by
Robyn T. Braley
(with notes from Doris Fleck)
It
was Christmas Eve 2008 when he woke up in a urine-soaked
stairwell huddled with other addicts fighting the biting
cold of the icy wind. His life had spiralled out of
control from a promising career as a legal surveyor in
the oil industry to a life of desperation driven by a
$2,400-a-day crack habit. The husband and father of
three went from a life others only dreamed about to
living on the streets dealing and using crack cocaine.
He
started using on weekends and thought he was in control.
He was wrong. Soon his only quest was for money to feed
his habit. His wife informed him their marriage was over
and that she was seeking a divorce. By email.
A
drug induced rage caused him to raid their savings and
remortgage their home for $250,000. Soon it was all
gone. Then things got worse.
If
this sounds like an episode of Law & Order you are
wrong. It is a real life story of one of the residents
whose life has been reclaimed at the Calgary Dream
Centre.
Cast off on the side of the road with the trash, for
many residents of the Calgary Dream Centre, their
journey to addiction and homelessness began at a young
age. But the Christian-based program is proving that
it’s never too late to restore hope and dignity to their
lives. — photo by Peter Fleck
The Calgary Dream Centre (CDC) is holding its 8th annual
Radiothon fund raiser on Thursday, September 23 between
6:00 am and 7:00 pm. The fund raising marathon will
support Dream Centre programs that help men overcome
various issues including substance abuse, gambling
addictions, and homelessness.
And why is that important? Wives reclaim husbands,
children get their Daddys back, mothers their sons,
companies gain valued employees.
Radiothon 2010 will focus attention on how making
amends impacts the process of reuniting families and
healing relationships. A new community action theme will
be introduced called, "I Never Gave up on You."
Executive Director Jim Moore observed, "Love based on
Biblical principles is the foundation for all the Dream
Centre represents. The bottom line is that Jesus never
gave up on me, and He never gave up on you."
He
continued, "Everyday we see God work miracles in the
lives of our residents because He never gave up on them.
Someone in their life – a mom, a dad, a wife, a child, a
counsellor, a friend, a church, or a company never
stopped believing. They never gave up."
The Dream Centre offers hope, recovery, and
transformation to men who want to make real change.
Programs help men transition back into society to become
productive members of our community.
This year social media strategies are being introduced
using facebook, twitter, and texting to mobilize online
communities of supporters. An event website, introduced
in 2008, will log real time donations which can be
tracked throughout the day at
www.calgarydreamcentre.com.
Business leaders, community leaders, church leaders and
sports personalities will appear live with CDC residents
on Shine FM and AM1140. Visitors can watch the action in
the CDC dining room which will be transformed into a
call centre and live broadcast studio.
The public is invited to stop by, make a donation, and
enjoy a free breakfast beginning at 6:00 am. Free
coffee, desserts, and fellowship in the DC Café will be
available all day.
The Dream Centre receives funding from private
individuals, businesses, foundations, government,
service clubs and others.
Marketing Coordinator Madeline Campbell noted, "Some
callers donate $50. Two years ago the President of a
large company was an interview guest. He quietly made a
donation of $10,000 before he left the building. Last
year Gordon Elhard delivered a gift of $45,000 from
Centre Street Church." Jim Moore still gets emotional
when recalling that moment.
"Local churches provide a significant portion of our
funding base," he said. "Some donate while others
sponsor residents who may be members of their
congregation and are locked in a fight against
addictions or some other issue."
"First Assembly founded the Dream Centre and plays a
major roll at all levels. First Alliance partners with
us as they do other ministries."
Partner with us in making the Dream Centre a beacon in
the midst of darkness for those without hope." Call
403-214-5490 to donate.
And, the resident? He has completed his program and is
back into the lives of his children. They never gave up
on their daddy.
