When we first encountered Jim...

He was living in a shelter he had built out of an old tarp and some sticks. He had been there for eight months, with just the clothes he was wearing, a blanket and a pot.

It took a long time to build a trusting relationship with Jim. One day he would be happy to see us. The next it would be impossible to converse with him. Eventually, he started to open up about his life, including the abuse and neglect he suffered as a foster child. Jim had been living on the streets, using illicit drugs, since the age of 13.

We worked hard with Jim to address his multiple, complex issues. Through medication and counseling, he is managing his mental health. He has gained some casual employment enabling him to pay off his debts; and after completing a housing program he found himself a private rental where he has been living for six months.

The last time we saw Jim, he told us that this is the first time in his life he has ever felt safe.