The Beat December 2019 Vol 4, Issue 11

e cheer
I am grateful for all the
community support you have
given the Centre for the past
32 years – we are making a
difference together!
- Luc Ouellette
Below, Luc Ouellette, Executive Director of the
Orléans-Cumberland Community Resource
Centre shares a story from one of the
community members that uses their services:
“A couple of years ago, I was living with my
common law-partner, had a place to call home
and a job. As a result of unexpected situations
that were out of my control, my life changed
as I became homeless. I started to sleep in my
car because I had no place to go – every night,
I needed to worry about parking the car, so I
didn’t get fined for sleeping in my car.
I have been using the services at the Centre
since the first day I walked in. I now have a
place where I can take a shower before going
into work. I also used their community kitchen
to cook some of my meals.
Being homeless adds a lot of additional stress
to the body. When I wake up in the morning,
my body is in a lot of pain and I have trouble
walking because I slept in my car. When I am
done my shift at work, I have the shakes just
before leaving because I can’t help asking
myself – where am I going to go?
I am not sharing my story to get your pity; I am
sharing this with you because you may be in
contact in your day-to-day life with a homeless
person without even knowing it. A homeless
person is not defined by the way you look; I am
homeless and throughout everything, I kept
my job.
The OCCRC and its staff have been
compassionate about helping and supporting
me throughout everything. I deeply appreciate
that I have a place to go for my survival and
hygiene needs.
I hope you understand how important the
OCCRC is for our community and you will
donate again this holiday season as you are
reading this letter so that individuals and
families in need can have a holiday that shines
a little brighter.”
Every year, the OCCRC runs their Christmas
Program to ensure that individuals in our
community have food and gifts for the
holiday season. Their program consists of
kind donors assisting in one of the following
areas: sponsoring a family, hosting an Angel
Tree at your location or with friends, donating
new unwrapped gifts / gift cards (valued at
$35 or more) and food donations. To take
part in their program, please contact Carla
Colonna (ccolonna@crcoc.ca or 613-830-4357
ext. 209).
the beat le rythme ỳ 19