Inspiring testimonials: the journey to self-sufficiency

Kris has been working with youth at Dans la rue for 20 years. He is known for his patience and kindness. Today, he is with Audrey,* a 31-year-old mother whose journey has been rife with difficulties, but marked by hope. Their conversation shows that the right support can transform lives and restore confidence in the future.

Years of Dedicated Service

After Kris earned his diploma in special care counselling, he worked in a few halfway houses before eventually joining the Dans la rue team. These days, his focus is on helping young tenants in the Dans la rue Housing complex.

“What sets Dans la rue Housing apart is the amount of time that we can actually give our tenants. Five years may sound like a long time, but for people who have never had stability it’s really not a lot to prepare for the real world,” he explains.

Young tenants learn to manage everyday responsibilities while working on their trauma. “This place is much more than a temporary solution. It’s a springboard to self-sufficiency.” Kris doesn’t hide that his work can be challenging, saying, “The pace of progress can sometimes be frustratingly slow. But I’m there to remind them that every step counts.”

Struggles Along the Way, and Resilience

For Audrey, having this kind of support has made a world of difference. She has been using Dans la rue’s services since she was 18. “I had seen a book about Pops at the youth protection offices, but back then I wasn’t ready to ask for help,” she recalls. “A few years later, I walked through the door for the first time.” She has experienced plenty of hardships along her journey: repeatedly relapsing into substance abuse, losing custody of her first son, having her pets taken away from her. More than once, it seemed like everything was falling apart. But Audrey never gave up. “When I moved into this place, I finally felt like I could start to breathe. I was able to stabilize my living situation and get my daughter back after a few months.”

Audrey still remembers the day she walked into her apartment for the first time: “I was nervous. I wasn’t sure I deserved something like this. But when I saw it, I thought, ‘Oh wow, I’ve got my very own condo!’” She laughs softly, thinking back on that moment of pure joy.

Today, she’s ready to move into a subsidized apartment. Although the transition is a little frightening for her, she remains confident that she can make it happen. “I sent in the application myself. And I know I can count on Family Services to support me.”

“And you’ll come back every once in a while for the barbecues!” Kris chimes in with a smile.

Facing the Future

Audrey now dreams of going back to school. “The idea scares me. It’s been 16 years since I set foot in a classroom. But I really want to finish high school and learn to do something with my hands, like screen printing or stained glass. That would be a good fit for me.”

She is taking things one step at a time, aware of the challenges: “I want to build something solid. I don’t want to fall back into my old ways.” Her daughter is her greatest motivation, “She helps me stay structured. She loves people and she can brighten up any room. The counsellors always say that the highlight of their day is when she says hello to them. I love hearing that.”

Audrey is proud of how far she’s come. “Sometimes it’s hard to put into words how I feel, but when I talk about my journey, I can see that I’m getting ahead.” Even though she has doubts from time to time, she’s starting to let herself dream again. “I now know that, besides being able to count on Dans la rue, I can also count on myself.”

Incredible Strength

For Kris, Audrey is a true example of resilience. “She’s made the effort. And we’re there to support her, to bolster her confidence and nudge her in the right direction. The youth we help are incredibly strong.” Kris and Audrey’s conversation sheds light on the lasting benefits of consistent support and unfailing perseverance.

Together, Audrey and Kris show that, with support and courage, it’s possible to turn hardship into a springboard for a brighter future.

*Name changed to protect her privacy.