Testimonials & Videos
2019 - Caritas Recognition Dinner: Sean Ward,
participant's testimonial to honour Sr. Carol Peloquin
Brian Godkin's journey from prison to Future Hope Director (English language with French subtitles)
The following are excerpts from the life experiences and program participation of Future Hope clients. To protect the privacy of Future Hope participants, we do not disclose their names. Our first book release, 75 real life short biographies entitled Two Steps Forward… Journeys from Prison to Community, please click here.
Donate $20 to receive a book. Leave message & address where to mail the book, please click here.
“ One night a prison volunteer brought his children along. His 7-year old daughter came up to me and said, “My dad told us about you, and that you don’t have a family, and we want you to be part of our family”. I went back to my cell that night, locked the door, and cried. And that’s when I began to change deeply, and for the good. I remain in contact with this very special family who has made such a difference in my life.”
“ I gained passes to attend weekly meetings in the community. I liked having a place to share my feelings and learn about myself. Now I am living at Quixote House. I acknowledge that I have temptations to go back to my old life, but my feeling of “mission” is calling me louder. I’m attending school to get my Grade 12. I have taken on the “90-day challenge”, that is 90 Narcotics Anonymous meetings, in 90 days.”
“ Future Hope volunteers are “normal” people and do not judge. I would say to those donating, “dig deep” and keep supporting. Some guys fit into the community and others don’t. Next Step and Quixote House provide a place that can make the real difference for some.”
“ While in prison, I started attending the Next Step and was welcomed into the group. The sharing and support received was a God send. Since my release, I continue to attend, and the support is instrumental in my transition and success into the community. I have learned how to deal with my emotions and the stresses in my life and continue to thrive with the help and support of my new friends.”
“ When I got out last time, I lived in a halfway house and was miserable. I didn’t deal with my feelings in a proper manner. I thought it would be easier to be in jail then on the street, so I used and went back. I see now that it takes work to be back in the community. Nothing is easy. I like Next Step because it opens the lines of communication and I get the support I need. I like the fact that there is someone there to talk to if I need help. I consider this group to be almost like a second family.”
“ When I look to the future, I am not burdened by feelings of isolation and insecurity. Instead, I am beginning to feel a greater sense of meaning and belonging with my community. I have returned to my studies at the University and the support of Next Step will help me realize my goals.”
“ I am struggling to overcome the anxiety involved in meeting new people and building the new relationships I need to become part of a pro-social community. I intend to spend some time with a friend, a peer in the community who has firsthand understanding of the struggle it is to maintain sobriety. After several failed releases over many years, I am determined to stay focused. I feel that living at Quixote House and participating in Next Step will provide the support that I was lacking in the past.”
“ I look forward to reconnecting with another offender who became a close friend while I was in Rockwood. He will be living at Quixote House. He is the one who motivated me to pursue my studies, to be focused. I am so eager to welcome him into the community and look forward to giving him support during those difficult first days in the community. Next Step meetings have given me a whole new perspective on what is really important in life. I feel like I am on a new path.”
“ As each week passed, I became more comfortable with the Next Step peer group meeting. They made it easy for me to be open and honest, not afraid.
I knew no one was there to judge me. Soon, it was my turn to welcome newcomers into the group.”