Meet Ed
Looking back, Ed remembers one night of homelessness in his mid-twenties.
“It was scary and so cold”, he remembers. “I didn’t know what to do.”
Thankfully, that was Ed’s only brush with homelessness.
25-years ago, Ed walked into The Kettle Drop-In Centre looking for something to eat.
Ed was hungry and he heard you could always find a hot meal there.
He ate his fill and left, but the glow of the warm welcome and friendly staff he met there stayed with him.
Years later, Ed was exhausted from trying to self-medicate with substances. And he knew he needed to stop before he ended up on the streets again. He knew where he could go for non-judgemental support: The Kettle.
He arrived at The Kettle’s Mental Health Drop-In hopeful that the team could help him. He was ready to walk the long journey to recovery.
In the end, he found more than he bargained for.
Kettle staff connected Ed with Mental Health support and eventually with housing. He was able to move out of the Downtown Eastside SRO he had been living in, and into long-term stable housing with The Kettle.
On the foundation of a safe and stable home, Ed stopped using drugs — something he believes changed the course of his life.
“I probably would be back down on skid [row] or dead...most likely because I would have gone back to drugs, because I wouldn't have had the help.”
Ed also joined a gardening group, did art therapy and went camping with his friends from The Kettle. He attended Christmas parties and met new friends.
Then, on one fateful camping trip, he was introduced to Kim – the woman who would become his wife. Now, ten years into their relationship, Ed and Kim are thriving. They enjoy cooking, taking walks together and keeping in touch with friends.
They look forward to returning to The Kettle for Christmas parties where they can stay connected with the members, staff and the community that have given them so much.
When asked what he would want to say to a donor like you, Ed reflected on the quiet, steadfast support that the Kettle has provided him with over the decades:
“I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for the Kettle supporting me.”
It takes a community of dedicated volunteers, staff and donors to keep The Kettle’s Mental Health Drop-In Centre open 365 days a year for the moment folks like Ed reach out for help.
Because he knew he could count on The Kettle, Ed was able to find his footing, overcome challenges and build a thriving and stable life.
This holiday season, you can give meals, showers and more with The Kettle.