Le has worked as a child care provider, a cook, a house sitter, gardener and caregiver. At one time in her life, she helped teach new immigrants English while introducing them to Canadian culture. Living in a shelter has been so difficult, but it has made her more aware of what it might have been like to "find no room at the Inn". Le is suffering from a toothache and other serious dental issues and is desperately hoping for some dental work. She is appreciative of the many kindnesses shown to her in her hardship.

Scott is from Alliston, ON and is 49 years old. He has lived in the Vancouver area most of his life. He has worked in tourism, as well as a computer operator. His biggest challenges include finances, security, and recently found out he has a serious illness. What encourages Scott most is when he's around happy, positive people.

Brad was born in Surrey but lived some of his life in Eastern Canada. He came here about 20 years ago. He has worked in construction and enjoys the industry of building. His biggest challenge include security and having enough food. What encourages Brad are support, friendship, having goals and rewards for personal achievements.

Gene is 67 years old and was born and raised in Surrey, BC. He has worked as a laborer in the past but feels that he is too old to be able to work now. His biggest challenge is his health. Gene feels most encouraged by his friends.

Andrew was born in a small village in northern BC, and moved to Vancouver in 1999. He has worked for the Dept of Fisheries and the BC museum until a fall off a roof prevented him from working. Andrew's biggest challenge is surviving with a Grade 3 education because of spending years in the hospital when he was young. He has a goal of learning how to read and write well. Andrew says that he has overcome many obstacles in his life, with the help of a few good friends, a sense of humor and a whole lot of luck.

TJay is originally from Edmonton and has been in the Vancouver area for 2 months.

Paulina is originally from Chile, South America and arrived in Canada in 1982. She is now 71 years old. She lived in Edmonton for many years as well. She loves all kinds of music and enjoys the weather of the West Coast.

Terry is originally from Saskatoon, SK but has lived in the Vancouver area since 1967. She is 58 years old. She worked as a nurse's aide for 30 years in West Vancouver. She is a widow with 2 grown children. Her biggest challenge in to find a place to live. What helps Terry feel most encouraged is going looking at possible places to rent that she can afford.

Tina was born and raised in Surrey, BC and is 45 years old. She has worked in the restaurant business as a cook, waitress, manager, as well as a care aide with special needs individuals in a group home. Her greatest challenges include staying safe, dealing with mental illness and depression, and fears leaving home at times. What encourages her most are her son, her Dad, along with her friends Jimmy, Kim, Larry and Sue.

Dan is from the Vancouver area and is 59 years old. He used to work in the truck rental business and storage rentals. His biggest challenge is security. What helps Dan feel most encouraged is the thought of to getting well, to get back to work and consider all the people he has met at the shelters.

Anthony is 43 years old and is from Vancouver. Presently, he is on disability assistance and is trying to get his health to a place where he can work again. He used to be a welder and glazer.

Chris is from the Vancouver area and is 61 years old. He has worked as a paramedic in New Brunswick, went on to Edmonton to work for STARS. He could no longer work after a terrible car accident and is presently on disability assistance. His biggest challenges include security and support. What encourages him most is the thought that tomorrow will be better than today.

Rina is from Prince Albert, BC and is 35 years old. She wanted a new start in life and came to the Vancouver area about 10 years ago. She has worked in public service. Rina's biggest challenge is keeping warm and dry as she has to mostly walk to get anywhere.

Mandeep is originally from Richmond, BC and is 41 years old. He has worked in a fish plant and has done security work in the past. His biggest challenge is finding food and clothing. What helps and encourages him is exercise, having a healthy diet, and sobriety.

Dave has lived in the Vancouver area all his life, he's 58 years old. He has worked in construction, and would have loved to be a fire fighter.

William is originally from Winnipeg, MB and has been in the Vancouver area since 1978. He has worked in internet and network security. He'd like to return to school to upgrade his certification, and then return to the same career. His biggest challenge is mobility due to several major surgeries. William is encouraged by his faith in knowing he can regain his life after his next surgery.

Cheryl was born in Surrey, BC but lived in Windsor, ON. She has worked in a variety of jobs while living here in BC and loved them all. Presently, she is suffering from several health challenges including scoliosis and rheumatoid arthritis as well as osteoarthritis. Cheryl hopes to someday volunteer at a food bank or library and help others out. She is encouraged by her mother and 3 girls, as well as positive energy from others.

Frank is from Trinidad and is 58 years old. He's been on the west coast for 18 years. He has worked as a trucker. His biggest challenge is security. Frank is encouraged mostly by friends.

Ricky was born and raised in Surrey, BC. He drove truck, owned a tow truck, worked on cars and motorcycles. Ricky's challenges include food, keeping warm and dry, and security. What would encourage him the most is to be working.

Ian is 52 years old and has lived in the Vancouver area all of his life. He has worked as an iron worker, in plastic injection, concrete work, shipping/receiving and would love to be a bus driver. His biggest challenge is security. He is encouraged by family.

Robert is from Trois Rivieres and is 60 years old. He has worked in many jobs but would like to teach. His biggest challenges now are his health and finances.

Patty is originally from Fort William, ON and is 64 years old. She's been in the Vancouver area for over 45 years because she loved the mountains and ocean, as well, she made wonderful friends here. He has worked as a freelance writer, an ESL and literacy teacher, she's edited a literacy magazine for adults, and would like to be an English tutor. Her biggest challenge is her health as well as injuries from a car accident in 1992. She is most encouraged by friends.

Shelley was born in Surrey, BC and has lived in various places in BC. Recently, Shelley left a challenging relationship and fled her home in northern BC. She is very grateful for the opportunity that the Christmas Wish List provides to people in a similar life circumstance as she is experiencing.

Chuck is originally from Nova Scotia and has lived in Vancouver area for over 50 years. He has worked in an advisory position for the government in the area of policy and planning, focused on aboriginal economic development. His biggest challenges now are transportation and security. Chuck feels most encouraged by success.

Denny is 55 years old and is from White Rock, BC. He has worked in the past as a realtor, a business consultant, a small business operator, and computer programmer. His biggest challenge is finding permanent home in White Rock or South Surrey. What encourages Denny most is knowing he has a place to go.

Christine is originally from Peterborough, ON and is 49 years old. She is happy to share that she has been clean and sober for 3 years now. (way to go, Christine!) She has worked as a nanny, cleaner, a volunteer working with people. Her biggest challenge is having enough food and clothes. What helps to encourage Christine is helping others.

Bradley is 29 years old and grew up in the Whalley area of Surrey. He has a son in the area and choses to be close to him. He is a chef by trade, but would love to get into woodworking. His biggest challenge is security...never knowing what lies ahead. What helps to encourage Bradley is helping others. He knows what it's like to be down on his luck, so he likes to help when he can.

Doug is 61 years old and is originally from Edmonton, AB. He's been in the Vancouver area for the past 6 years. He's worked in the construction industry in the past. His biggest challenge is his health. What helps to encourage Doug most is living.

Jeff is originally from the Vancouver area, but has lived in Florida for many years. He's been home here for a little over a month to help his mom. He is 29 years old and enjoys doing any kind of construction, demo work, and production work. His biggest challenges include food, bus fare, and keeping warm, especially in the Vancouver damp winter. What encourages Jeff most is being able to work again in his home country of Canada.

Vern is 63 years old and has lived in the Vancouver area all his life. He has worked as a laborer before. What encourages Vern most is just being happy.

Ken has lived in the Lower Mainland his whole life. He is 61 years old. He used to drive trucks for Coca-Cola for 30 years. It's difficult for Ken to get around so his biggest challenge is going out to shop. What encourages Ken is talking with his sister...it's a huge boost.

Carey was born in Vancouver and grew up in Surrey, BC. He is 58 years old. He used to be a chef and worked in the Arctic in sports fishing lodges. Presently, he's on disability assistance but wants to work with the elderly. He enjoys watching movies such as scary movies or documentaries on WWII.

Tom is originally from Edmonton and is 43 years old. He's been in the Vancouver area for the past 7 years. He used to work as a dishwasher and cook. His biggest challenge is being able to read. Tom says that the thing that encourages him most is when people say nice things to him.

Christine is originally from Halifax, NS and is 66 years old. She came to the West Coast many years ago to go to university at SFU, then UBC. She has worked as a teacher, and nursing in Florida. Her biggest challenge is finding shelter. She is encouraged by the help of others.

Rob is originally from North Burnaby, BC. He has worked in the past as a mechanic, as well as in a warehouse on a forklift. His biggest challenges include a roof over his head, food, and trying to find work. What helps him feel most encouraged are resources to help people find housing and work.

Betty is originally from Edmonton, AB and is 65 years old. She came to the West Coast 47 years ago because she always knew she was going to make her home here. She has worked as a cashier in the supermarket business. Her biggest challenge is paying for food and her prescriptions. What encourages Betty most is her faith, the support and friendship of the people around her.

Nicole was born in Germany and has lived in the Vancouver area since she was 5 years old. He has worked as a building service worker. Her biggest challenge is living on a tight budget. Nicole is encouraged by the support of friends.

Barbara was born and raised in the Vancouver area. She has worked as a waitress and a home support worker. Her biggest challenge is security. Barbara is most encouraged by the people around me, her family, daughter, son and grandchildren.

Mika is from Abbotsford. She has had a difficult family life and is looking for any job that will help her pay bills and pay for her own place. Her biggest challenges include finances, keeping warm, and supporting herself. She is encouraged my being around people that are going through similar challenges.

Isabel is originally from Orillia, ON and is 62 years old. Her biggest challenge is the cost of food. She hangs on to her faith in God to get her through life.

Crystal is originally from Newfoundland and has lived in the Vancouver area for the past 20 years. She has worked as a waitress. Her biggest challenge is finding a safe, affordable place to live. What helps her feel most encouraged is that there are so many generous people.

Jack has lived in the Vancouver area all of his life and he is 56 years old. He worked in construction until an injury left him unable to work. His biggest challenge is feeling unproductive, he misses working. What helps Jack to feel most encouraged is being able to help others. Merry Christmas!

"C" says that he would be grateful for absolutely anything for Christmas, and wants to make sure that others get what they need first.

Brian has lived in Surrey, BC all of his life. His biggest challenge presently is his health, he is battling cancer. He is most encouraged when he feels he has friends to talk to.