Paul Has the Gift of Hope this Christmas

Paul is a man who wears his heart on his sleeve. And, thanks to you, it’s a heart filled with hope as Christmas approaches.

Paul is from Carleton Place where he spent his childhood with seven siblings. His father passed away when he was just 6, and Paul’s sense of loss was intense. He began working as a farmhand for a neighbour when he was only 12, and that’s about the time that his addiction to alcohol began.

Paul fought his addiction for many years, but he always worked – as a specialist Glazier Mechanic in the construction industry, and also as a musician. As time went by, he found himself struggling harder to overcome his addiction. Finally, in his late 50’s Paul summoned the strength to change his life for the better.

When he came to The Ottawa Mission in 2018, Paul embraced all of the help that was available to him. He entered our Stabilization program to get ready for long term treatment. Then it was on to LifeHouse, our residential trauma and addiction program. At LifeHouse, Paul experienced what he calls “the warmth, compassion and safety that helped me break down the walls of my addiction.” From there, he went on to live in one of The Mission’s Second Stage homes in the community, where LifeHouse graduates live together and re-connect with the basics of cooking and cleaning for themselves and others, and prepare to move towards a healthy and productive life.

Paul has since moved into his own apartment with the help of our housing staff, and he remains close to his friends from Second Stage, and to his extended family at The Mission. While he continues his recovery, his gratitude for his second chance at life is huge, and he knows he owes it all to you, because you gave him the support he needed that has changed his life.