Stories

Transforming lives begins with something as simple as a friendly smile and a non-judgmental ear.

That’s why Our Place believes in offering a hand up rather than a hand out. The lives that have been transformed because of the love, support and friendship that radiates within our building is incredible. See a few of our stories below, plus more stories can be found on our Donor Impact and Gratitude pages.

January 9, 2020

Stingrays Story

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At 63, Stingray is finally finding a measure of peace in his life. A violent childhood led to a violent adulthood, but he has discovered…
January 2, 2020

Scooter Repair

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Art is someone who feels deeply for others, and when he heard the stories of people struggling with basic mobility, he knew he needed…
September 16, 2019

Robert’s Story

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Robert is no stranger to diversity. Life has placed many obstacles in his path, and yet he battles them all with a joke on his lips,…
September 16, 2019

The Diverters

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In Victoria, the sight of a returnable bottle or a discarded paper cup being placed in the trash can ruin someone’s perfectly nice…
May 15, 2019

Blanche’s Story

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Special moments never used to mean anything to Blanche. Memorable days just didn’t exist for a woman whose daily drive was focused…
May 15, 2019

Alex’s Journey

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Alex was at a loss. Another job had fallen by the wayside and he was unemployed once again. With the high cost of rent taking…
January 7, 2019

Marlon’s Story

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For most of his 57 years, Marlon Bowe’s life was defined by a cycle of addiction, poverty, violence and prison sentences. He’s…
January 7, 2019

outREACH Choir

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As a lifelong voice coach, choir director and mother of a special needs child, Anne-Marie Brimacombe learned all about the therapeutic…
September 17, 2018

Carlos’s Story

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As a young boy in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Carlos’s first job was to wrap chicken eggs in newspaper for his mother. “I would…
September 17, 2018

Greg’s Story

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At 70 years old, Greg is a golden ray of sunshine every time he sits down at Our Place to begin his volunteer shift. Compassionate,…
May 22, 2018

Robert’s Story

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“I’ve got a giant hole in my heart — not being in contact with my kids, not being in touch with my family, my sister. . . .”…
May 22, 2018

Next Steps to Employment

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Joining the workforce after a long absence can be a struggle at best, but when you also suffer from multiple barriers such as homelessness,…