TESTIMONIALS

Mary, thanks so much for letting me stay overnight, I have decided to live at home with my family.   Thanks so much.   - a former resident

Hello over there in canada, lol
I just wanted to say thank you for all your help, through my rough times, but I have also had the best times while residing at your shelter... I have had some life changing experiences, now i live in another country, and doing great, i now am working on gettting my own apartment with a girl i met, and hopefully starting a family...   I'm almost at supervisor position, and it's only been a month, i'm finally happy... if you remember correctly, when i was there, i was almost all the time depressed, not any more, because if i do get that way, i think back, and ask myself, what would the shelter say? then i remember what you guys always said to me, keep your head up, and don't hit anybody.   lol, I'm living my life the way i would always imagine it, and it's all thanks to you guys.   I have also been clean off drugs for 7 months, and i don't drink anymore, now i just gotta work on quitting smoking.   lol.   Just a quick message to the kids that are residing with you now, and i will only say it once in block capitols,
NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS IN YOUR LIFE, EVERYONE MAKES MISTAKES, JUST KEEP YOUR HEAD UP, TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOUR ACTIONS, IT'S REALLY NOT HARD, LIFE IS ALWAYS GOING TO GET BETTER, IF I CAN DO IT, YOU CAN AND IT TOOK ME A GOOD YEAR OR TWO JUST TO GET ON TRACK, BUT I COULDN'T HAVE DONE IT WITHOUT CHOICES.
you guys will always be a family to me.   me and my lady are coming for a visit soon, so i hope you all are still there, anyways, i will keep in touch, regards.   - a past resident

I would like to take this time to thank-you for the help that you have given me over the few months i have resident in Choices youth shelter.   When I arrived i had nothing but a small backpack full of clothes and a broken relationship on my hands.   I had dropped out of school and had begun to use drugs.   When you began to work along side myself, I began going back to school and I have know been clean of drugs for 3 months.   When I fell and needed a helping hand all the residents and staff helped me back to my feet.   The residents and staff became my family while my family and I were having difficulties.   I am proud to say that I have gotten an apartment, going back to school full time and have rebuilt the bond with my family.   Once again thank-you for everything you have ever done for me and if there was ever a person looking for a place to stay and rebuild themselves I would not hesitate to give them your number.         - name withheld

From a past resident -
Life was looking hopeless and there was no way to go.   Then some people help me make a bold decision.   That bold decision was to move out and live a life of my own, where my decisions and choices are appreciated.   The first place I was shifted to was "Choices Youth Shelter".   The first day I came in, people around here were very welcoming.   As time progressed, I started interacting with people and all the workers here were so friendly.   They patiently listened to my story and what I went through in my life.   They at all times supported my decision to move out and were with me till the end.   They helped me make some bold decisions and were very protective.   For all of them, my safety was their main priority and they did everything possible to make me feel at home.   Now as I am leaving, I am postive that I would never forget what all of the workers and my friends (residents) did for me.   Thank you very much Mary and all the other staff members.   You all are doing great work   and may god bless you all.

From a former resident:

"My experiences at CHOICES Youth Shelter were nothing but positive. The Staff were very helpful and accommodating.   I was able to get myself up on my own feet again.   I now hold a steady job and have my own place.   I have cleaned up my life and can now move forward without looking back.   My sincere advice to youth who have found themselves with nowhere to turn or nowhere to go, should give CHOICES Youth Shelter a call.   It's a home when you don't have one.   Thank you for all your help and support through troubled times."                                                                   -Name Withheld

Thank You Note:   This note was written and left for us by a former resident just as he was leaving us to return to his family.   We are so happy that he is moving on with his life in such a positive way, but we do miss his smile and gentle sense of humour.   This note is copied exactly as it was written.

"Dear Mary,

I will take a short time to thank you for what you have done for me.   I don't have any family in this town, but just when I had no way or place to go you staff and residence was my family.

Thanks for everything."                                           -Name Withheld

• "During my stay at CHOICES I have made friends with the other residents and I enjoy the experiences I have gone through with them."
• "When you are homeless, you have one true friend; Yourself!   And sometimes you can't even trust yourself."
• "CHOICES has kept me out of the cold.   It's a good, safe place."
• "If you need help, don't wait to come by.   I can tell you, living on the street is just not fun!"

Here's one of our favourites!   This wonderful article appeared in the Winter 2005 issue of "IN THE HILLS" magazine.   It brings what is largely a hidden world into the light for all of us to learn.   Check it out:   A Shelter From the Cold

This letter means so much to all of us at CHOICES:

"My husband and I are indebted to you and your staff at CHOICES for the support you have given my son over and over again when we could not give him the help he has needed.   You have provided him with much needed emotional support and with strict guidelines for behavior.   You have provided a safe environment for him to be in and given him direction and support as to how to start to improve his life.   Your assistance and mediation with the legal system on behalf of my son has been immeasurable.   Your staff at CHOICES have provided a home-like environment and gone way beyond what is expected of them to help my son feel like a part of their family.

"We know that there are many young people in our community today that are at risk and with no place to go.   We feel if it was not for your organization and the young people that your are able to take into your shelter, many more would be lost forever as contributing members of society.

"With much appreciation and gratitude,

"Orangeville parents of an 'at risk' young person"

Please let us hear your good news!   Send your stories to webmaster@youthchoices.org or to our regular mailing address; 59 Townline, Orangeville, L9W 1V5.