I’ve also been able to restart visiting Orca Place in the past couple of months – seeking to go every Monday and Wednesday mornings for coffee and chats. There are many new residents at Orca, so it’s been great meeting new people and hearing their stories. [I was also invited back earlier in the spring to conduct a memorial service for one of our friends who passed away.]
Of special note; [names have been changed ] Bruce is in treatment and we’ve supplied dog food for his dog being ‘dog-sat’ by a friend; Jim is working tirelessly as a peer support volunteer with Forward House and has started a photo blog of the people he meets; Beth has moved into her own trailer and feels emotionally ready for greater independence; Debbie is holding down a job and is positive about her stability; Doug still suffers from chronic back pain from when he fell off his bike three years ago; Craig is stable and enjoys regular visits from his brother and mom; Don is enjoying the summer to continue his research into the snake population on Vancouver Island; Tina has been off alcohol for over 150 days; Sue continues to support the ‘kids’ [Bob, Sean, Bill, and Shirley] living on the street with extra socks or snacks that she gets from the Manna Van. People are again finding ways to remain positive and find strength – and Manna is able to offer encouragement and support.