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.

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,…
January 12, 2018

Dan and Brandy

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Can love change a person? Can it make you look in the mirror and instead of seeing your own troubled past reflected back, see the person…
September 18, 2017

Meet Craig

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It was only after his own personal experience with therapy that Craig Extine realized he wanted something different for his life. He…
September 18, 2017

Greg & Tracy’s Story

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"After 30 years together, we were living apart, and not by choice." When you’ve been married for 32 years, the idea of living…
August 1, 2017

Why I’m Proud of Pride

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One of my proudest moments of participating in the Victoria Pride Parade was when a young, pre-op transgender woman said that she never…