much of anything.

She hopes one day to return to Nunavut to eat some roasted caribou and would like to learn to make bannock just like her mother did, in a pan on top of the stove. At the memory of those cherished traditions, Sindy’s face brightened. She hopes that she will continue to do well in the programs at All Saints and that one day she will be well enough to get a good paying job and be able to look after herself.