Our Residents and the Value of Social Responsibility

Hello, my name is Ryan, and I’ve been given the opportunity to share with you a little about myself and my experience here at Place Of Refuge. I was born and raised in Vancouver and I know and love the city. I couldn’t imagine living anywhere else. Growing into my teenage years and as a young man I struggled with drugs and alcohol and eventually I lost my job, and my place to live. This cycle repeated itself for many years. I went to many different facilities and seen many people from Vancouver to Victoria and back again.

I was welcomed to an environment of care, not discipline or discrimination, but motivation for your interests as an adult whose life had merely been led astray, I had always been a hard worker in the past and work was paramount to my recovery. At place of Refuge whether it was school or work it was promoted that I would be attending either. I love to cook and I was shown a full pantry and fridge.( it was a miracle )  The love and support that both Jeff and Reive as well as the other support staff have is above bar. I couldn’t have asked for, I honestly am so fortunate that I am to have been a resident of place of refuge and wherever you are whoever you are if your reading this I hope you find your own place of refuge too.

I’m eternally grateful to Place of Refuge for allowing me the time and space to grow into the man I knew I could be. It allowed me to build a solid foundation that I could stand on. It was a safe place to get my bearings and to dream of the life I always envisioned for myself. More than that it felt like home. It’s a key component in my sobriety journey. With the support of the staff and other men I thrived in that environment. The momentum I gained there has continued and as a result I’ve had tremendous opportunities and success. It was truly a pleasure and an honor to have had my time there. Thank you, Place of Refuge. The fact you exist is inspiring and provides a beacon of hope for those that might feel hopeless. 

In late May of 2016, I turned 50, a milestone year for most; many celebrate with friends and family for me. It was the worst birthday of my life. I had been dealing with addiction and mental health for more than half my life, but this year, I had finally ended up living in shelters where I didn’t miss curfew and eating at The Salvation Army or UGM.

My primary addiction was alcohol, and I knew it was ruining my life; I had known this for years, and still, I could not seem to find the strength to even stay sober for a day. I was losing my humanity, my empathy and any dignity I ever had. I had attempted recovery many times previously, for various reasons, with minor success but never achieving any long-term sobriety.

Currently, my life is better than I ever could have imagined. I have the life I used to envy, just everyday life to most, but to an alcoholic, these things seem so out of reach: love, peace of mind, prosperity and dignity.

Place of Refuge makes miracles happen.

Thank you,

Place of Refuge has been a really supportive environment for me in my recovery journey. I really appreciate how little stress or drama there’s been since coming here. The house is clean, the residents get along, and the location is great for transit and lifestyle. Early recovery is an uncertain time for many reasons. It’s been a big transition for me, and I am really grateful for the staff at Place of Refuge running such a smooth operation. Here, I’ve found a sense of stability and peace that was missing during previous stints of recovery, and that has made all the difference.

I’ve been in Place of Refuge for only three weeks at the time of this writing. This house has turned out to be just what I need. They quickly offer support when I need to locate resources and are sensitive to the times that I need space for myself. I finished my stabilization at a first-stage housing facility and came here less than a week after my interview with Jeff and Reive. I knew this was the right place for me. Place of Refuge offers enough structure while providing the freedom one needs to rebuild a life. The men in the house have all been warm and welcoming. I know that with the help of Jeff and Reive, I’m finally going to get my life back on track.

When I came to Place of Refuge, I was thousands of dollars in debt. I had no vehicle, fines on my driver’s licence, and a credit score of around 500. I had worked as an electrician for many years, but my addiction always held me back from finishing school and moving forward. My biggest goal was to get back to work and finish my schooling. What I got here was far more than I could have ever imagined.

As I write this, I have just obtained my Red Seal certificate as an electrician. I completed three terms of schooling at BCIT, I am debt-free, I am driving a brand-new vehicle, and my credit score is now in the 700s. I accomplished all of this in under three years, and I don’t believe it would have been possible anywhere else.

If I could only say one thing about Place of Refuge, it would be that it is aptly named. It truly is a refuge from the chaos and uncertainty most of us face in early recovery. The house provided me with more than just a safe place to live; I found community there, other men to lean on and to lend a hand to and share with.
There was calm energy about the house that seemed, for me at least, to wash away the noise and confusion and let me focus on the things that were truly important in my life. I’m eternally grateful for the time I spent living there and the friends I’ve made.