What our Clients Say:
“I thought I would feel stupid here and I don’t” – Brianne*
“The HOPE Program guided me and gave me insight into what I was capable of. Could I do this in spite of the wreckage of my past? YES!” – Don*
“The HOPE Program helped me to overcome my barriers and get a start on three dream careers! This program gave me the hope to follow and achieve my dreams” – Patrick*
Stories of Success
Alan * - Age 36
Old Story:
Alan hated school and stopped attending in Grade 5. He helpd many short-term jobs and watched TV for hours. At 33, he started drinking and smoking marijuana. After his wife left him, he sought Alcohol and Drug Counselling.
Challenges: Left school early, large gaps in socialization, spotty work record, no resume, lacking connections with an A&D Counsllor
New Story :
While attending the HOPE program, Alan was referred for a learning disabilities assessment and had an apparent cognitive delay as a result of early isloation. He began seeing an A&D counsellor regularly and attending AA meetings. He started a new job as a tree packager for a nursery and enrolled for night school courses towards his Building Service Worker certificate. He has reconnected with his wife and they are expecting twins!
Chico *- Age 40
Old Story:
Grew up in Central America and by age 13 was using alcohol, marijuana, couch syrup and tranquilizers. After finished high school he moved to Canada, settling in Winnipeg. He was married at 25 and had 2 children but lost his family due to his regular LSD and mushroom use. At age 38, he recieved a $20,000 insurance claim for a car accident and attended the Meat Cutter course at VCC. He footed the bill for a 1 year party after graduation but his new best friends disappeared when the money was gone. He became suicidal and entered into a Treatment program.
Challenges: 5 months clean, poor time management skills, no work experience, no resume
New Story:
Chico is receiving ongoing A&D Counselling and has developed a resume and interview skills through the HOPE program. He is currently employed at a sausage making plant as a Meat Cutter.
Juanita *- Age 32
Old Story:
Remembers her first drink at age 5 and was seriously abusing pot and alcohol by age 15. Starting prostituting at 18; abused Talwin (an opiate), Ritalin (an amphetamine), alcohol and pot to “blur my reality”. Lived on the streets for 12 years and began using cocaine and heroin. Cleaned up in jail but relapsed upon release. At age 31, began the Methadone program and entered into a recovery house.
Challenges: On Methadone program, HIV+, little legal employment, Grade 9 education, possible learning disability, criminal record
New Story:
Attending the Urban 1st Nations Learning Centre in New Westminster and succeeding in all areas. She is studying Native Studies 12, Communications 12, Math 10, Academic Writing 12 and Computers. Her apparent learning disability was actually a result of high dose of methadone. Her long term goal is to be a Nursing Unit Clerk. She credits the HOPE Program with starting her new life.