By PAN Contributor Christine
I have been volunteering at Risebridge since November 2023. I have met so many wonderful people. I had wanted to get involved with helping the unhoused for years, but I didn’t know how to go about it. One day, I was on Facebook and saw a post that a friend had shared for this place called Risebridge. The post said they were looking for volunteers, so I contacted them right away. I remember it was a Friday and they answered my message and the following Monday I went down to the centre for the first time and met the director.
I am not going to lie, when I arrived they weren’t open yet so I had to wait outside with all the guests and I was a bit nervous. I am very shy by nature, so this was really stepping out of my comfort zone. I honestly had never interacted with the unhoused before I found Risebridge. At times, this population of people kind of scared me if I saw them on the street. Now, I am no longer afraid and I have a lot of love for the people coming into the centre.
I have had so many wonderful conversations with people, many of which are heartbreaking. I try and get to know something about everyone that comes into Risebridge. I consider it an honor that they trust me enough to share their stories and experiences with me.
People don’t choose to become addicted to drugs or alcohol and most don’t choose to be unhoused. Addiction is a disease, and many become addicted to drugs because they suffer from some type of mental illness that they couldn’t get help for. There are also the many stories of people becoming addicted to drugs because they were prescribed an opiate for an injury or post-operative pain management. These are not bad people. They are sick, and they need help.
We all want to be seen and heard and this population of people is no different. So many of our unhoused guests have told me they feel invisible. People walk past and totally ignore them. I will admit that I used to be guilty of this as well. Words don’t always have to be spoken. Eye contact and a smile does wonders for all people.
I was stopped at a red light one day, and there was a man asking for money. I didn’t have any change and I felt bad so I apologized to him. You know, he looked at me and said, just the fact that I looked at him and smiled was better than any money I could’ve given him. I almost cried right there. That stranger made my heart so happy in that moment. This was a good example of how big an impact something as simple as a smile can have on someone’s day.
I can finally say I found my purpose in life. Working with the unhoused, addicted and mentally ill is definitely my calling and passion. I have been with Risebridge for almost a year, and it has changed my life. I think the people coming into the centre help me more than I help them a lot of days. I love being at Risebridge. The other people I volunteer with are so kind and caring, and it’s almost like we are a family. We are all working together to try and better the lives of some of our most vulnerable populations. Some days are hard, and I will cry when I get home. Seeing so many people suffering gets to me at times, but at the same time, it feels good knowing that I am doing what I can to help.
Poverty Advocacy Nanaimo 