On Thursday morning, along with a table full of Bethany members and several hundred other dignitaries, politicians, members of faith communities and other non-government organizations, I attended the annual Brunswick Street Breakfast Fundraiser. I have attended a number of these events in the past, but I think it’s safe to say this one was the most inspiring.
For many decades Bethany has been a huge supporter of the Brunswick Street Mission (you can find out more from our website, or from our Annual Reports), and you can learn more about Brunswick Street Mission at:
Brunswick Street Mission, Halifax, Nova Scotia
This year’s speaker was Guy Felicella, International Public Speaker, who shared his incredible story about overcoming life on the streets of the Downtown Eastside in Vancouver. His first-hand account of the struggles that many people face when confronted with trauma and homelessness was engaging and heartbreaking, very hard to hear, but also full of hope, and a challenge to all who hear it and want the system to change. And, want to be part of the change.
You can read Guy’s story on this website, where there are also many testimonials and links to media.
And, here is a Ted Talk … Guy Felicella: I died six times... let's stop the stigma of harm reduction | TED Talk
Here is an excerpt from his website:
“Guy Felicella grew up in a middle-class home in British Columbia but due to trauma, undiagnosed ADHD and difficulty at home and school, he fell into addiction at a young age. Guy spent 30 years in the repeated cycle of gangs, addiction, treatment, and jail.
He spent nearly twenty years residing in a two-block radius in Vancouver’s notorious Downtown Eastside. Miraculously, with sheer determination and the help of others through harm reduction and recovery, Guy managed to survive the HIV/AIDS crisis in the DTES, two decades of being homeless, multiple life-threatening bone infections, and six drug overdoses.
Today, Guy has escaped the grips of the turmoil that kept him suffering and currently resides with his wife and three young children with over a decade of recovery and sobriety under his belt.
Guy is passionate about advocating for the vulnerable people who still suffer with addiction/mental health and is adamant about educating communities on the importance of a full spectrum of care from harm reduction to recovery and to eliminate the stigma that exists around drug addiction.”
His story was both heartbreaking and inspirational. There were many tears amongst the listeners as he told personal anecdotes … particularly about how his grandmother never lost hope in him, or never stopped supporting him at any stage along his journey. And he also talked about how he was able, in his recovery, to support his grandmother at the end of her life. He told us how just before she died she was able to hold Guy’s newborn baby. Truly, I’m sure there wasn’t a dry eye in the place.
He also told a powerful story about a woman who, as he was sleeping in an alley, woke him up to give him a $50 bill and a hug. And, he told us how that changed his life.
This Sunday, we wrap up our Stewardship Education worship series with a focus on our own gifts. We will hear the commandment that Jesus left his disciples … that you “love one another” as he washed their feet at the Last Supper, showing them an example of servant leadership. Louisa and I will have a conversation with the children about how they might serve the faith community, and we will have a testimony from a young adult who has returned to the community after being away at university. We hope you can join us!
