Two years ago Tim, a 44-year-old single dad found himself in a Toronto men's shelter addicted to drugs and booze. His son was in foster care and he knew he had to find a way to turn his life around.
A trained carpenter, he had skills he could put to use if someone would just give him a chance. He spoke to a counsellor at the Fort York Men's Hostel where he was living who suggested some time volunteering at a place called the Furniture Bank might help. She told him it was a non-profit organization that collects gently used furniture and household items and uses it to help people starting from scratch furnish their apartments.
Tim volunteered for 200 hours before eventually being hired on part-time at the Furniture Bank. He now works full-time at the organization and has been there for about 18 months.
He had about five months' sobriety when he first arrived at the organization and has now passed the two-year mark.
"I was living in a homeless shelter with no job, no prospects, drug addicted and alcoholic. Honestly, I don't think I would have hired myself. But this is where I got my start again," he says. "I'm a carpenter so I thought that was a pretty good fit."
Tim began by doing repairs to the furniture that came through from donors. It allowed him to apply his trade and get focused on the future.
"My son was in foster care and all I knew was that I wanted to get him into my care. I just had to get out somewhere and do something."
He was eventually hired part-time. He also got a second job part-time at Goodwill. Between the two jobs he managed to save $3,700 while staying at the hostel and eight months later was able to rent his own two-bedroom apartment. When it came time to find furniture for his place, he naturally used the Furniture Bank.
He was able to pick out a dresser, two TVs, a stereo, computer, pots, pans, plates, cutlery, two end tables and coffee table for his living room. As well, he took home two couches and nightstands for his room and his eight-year-old son's room. He found a desk for the boy's computer and pictures for the walls. For the lot, he made a $500 donation to the Furniture Bank. (On average it costs about $433 to provide furniture for one family from the Furniture Bank.)
It took some time, but last November Tim was able to get his son to come home on weekends and now has full custody again. He is also now the one who takes clients through the Furniture Bank showroom.
