CLIENT TESTIMONIES

Client Testimony #1

April 5, 2019


Before coming to Hope Awaits I struggled with relationship issues, financial issues, court involvement issues, and I was working for another employer and it failed.  All of this led me back into drugs, alcohol, and prescription medication.  I ended up going to the Crisis Centre.  However, while at the Crisis Centre I had a blackout, which led to me being sent to the North Bay hospital.  While at the North Bay hospital I began working with a crisis intervention team that referred me to Hope Awaits.

 

Two years prior to coming to Hope Awaits I started hearing voices.  I met a Christian man who told me that my issues really were spiritual issues, not natural issues.  This man was one of two who came to visit me in the hospital.  After coming to Hope Awaits I discovered that this Christian man is one of their volunteers.


At this time in my life I was on an emotional roller coaster ride.


The difference between Hope Awaits Ministries and other agencies that I have worked with is the family atmosphere, having my own room and privacy, and being treated as an individual, not a case file.  I learned to have a relationship with Jesus and God, and I learned the difference between being financially ready to be on my own, and emotionally and psychologically ready to be on my own.  The only motivation of other agencies is to get you some money and a place to live and get you out of there; but at Hope Awaits I am getting healing emotionally, psychologically, and especially spiritually.  They don’t tell me what to do; they just enable me to make my own decisions.  Now I have a support group at Hope Awaits to enable me. 

Client Testimony #2

April 7, 2019


I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!  The day I came to Hope Awaits, looking back now it felt like the worst day of my life, but now I know it was the best day ever.  I came to the end of myself that day, and on a beach I cried out to God.  I felt lost and alone.  I had no direction and screamed “what next God?”  I clearly heard him tell me “Hope Awaits”.  I left the beach in despair but felt comfort that I was being led by the Lord.  It was a very hot day and when I arrived it was on the hour of the day that Hope Awaits first opened.  I was greeted and given cold water to drink.

I am currently in a PSW program at Canadore College, and the only thing standing between me and my degree is one quiz and about 60 hours of community placement.

It’s not been easy, but with the staff of Hope Awaits they gave me the support and encouragement that I never had before and when everything in me was saying “give up, you’re not good or smart enough” they believed in me and always have the right words of encouragement I need to hear.

​I am a father of four children who are about to get their dad back!  Thanks to God and Hope Awaits I have walked through a door that can never be opened again.

The long care home that I am currently working at is located on that same beach where I decided to follow God and make that walk of faith to Hope Awaits that day.

I would like to thank all of you who have supported this ministry, without you this would not have been possible.  Thank you and God bless.


Client Testimony #3

February 25, 2020


​God’s master plan brought me to a Christian men’s shelter called Hope Awaits Ministries in North Bay, Ontario.  My emergency needs were simply a roof over my head and 3 meals a day.  However, I found much more than shelter and food, I found God’s purpose for my life.

Here is my story… I visited the shelter’s website and found out that intake is between 5:30 pm and 6 pm daily as a walk-in.  I showed up at that time and then the friendly staff conducted an intake application in the form of a short 25 minute interview.  During the interview I was asked what my housing needs were, what was my situation, criminal record check, and my goals in life.

I was told that I was accepted into the house and moved in the following day.  When I arrived we filled out some paperwork and went over house policies.  I was so grateful to find a housing solution so quickly that my stress was gone immediately.  My parents and family lived out of town, so I did not have any other options to fall back on, I would have been homeless if it were not for Hope Awaits Ministries men’s shelter.  I experienced God’s first miracle, with many more to be revealed.

Hope Awaits gave me an opportunity to push the reset button on my life.  At the shelter I was called by God to participate in unlimited Bible studies (some days twice a day, sometimes 6 days a week), meal time and group prayer, personal growth through reading scripture, snow shoveling, house chores, and meal cooking for my shelter family.

Through Hope Awaits I discovered Lakeshore Evangelical Missionary Church.  At the church I received fellowship and accountability, I learned the power of prayer and communing with God, worship of God, and had the opportunity to volunteer several times.

Once I said yes to Jesus, I could not get enough Jesus.  My story is still being written and God is my author. 

Client Testimony #4

September 20, 2022


I tried to get in to some other shelters in North Bay, but they were all full.  Years ago I had been to another shelter and it was a very different feel.  It felt very open and lots of people coming and going and obviously people in different situations and families.  For myself, this being a men’s only shelter was very comforting for me that I didn’t have to worry about interfering in other people’s lives in a vulnerable time; I felt that I could be myself being where I’m at here.

When asking for help, it’s very tough to do and they make you feel very comfortable and cared for by the help that they offer here.

I’ve seen from the short time that I’ve been staying here how they’ve helped different people in my situation with their particular issues that they need to deal with.  I’ve seen how they reach out to the community with people that come to the door.  It’s a very caring, very loving environment.  I feel very comfortable here; it doesn’t feel like a shelter; it feels more like a home environment.

I would like to say the staff here have made it really comfortable to be here.  Honestly when I first came to the door I didn’t know what to expect.  They’re very welcoming and have been very helpful in helping me figure out what I need to do to progress back into not being homeless.  I’ve been given a safe environment and warm roof over my head, so it’s been very nice.