I am a ’60s Scoop Survivor; both my mother and father are Residential School Survivors. I was placed in foster care at the age of four and was placed in five or six foster homes before being adopted at the age of nine. I was brought to Ontario and adopted in Sarnia in 1981.

My family is a very loving and caring family, but due to personal issues that were not attended to and/or resolved, I ended up leaving at the age of 16, becoming a resident of a boys’ home in Sarnia called The Inn of the Good Shepherd, where I aged out at 19.

I was living in Brampton at the time and was transitioning to Toronto. I did not have a place to stay/residency in place and had to stay with a friend for a short while. I looked into support programs for the general public, and while doing an online search, came across Na-Me-Res. I realized it was specifically for Indigenous men and hoped I would be accepted. I came in and spoke with an Intake Worker and was accepted into the program.

I was working full-time, so I was not able to participate in many of the programs which NaMe-Res offered, but did attend the Healing Circle. The Healing Circle was helpful in many aspects of life. I was dealing with relationship issues, cultural issues and other personal issues which had occurred throughout my life. The Healing Circle was the most helpful in terms of emotional and psychological support. The other support system in place which helped me was the Indigenous Rapid Housing Program, which assisted me in securing an apartment. For the most part, I was dealing with emotional, psychological and relationship issues. Fortunately, I do not suffer or have any addiction issues. During my stay at Na-Me-Res, I was able to deal with some of my emotional, psychological and relationship issues through attending the Healing Circles.

I was also able to secure multiple jobs and become more financially stable. I cannot give NaMe-Res enough credit and appreciation for all they helped me with. It was a time which allowed me to heal and refocus my efforts to where they should be applied. With Na-Me-Res’ help, I was able to regain stability and focus. Since March 2, 2020, I have secured employment as an assistant to a home inspector and as a superintendent of three buildings, where I am on call 24 hours, and I have also become a better father to my children.

I would like to express that more programs such as Na-Me-Res are needed in the community for people such as myself, whether it be for transitioning of location, or because mental or addiction issues are needed. I also cannot express my true gratitude as to the service and care of all who work at Na-Me-Res.

My future endeavours are to return to Na-MeRes and be able to give back to the community and the very entity (Na-Me-Res) which has been instrumental in my success story.