During National Volunteer Week (April 19–25), we will be shining the spotlight on a few of Dans la rue’s 129 dedicated, hard-working volunteers. Join us throughout the week as we take a closer look at the invaluable role these individuals play.
An avid music lover, Patrick first got involved with Dans la rue when a punk rock show was put on to raise funds for the organization. He was at a point in his life where he was looking for a cause to support. The benefit concert fit the bill perfectly. Two weeks later, he was doing his first shift on the Van.
Who is Patrick?
Patrick comes from a humble upbringing, the eldest son of young parents who parted ways early in his life. At that time, children of divorce were stigmatized at school. He also had dyslexia, which was still largely misunderstood. It meant that he had to work harder than his fellow classmates and endure the slights — and occasional sneers — of his teachers.
Amid these struggles, Patrick was fortunate to have a stepfather who instilled in him strong core values. He channeled his energy and determination to land his first job when he was only 14 years old.
“My mother didn’t give me any money, so I decided to earn it on my own. It seemed like the logical thing to do.”
These days, with three vocational diplomas under his belt, Patrick works as a healthcare coordinator for a seniors’ residence (RPA).
Daunting challenges
Throughout his life, Patrick has been drawn to helping others, but he has been less than compassionate toward himself. For many years, he lived with a condition that took him a long time to come to terms with: an eating disorder. Food played an overwhelmingly central role in his daily life as a source of safety and comfort, and a way of coping with his emotions.
The situation became critical in his late thirties. Patrick was confronted with a pivotal choice about his health — and his survival. It was the start of a long journey that would put him on the difficult yet ultimately fulfilling path of changing his lifestyle, facing his inner demons and learning to be as kind to himself as he was to others.
“You have to be ready if you really want to change. You have to make the decision for yourself, not anyone else.”
Patrick lived with the reality of addiction and fought it for seven years before his wake-up call. The experience has given him unique insight into the challenges faced by many of the young people at Dans la rue — and he doesn’t hold back when it comes to sharing his story.
“Some people are less fortunate than others. I want to help them. As they get to know me, they learn about what I’ve been through too.”
From Volunteer to Team Leader
Even before the band Bérurier Noir put on their benefit concert at Foufounes Électriques, Patrick was familiar with Dans la rue. But it was that night he decided to step up.
“I’d always wanted to volunteer somewhere, but my physical limitations kept me from doing anything about it.”
Patrick had reached a turning point: volunteering was finally within his reach. He wanted to help young people who hadn’t had the same family support he’d had growing up. He admits that he was nervous the first night he volunteered on the Van. He thought he might not have what it took. But by his second week, it had become clear to him and everyone else that he was exactly where he should be.
As he interacted with youth and other volunteers, Patrick realized he had found a second family.
“We’re a team. We’re all different, but we all get to know one another, and we’re all here for the same cause.”
Three years after he first set foot on the Van, Patrick is as proud as ever to be helping the youth served by Dans la rue. He may say he’s only doing it for them, but it’s obvious how meaningful his involvement is to him.
These days, he drives the Van, is one of the team leaders and believes wholeheartedly in the power of building relationships with youth.
As doubtful as he once was of his academic abilities, he is now working toward a university degree so he can work as a counsellor. He is pleasantly surprised by the good grades he is getting.
“It’s opened up a whole other perspective for me. I want to become a youth outreach worker so I can work even more closely with them.”
A presence that makes all the difference
The longer you talk to Patrick, the more you realize what an endearing, resilient and grounded person he is — and the more you appreciate his remarkable inner strength. He is the type of person who refuses a free Dans la rue T-shirt and insists on paying for it so the money will go back to helping youth. The type who makes sure that a breakdown doesn’t stand in the way of maintaining the Van’s scheduled rounds. And the type who brings in his mother’s homemade cupcakes and hats hand-knit by the residents of the RPA where he works.
He is a quiet, caring force who changes lives for the better — unwavering, unassuming and compassionate through and through.
Thank you, Patrick.
