Here are some testimonials from some of the tenants living at the Champion's Centre in Ponoka. “I like Champion’s Centre because I’ve moved around most of my life. It’s the longest I’ve lived anywheres all of my life, in Champion’s Centre. It’s quite a comforting thought to say there is one place that you can live for two years and 10 and a half months.”
“The individuals at The Champion’s Centre are like the home in the pile of lumber; they fit together and support one another. All of them are the shelter they need.”
“The Champion’s Centre is actually better (than a hospital) because you can go on your own outside and downtown, and all that stuff on your own.”
One appreciates the delicious meals The Champion’s Centre provides on a daily basis, as well as the help he gets with taking his medication at the prescribed intervals. “I’m taking my medication regularly,” “I don’t see things anymore.”
Struggling with an alcohol addiction for half of his life, “They (Alberta Hospital) asked me if I wanted to move in here, and I told them I wasn’t sure what it was like. They explained it to me, and brought me down to check out the cafй. They asked me if I liked it, and I told them I did and I told them I would move in.” “I like it. It’s a good place to be. I think there should be more places like this opening up. It’s nice here. It helps me out. It keeps me away from drinking. It keeps my mind off drinking. I’ve been sober for two years, now. I haven’t had a drop of liquor in two years. I don’t do drugs. I used to smoke a lot of pot, but since I moved in here I haven’t touched none of it. I haven’t done drugs in two years, now. Not once, ever since I moved in here.”
About the Champion’s Centre’s Christian Philosophy, “It helps me. I attend church service here on Sunday. I really like the church service on Sunday. That’s what I like most about this place—the church service. Knowing that I’m around Christians makes me feel a lot better.” “If it wasn’t for The Champion’s Centre my life would still be chaotic. I got involved in crack-cocaine for a while, and this place has really helped me get off it.” “I was living in Rocky Mountain House, on an acreage. I heard about The Champion’s Centre from when I was in Alberta Hospital, and there’s no place like it in Rocky. I phoned from there and got on the waiting list. In my opinion there should be a Champion’s Centre everywhere, because there’s a need for them.” “It’s helped me get off of dope, because you can’t use it here. I tried living by myself and I can’t. It’s sort of like family. I’ve made a lot of good friends here, and it sort of gives you a feeling of worthfulness, having friends around. I spent a week in the hospital and I really missed this place. I’ll be here for quite a while. Until I get better, and then I’m going to go back to Rocky and go back to work. |
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An original tenant says he’s going to be at the centre “For good. Ten or twenty years, anyway.” Considering where he would be without the centre. “I’d be in the hospital, still,” “I can’t rent an apartment of my own and do all my own cooking.”
Another appreciates the wide range of options presented to him by The Champion’s Centre, and how it’s helped him manage his own mental illness. “I didn’t want a small place to stay. I wanted a big place, so I came here. I moved here from the hospital, I was there for a while to rest up and to get medication properly for myself. It’s the best place for me. It’s unique.” “I’m living more spiritual, which is better. It’s made me more alert of others’ needs and things like that. It’s made me more alert of other people and how I can help them.”
Another writes: “The different environment kind of stopped my voices. You’re not lost all the time.” In reference to other benefits: “The Centre Manager looks after my budget. I do appreciate it. It’s a lot better than buying groceries and cooking on your own.” “It’s pretty quiet here. There’s no liquor or girls.”
It is clear that without The Champion's Centre, many of the men would either have been institutionalized or left homeless. Men from all over Alberta who are at risk of homelessness due to economic challenges, health issues, mental illness or other obstacles find permanent housing in a Christian, compassionate and supportive atmosphere at The Champion's Centre. Of the fourteen men that reside at the Centre four have been there from its opening in June, 2002. Only four of the total number have been there less than a year. That is significant! Where some had been institutionalized for fifteen years and others in and out of hospitals for the last twenty years, these individuals have made the Centre their home without relapsing and being institutionalized again. That speaks to the quality of this "home" environment.
One could expect disharmony and perhaps pandemonium at times with 16 individuals living together under one roof. But that is not the case. Instead there is a sense of camaraderie where the residents look out for each other. This is most likely due to a Christian atmosphere of love and kindness.
For Applications for Tenancy and other Tenant Resourcs click here. |
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