I am 33 years old and have been without a home for 2 years. My last job was in a mill, and I fled an abusive relationship.

I am 53 years old, I have been at the John Howard Society for 3 months and I am dealing with alcohol and drug addiction. I’ve been clean 3 months. The staff and people here have been excellent. One day at a time!

I am 51 years old and have been without a home for over a year. I’ve had a problem with drinking since I was 15 years old. I always try to figure out a way to change. It has caused nothing but problems in my life and the people around me the only solution is complete abstinence from drinking with the support of people that understand

I am 60 years old. I have been in Vernon for a year and without a home for a year. I was a truck driver for 16 years. I grew up in Fort Nelson. I worked in the oil patch building roads. I came to the Okanagan because it was too cold up north. Really love the area for the fishing and nice weather. Last year my wish came through by giving me a Lamborghini... a toy model of course!

I am 30 years old and have been without a home since I was 12. I have been in Vernon for a couple of weeks. Originally from Newfoundland. I have hitchhiked across Canada 2 times. I came to Vernon because a guy who picked me up went the wrong way. I had an awakening and would like to get my life in order. My shoe size is 11, I take XXL for shirts and a 36 in pants.

I am 77 years old. I have lived in Vernon since 1946 and this is the first time I have been homeless. Stopped working about 2 years ago, Truck driver for 50 years, couple of heart attacks stopped me from working at 75 years old. My roommate situation broke down and I wound up in the shelter.

I am 25 years old. I have been homeless for 5 months. Don’t give up on life and try and do what makes you happy. Be honest.

I am 43 years old. I was coming back from 6 years of travelling and cooking .I wanted to reconnect with my family. Capturing and challenging my confidence on the road. I found myself, wanting to come back and share my joyous experiences. I was trying to please everyone but myself. I got married to an east German woman (Financial planner). The marriage was short; My spouse got unconsented ‘power of attorney’ over me at eight months pregnant. Proceeding to bankrupt my business and then shipped me up to the oil patch so I didn’t really see what was really happening. My son which is presently 5 years old, I have not been able to spend an overnight in the same bed since he’s been born. By manipulation of my ex-spouse in court. I have only been able to see my son 9 hours a week, 36 hours a month. The justice system thinks that 36 hours is considered parenting. I haven’t worked for 3 years because of the trauma. I just received my persons with disabilities designation for anxiety, depression, ADHD and OCD.

I am a 43 year old male. I am staying at the homeless shelter in the treatment program wanting to make a better life for myself. I am a 12.5 in shoes, 2xl-3xl in shirts and a 40/34 in pants.

I am 81 years old and have lived in Vernon for 41 years. I have been at Howard House for almost 7 months. Because of health deterioration I came to Howard House.

I am 41 years old and have been without a home for over 5 years. I have been in Vernon for a year. My family and home fell apart five years ago after my unfaithful spouse chose to move on. This caused major life changes of loss and depression and replased after 7 years clean. It have been up and down since I recently had all my belongings stolen and have nothing left.

I am 48 years old. I have lived in Vernon most of my life and have been homeless for about 5 months. I had a stroke. My shoe size is 9.5-10, My shirt size is XL and pant size is a 32.

I am 42 years old and have been in Vernon for 40 years. I have been without a home for 2 years. I am also a size 30/30. Take a M in a shirt. I am shoe size 8.

I am 64 years old and have been homeless for 4 years. I have lived in Vernon for 2 years. Empathy is as important as oxygen or water for survival. Without it we are done. 14 muscles to smile and 41 to frown, which would you rather do?

I am 32 years old and have been homeless for 3 months. After losing my home to my ex wife I’ve decided to go back to university and get my civil engineering degree and start a new lift

I am 34 years old. I came from Alberta for work in September, the job ended in October and my employer said I’d have more work after the one job was done. I hitch hiked from Edmonton to come work for this guy and he let me go the beginning of October because we finished the job early and now I lost my home I was at and everything I worked for.

I am a 48 years old and I have lived in the Vernon area for 20 years. I have been without a home for 5 years. I am at the Howard House trying to rebuild my life.

I am 45 years old and have been homeless for about 4 years. I came here in 2009 from Kamloops, to be closer to my dad who was dying of cancer. I came out here to help my family get through the difficult time. For the past four years I have been couch surfing and accessing shelter services. Most of my adult life I have been struggling with depression and addiction.

I am 45 years old. I have lived in Vernon all my life and have been homeless on and off for 20 years. My life is up and down for a ling time I change things to make my life better. Trying to get back on my feet and transitioning back in to the community. Get my life back on track so I can enjoy life instead of not. Things will be better in the new year.

I am 40 years old and have been homeless since 2010. Planning on going to college in January for associates degree at Okanagan College. I have 5 classes left to finish degree. Going to be taking indigenous studies. I am a size 10 for shoes, take XXL for shirts and my pant size is 36/38.

I am 54 years old. I came here because I had no place to go. It was here on the streets, I came here to work in my goal of getting a place of my own in the community. I am getting back on my feet slowly and working towards my goals. Leaving the past behind and working on the new.

I am 44 years old and have lived in Vernon since 1988. I have been without a home for 5 years. Just completed recovery program working towards getting established and looking for work and transitioning into my own place. I want to start over clean and sober.

I am 52 years old. I have lived in Vernon for more than 40 years and have been without a home for 4 months. I’ve been looking for work Trying to get back on my feet and to get a place of my own

I am 69 years old. I have lived in Vernon for almost 4 years. I lived in Arizona 3 years. Moved all over Canada in the army, a little over 3 years in Germany (1963 I joined the army (21)). Grew up on a farm with aunt and uncle at 2 years of age. Joined the army to get away. Was work hose throughout childhood. Never have had brand new clothes – all handed down

I am 28 years old. I have been blessed to stay at the Howard House in Vernon which has provided me with a kind, nurturing and warm place to sleep at night. I was involved in an unfortunate situation in June of this year in which a family member stole my car and emptied the funds from my bank account. This was a very trying time for me and emotionally very draining. I suffer from chronic auto-immune and nerve function problems. This has resulted in many major surgeries and repeated IV therapy to maintain control of my health. Without a vehicle I was severely impeded in my ability to get to my weekly medical appointments for routine follow-ups. I had to involve the police and ICBC which resulted in legal action again the aforementioned family member. I was forced to cut current ties with the extremely little amount of family I have l due to their repeated past negative decisions that have impacted my life majorly. Spending tine here at the Howard House has allowed me to find myself again. I have take leadership around the house and given my time to help keep up the property. Eventually I took ownership of taking care of the extensive vegetable garden that was in dire need of some tender loving care. I provided vegetables for the kitchen here as well as had very rewarding experiences interacting with other residents that would come out to help occasionally. As I showed more dedication over time I was allowed to get some hens to provide eggs. The chickens are great for the health of myself, the garden and the other residents that frequently come out to say hello to them! The eggs are sold and the moneys go back into the garden fund. I have dedicated the next year to the Howard House vegetable garden. This is for many reasons involving my health and the benefits it provides to other residents and the actual produce for the kitchen use. I am in the current planning stages to attend the local Vernon Farmer’s market next summer and think that this would be a wonderful activity for all involved. Not only would it give the residents who help a sense of pride in a product they can tangibly see and make themselves from start to finish, but they learn new skills and can interact with the public and receive feedback from the public and bolster their sense of belonging in the community. The benefit I have received alone this year working on the garden myself has been all-encompassing and immense in nature. It has helped me get through the hard times I have encountered this year and I will be forever grateful for the hospitality the John Howard House has shown me. First of all, I wish for peace with myself this Christmas. Although my family is no longer a part of my life, I will hope to have a nice time with the residents that I have become friends with here at the Howard House. Typically Christmas has been a very hard time for me and has involved serious surgeries and treatments and deep depression. Therefore I will be happy for my warm, safe place at the Howard House this year. Anything in addition to that will be a very pleasant surprise and delight to me. I was never able to get many gifts at Christmas due to my family’s financial position; therefore I find it difficult to write a request list for Christmas gifts. Thank you for your kindness in taking the time to read this letter of mine, and I hope send the best Christmas and Holiday Wishes to you and yours! Cheers!