Never Give Up Stories
At Wood’s Homes, the success and relief from crisis for the children, youth and families who come to us is something we never stop striving for. We never give up, and we know that under our client’s struggles is the potential for stability and a future free from hurt.
Whether you’re in search of help, looking for info on a program or just want to learn about our work, it is our pleasure to share some of our client’s successes with you to inform and inspire. Here are some of their stories.
Oscar's Story
I was 16 years old when I left home. I moved out due to domestic violence issues at home, then lost my job and turned to partying and drugs. The drugs got worse and “visits” to jail were frequent for me. After six years I decided enough was enough and started a treatment program to overcome my struggles with addiction.
Dez's Story
My name is Dez, and thanks to you, I can tell my story. There was a time when I wasn’t sure I’d be here to tell it.
I first came to Wood’s Homes 7 years ago.
At the time, I was living on the street.
Oscar's Story
I was 16 years old when I left home. I moved out due to domestic violence issues at home, then lost my job and turned to partying and drugs. The drugs got worse and “visits” to jail were frequent for me. After six years I decided enough was enough and started a treatment program to overcome my struggles with addiction.
Dez's Story
My name is Dez, and thanks to you, I can tell my story. There was a time when I wasn’t sure I’d be here to tell it.
I first came to Wood’s Homes 7 years ago.
At the time, I was living on the street.
Eric's Story
I was what you’d call a “problem child”.
My family was really messed up. So I came to live at Wood’s Homes when I was only 9 years old. I spent my childhood in and out of Wood’s programs. I was just a kid.
Ken's Story
Growing up, everyone from the same walk of life as me faces that one moment where it’s like, you have a choice. You can do a bunch of really risky stuff and maybe things would be okay. But, you knew you’d always end up in jail.
Eric's Story
I was what you’d call a “problem child”.
My family was really messed up. So I came to live at Wood’s Homes when I was only 9 years old. I spent my childhood in and out of Wood’s programs. I was just a kid.
Ken's Story
Growing up, everyone from the same walk of life as me faces that one moment where it’s like, you have a choice. You can do a bunch of really risky stuff and maybe things would be okay. But, you knew you’d always end up in jail.
Mohammed's Story
Before I came to Starting Points, I was struggling with my school work. I would leave class without permission. I used to have tantrums. I would cry and yell, a lot. I would do that when I didn’t get my way. I used to try really hard to avoid work. I used a lot of excuses. I pretended to be sick.
Cole's Story
Cole was referred to Wood’s Homes by Alberta Health Services. He had been diagnosed with ADHD when he was around 8. Prior to arriving here he was having trouble in school, skipping and becoming increasingly hard to manage.
Mohammed's Story
Before I came to Starting Points, I was struggling with my school work. I would leave class without permission. I used to have tantrums. I would cry and yell, a lot. I would do that when I didn’t get my way. I used to try really hard to avoid work. I used a lot of excuses. I pretended to be sick.
Cole's Story
Cole was referred to Wood’s Homes by Alberta Health Services. He had been diagnosed with ADHD when he was around 8. Prior to arriving here he was having trouble in school, skipping and becoming increasingly hard to manage.
Anthony's Story
Anthony was 5 when he came to our Capitol Hill program after being apprehended due to domestic violence concerns in his home. As anyone with young children knows, this is an age when children absorb everything, including abusive behaviours and the emotions that go along with them.
Dylan's Story
Dylan stumbled into the Lethbridge Youth Shelter at 3 a.m. one cold fall morning, highly agitated and bleeding from his leg. He was living on the street and had been stabbed by another homeless youth. He didn’t know where else to turn.
Anthony's Story
Anthony was 5 when he came to our Capitol Hill program after being apprehended due to domestic violence concerns in his home. As anyone with young children knows, this is an age when children absorb everything, including abusive behaviours and the emotions that go along with them.
Dylan's Story
Dylan stumbled into the Lethbridge Youth Shelter at 3 a.m. one cold fall morning, highly agitated and bleeding from his leg. He was living on the street and had been stabbed by another homeless youth. He didn’t know where else to turn.
Claire's Story
“The Whole Family Treatment Program has helped me and my boys through an extremely stressful and difficult time. I am thrilled to tell you that although our struggles will never be over, our lives have improved 10-fold."
Mckayla's Story
McKayla arrived at Wood’s Homes with a lot of anxiety and very low self-confidence. She eventually ended up in our housing program, New Horizon. One afternoon, our employment program (LEAD) supervisor John saw a Help Wanted sign in the window of a local café and decided to ask if they’d be willing to take a chance on McKayla.
Claire's Story
“The Whole Family Treatment Program has helped me and my boys through an extremely stressful and difficult time. I am thrilled to tell you that although our struggles will never be over, our lives have improved 10-fold."
Mckayla's Story
McKayla arrived at Wood’s Homes with a lot of anxiety and very low self-confidence. She eventually ended up in our housing program, New Horizon. One afternoon, our employment program (LEAD) supervisor John saw a Help Wanted sign in the window of a local café and decided to ask if they’d be willing to take a chance on McKayla.
Laura's ('Miss Adventure') Story
Some stories have a happy ending. Some stories remind us of our human frailty.
Laura came to Wood’s Homes in her early teens.
She was high-spirited. She had a magnetic personality and a feisty nature. People – staff and kids were drawn to her.
Aiden's Story
Because of your generous support, children have a safe place to turn to when they need help. Together, we are changing the lives of children like Aiden every day.
This story is an excerpt from the book One Hundred Stories for One Hundred Years: A history of Wood’s Homes as told by the people who lived and worked there.
Laura's ('Miss Adventure') Story
Some stories have a happy ending. Some stories remind us of our human frailty.
Laura came to Wood’s Homes in her early teens.
She was high-spirited. She had a magnetic personality and a feisty nature. People – staff and kids were drawn to her.
Aiden's Story
Because of your generous support, children have a safe place to turn to when they need help. Together, we are changing the lives of children like Aiden every day.
This story is an excerpt from the book One Hundred Stories for One Hundred Years: A history of Wood’s Homes as told by the people who lived and worked there.
Sucess Story: Your Impact: Building Skills for a Brighter Future
How can multi-barriered youth gain the life skills, confidence and experience to find employment? The answer is YOU.
Your support of our specialized youth employment programs helps young people, like Suzy. Soft-spoken, quiet and nervous, Suzy was a lovely high school student looking to take the next step in her life. She came to the Inglewood Opportunity Hub (IOH) looking for real world training that would help her prepare for and find her first job. Suzy wasn’t quite sure where to start, but when she came to Wood’s Homes and the specialized employment program, she found support and guidance.
Sucess Story: Your Impact: Caring for the Community, Thanks to You
Major routine changes, school closures, working from home, loss of employment, self-isolation and physical distancing are just some of the ongoing challenges of COVID-19. Many of us, our friends, family members and neighbours are coping with fear, anxiety, stress and depression.