The Story Of Johnny

Tilt Up Construction Of Mission Mart Thrift Store

On the same day as our video launch for the LIFE Recovery Shelter, we also held our Tilt Up Party.  How on earth could we tie this together to have it make sense for people, I wondered aloud.  Vicky Sovie, our Bridgewater Shelter Chaplain/Manager was visiting and she said, "Why don't you just tell a story that illustrates how both projects are tied together?  Well, it was a great idea, and that's exactly what I did.  What follows is the story I told at the Tilt Up Party.  When everyone had left, I filmed one of the panels going up.  It's a 7 minute video - amazing to watch it if you've never seen this process!

This Is The Story Of Johnny

Johnny is a young man who was bounced around foster homes all his life.  He was pulled from his home because his parents had substance abuse issues, but because he was an older child, adoptive parents couldn’t be found.  

Johnny was shy and troubled, and ended up dropping out of high school.  Soon, the sins of the parents came to haunt him and he began to drink. And when he took that first drink he felt a little bit lighter.  So he took a second drink. And a third. And eventually, drink took him.  He felt numb to the pain, and his life spiralled downwards.

Johnny came in to the Mission looking ragged, exhausted and hungry.  We didn’t know his story, but he was greeted with a smile by Greg, our Chief Thankfulness Officer.  Greg ran upstairs to tell Ken that we had a new guest he should meet, and Ken said he would be down in a few minutes.

Meanwhile, Chef Ryan cooked up a delicious lunch for the day, and a group of about a dozen volunteers were there to serve with a smile.  Louise and Dorcas dished up the warm meal - baked ham, oven roast potatoes donated by the farmers market, and mixed vegetables. Dessert was assorted baked goods donated by Smith’s Bakery and 24 Carrot Bakery.  

“Would you like a coffee, sir?” the volunteer who was waitressing asked.  

[Mumble]“That would be great.  Thank you.” Johnny mumbled, not looking up from his plate.

About that time, Ken came ambling down the stairs.  Greg pointed to the back table and Ken sat down next to Johnny.  

“Hi, I’m Ken.”

“Hey, I’m Johnny.”

“I haven’t seen you around here before, Johnny.  Are you new in town?”

Johnny looked up and saw the kind eyes of a pastor.  He started talking about his struggles, including how he was living in the bush, but the heat and mosquitoes were getting really bad.  He confessed his past, and explained how he felt like he hit rock bottom today.

“I have nothing.  Nowhere to turn. I was wandering down Cunard Street when I saw a crowd of people by the door and wondered what this place was.  I came in and realized it was a place I could get a free meal. This food is so good. I haven’t eaten since yesterday.”

Quickly assessing the situation, Ken asked Johnny if he wanted some help.

“Listen, I can get you bug spray a sleeping bag for the bush, and a clean set of clothes, or you can stay in our LIFE Recovery Shelter and we can help you get back on your feet.”

[WARILY] “What’s a “LIFE Recovery Shelter”?” Johnny asked, almost trepidly.

“It’s a mini recovery program where we work with you to take your LIFE back.  You move in, you get a private room, and we take care of you and provide the tools you need to overcome your life controlling problems.”

“Sign me up.  Anything’s gotta be better than this!” Johnny replied.

So, over the next few months, Johnny worked with the staff...

First to stablize - to be nourished, and rested, and to define his life-controlling problems.

He took part in our addictions support group meetings, life and social skills classes, and worked one on one with a volunteer mentor to document his life story.  This was the first time Johnny had ever had someone listen to him and truly hear about the life he had lived so far.

Johnny signed up for his GED, but wanted to begin to venture out, and gain some confidence out in the real world.  Ken set up a meeting with our volunteer career coach. Coach partnered him with a local agency that helped him write his resume, and practice job interview skills.  Coach then suggested he do some practical job training at Mission Mart.

Johnny dressed up, and showed up for his first day of the job readiness program.  His first stop was the classroom, where he was greeted warmly by our Volunteer Care Specialist.  He and a small group learned about Mission Mart - it’s values and goals.

“Mission Mart is more than a store,” Lisa said.  It’s an extension of Souls Harbour. We provide welcome, hope and dignity to our volunteers and our shoppers.  We’re 99% volunteer driven, and we have training for adults with disabilities and people who are overcoming life controlling problems.  We’re a place where men and women can feel safe as they practice job skills, and learn what kinds of jobs might be appealing to them.”

Jo hnnyraised his hand.  “What kinds of things can we do in the volunteer training program at Mission Mart?”

“I’m glad you asked!  There are so many things to do.  When you aren’t in class here,

• you can be out on the floor serving customers or stocking shelves,
• you can be in the back warehouse receiving donations,
• if you’re handy with gadgets or furniture, you can be in our repair shop,
• you can be part of our cleaning crew,
• you can sell and serve coffee and cookies in our coffee bar,
• you can be a greeter at the door: "Welcome to Mission Mart!"

Johnny soon found that his behind the scenes, quiet demeanor, and his attention to detail, made him an excellent cleaner, and he found his role doing janitorial duties.  He eventually found a job working for a local cleaning company, and has found a small affordable apartment to rent in a pretty decent area of town.

Johnny still volunteers twice a month at Mission Mart.  He passed his GED. And he hopes to one day find a wife and have start a family of his own.  

Obviously, this story isn’t true... but today, as we watch these walls tilt up, we mark the beginning of seeing our dream come true.  And today HRM is reviewing our building permit, so we can build our LIFE Recovery Shelter.  

The Million Dollar Bus is here to help us launch a new campaign to raise $50,000 to match our $50,000 grant we were awarded by the Windsor Foundation. With their help and with all of your incredible support we will raise the final $50,000 needed to complete our LIFE Recovery Shelter. The first step in a larger vision to create change for those that need it most from across Halifax.

Thank you for being here, to partner with us to make stories like Johnny's come to life.