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Home > Support LOFT > What Does Your Money Do? > Mental Health and Justice Initiative – Kevin’s Story

Small tdot headerKevin’s Story

I grew up in Regent Park to an alcoholic mother. I was surrounded by a bad environment and poor influences and started boxing to let my anger out. It helped me out in the streets but really it was just a way to beat someone up and get away with it. I started drinking when I was 14. It was easier to talk to people and to socialize when I was drinking but really, it was just liquid courage. Between the ages of 14 and 35 I was in and out of prison, homeless at times, and struggling with addiction. When I was 35, I went into treatment and got cleaned up and sober. I got a job; I worked for various social service agencies. I was a support worker. I helped people who were in my position. I knew what it was like to walk in their shoes. My life went on; I got married, I had a child. But it slowly started to unravel again. In a professional capacity I was coaching people on getting their life back together but after work I was drinking, I was taking drugs, I was violent. Eventually, my wife couldn’t take it anymore and kicked me out.

I was using every drug you can imagine. Crack, cocaine, opiates, alcohol. Soon, I landed in jail. I was in for 14 months on various charges including drug possession and assault. My life was in shambles. Now, I look back and see being arrested as a good thing. I see it as being rescued. I was hurting people including my family and friends and knew I had to change. In jail, I met a worker who introduced me to the Mental Health & Justice Initiative. I filled out an application and was accepted.

I came here nine weeks ago and my life has changed for the better. It’s great being here. Coming here is huge. It’s like one big aftercare. I know I am stable here and I know I’m in Recovery. Before, when I was sober – that was it. I can’t say I was in Recovery before. But now I can. I’ve been sober for 20 months and I’m in Recovery. It’s great.

It’s the first time I’ve lived by myself in all of my 44 years of life  – and I won’t lie, it does get a bit lonely at times – but I know if I ever need someone, my worker and all the staff at MHJI are there for me. I know I can go downstairs to the common room and there will be someone there who knows my name and can help me. To know there is always a safe place I can go has helped me a lot. It’s a community and we’ve adopted each other.

Now, I’ve applied for independent housing and been approved. I know that even living in independent housing, I will still have the support of LOFT available to me. That’s so important to me. I trust that my worker will be there. I trust that LOFT will be there. I know that I won’t be judged for who I am and what I’ve done. I can be myself. LOFT challenges me to get better and my journey keeps getting better with LOFT. For those out there who are going through the things I went through…keep your head up – things will get better. Things will work themselves out.

Make Your Donation Now and Help Others Like Kevin!

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LOFT Community Services
15 Toronto Street, 9th Floor
Toronto, Ontario M5C 2E3
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15 Toronto Street, 9th Floor
Toronto, Ontario M5C 2E3
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Charitable Registration Number: 13058-6605-RR0001

In This Section

  • Holiday Wish List
  • Everyday Hero Monthly Giving Club
  • Events
    • 29th Annual Home for the Holidays Concert
    • 2019 Annual General Meeting
    • Christmas Concert 2018 – 28th Annual Christmas Concert
    • Christmas Concert 2017
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    • Beavers Help
    • CIBC Employee Team
    • Cookies Anyone?
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    • St. Timothy Helps St. George
    • Adath Israel Mitzvah Day
    • Global Pet Foods
  • What Does Your Money Do?
    • Connie’s* Story
    • From despair to joy: Estelle Young
    • Michael’s Story
    • Dianna’s Story
    • Andrew’s story
    • Nora’s story
    • Beverley Lodge – Tawfic’s Story
    • Behavioural Support Services-Mobile Support Teams – Jack and Mary
    • Pauline Has HOPE
    • College View – Harry’s Story
    • Crosslinks Housing and Support Services – Chris’s Story
    • Crosslinks Seniors Housing and Support Services – Charles’s Story
    • Dunn Avenue – George’s Story
    • Ingles House – Emily’s Story
    • Ingles House – Ginny’s Story
    • Ingles House – Paige’s Story
    • John Gibson House – Danny’s Story
    • John Gibson House – Mary’s Story
    • McEwan Housing and Support Services – Marshall’s Story
    • McEwan Housing and Support Services – Richard’s Story
    • Mental Health and Justice Initiative – Kevin’s Story
    • Mental Health and Justice Initiative – Shawn’s Story
    • Mount Dennis Supported Housing – Nikone’s Story
    • Mount Dennis Supported Housing – Mike’s Story
    • St. Anne’s Place – Faye’s Story
    • St. Anne’s Place – Jim’s Story
    • Sherbourne High Support House/MHJI – Leslie’s Story
    • St. Anne’s Place – Client Stories
    • St. George House – Floyd’s Story
    • Transitional Age Youth Program – A.J.’s Story
    • Transitional Age Youth Program – Beth’s Story
    • Transitional Age Youth Program – Devon’s Story
    • Transitional Age Youth Program – Mardi’s Story
    • Transitional Age Youth – Michael’s Story
    • Wilkinson Housing and Support Services – Danny’s Story
    • Wilkinson Housing and Support Services – David’s Story

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“If you don’t have a roof over your head, how can you take care of your body and soul?”
“It helped me to see that not everything in life has to be a struggle or a hurt.”
“Thanks for the courage you instilled in me to never give up.”

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Resources

  • For information on programs
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  • Read AJ’s story

 

Legal Name: LOFT Community Services

15 TORONTO STREET
9TH FLOOR
TORONTO, ON M5C 2E3
P: 416-979-1994 • F: 416-979-3028
Charitable Registration Number: 13058 6605 RR0001

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  • About Us
    • Our Mission
    • Our History
    • Board List
    • Strategic Plan
    • Annual Reports
    • Newsletters
    • Speakers’ Bureau
    • Resources
    • Policy Manual
    • Transparency and Accountability
  • Support LOFT
    • Donate Now
    • Everyday Hero Monthly Giving Club
    • Ways to Give
    • Our Commitment to Donors
    • What Does Your Money Do?
    • Events
    • Get Involved
  • Programs
    • Supports for Youth
    • Supports for Adults
    • Supports for Seniors
  • Need Services?
  • Jobs