It has been nearly 3 years since I first walked through their doors. When I first arrived, I was struggling. About 4 years, I was living on the street, doing drugs, and slowly losing a grip on my connection with my family and friends. I also was in a bad state, mentally speaking.

One of the first things Marilyn and I talked about was the possibility of going to college. I didn’t think it was possible, given I only had a grade 10/11 education….from 6 years ago. She challenged me to apply myself.  

So I did. At random, I went into a college, none in particular, and I asked some questions about what it would take to get in. As it would happen, they were hosting their entrance exams at no cost. For free. All I had to do was my best. To just try. I got 87%, I could hardly believe it, but I did! Play the tape forward an hour, I was in. All because I tried, and applied myself.  

The following year was life changing. I maintained an average of 90%, completely sober, made amazing friends, and began to get job opportunities…life was slowly coming together.  

Just before my graduation at The Doorway, I took a hit; I lost my job. I was becoming scared that everything I had worked so hard for was beginning to disappear, and it was.  I had to move out, I had no job again and I was couch surfing again. The Doorway reminded me that all challenges are overcome by establishing goals, setting steps, and reflection on the progress made. And that all I needed to do was try.  So I did.  

Two weeks  from now, I will have been working with the same company for one year. I also have been promoted to the management team. Alongside that, I am living comfortably in MY OWN apartment, and life is full of new and exciting challenges it is hard to believe who I was 3 years ago, compared to who I am now. I may not be a millionaire, but I know what success feels like, and am thankful for all the obstacles that got in the way. All of this, I owe to the amazing supports I met along the way, especially the wonderful women at the Doorway, who guided me down the path I am on. 

-Graduate, 2019