Hope for Dark Days
Dan, a former law enforcement officer, was in a desperate situation. After a failed relationship he was arrested and incarcerated for mischief. Through The Salvation Army he found a glimmer of hope knowing he wasn’t alone in his struggle.
Growing up, Dan experienced family challenges—he never knew his father. Then, when his father returned from fighting in the Second World War, Dan met him. It was then that his childhood turned to one of upheaval and fear.
“My dad turned to alcohol to cope with the lingering stress of his combat experiences,” says Dan. “Life at home was never the same.”
Physical abuse was frequent and, one day, in a drunken stupor, Dan’s father wrapped his hands around his neck, closing his windpipe until his sisters pulled their dad away. In his father’s eyes, the 13-year-old hadn’t cut enough grass for his liking.
Dan was accused of many things he didn’t do. He kept hoping the abuse would stop. But it didn’t and he eventually left home. It took him years to rebuild feelings of safety, confidence, and self-esteem.
Reclaiming Life
In 2012 Dan’s six-year relationship with his partner collapsed and he was forced from his home. One incident led to another. He was charged with mischief and spent 40 days in pre-trial custody. The Crown was asking for five months incarceration.
“I had no prior criminal record, “says Dan. “Faced with one of my most difficult life events, I put a suicide plan in place. But before I followed through on hanging myself, I reached out to a prison social worker for help.”
Before long Dan stood before the courts where it was deemed he’d fallen through the cracks of the justice system. He was released on bail with the condition that he live at The Salvation Army’s Barrie Bayside Mission in Ontario and participate in their bail supervision program. This included individual reporting, guidance, referral to community services as well as an anger management course.
“I can’t say enough about The Salvation Army,” says Dan. “They gave me a whole new start and the opportunity to show them I’m not a bad person.”
Dan says his days are easier. He has a room in a boarding house and enjoys meals and friendship at The Salvation Army.
“The Salvation Army means three things to me—care, compassion and love,” says Dan. “Things I haven’t received in a long, long time.”
