A former drug addict from Quebec wants to give back after a serious drug addiction seven years ago. This morning he He braved the storm with many volunteers to distribute 200 hot meals and clothing. People experiencing homelessness.
In front of the Saint-Roch church, Mark Gosselin managed to offer a small comfort to many homeless people for the fourth year in a row.
“I was lucky to have good friends who helped me because I was broke, with dark thoughts and on drugs from Thursday to Monday. Luckily they were there for me, but I know not everyone has this opportunity,” she explains.
“I didn't think it would be this big. This year, Sasomanian gave us 100 pounds of wood-fired meat, BAM Cafe gave us coffee, hot chocolate, muffins, and Alithya gave us lots of clothes, and that's not counting other sponsors and volunteers,” says the big-hearted.
DIDIER DEBUSSCHERE/JOURNAL DE QUEBEC
“You have to put yourself in their place”
Asked multiple times if he was still going to hold the event because of the storm, Mark Gosselin answered honestly.
“I was told I was brave enough to do it today despite the heat, but people experiencing homelessness are out there seven days a week regardless of the temperature. You have to put yourself in their shoes,” she explains.
DIDIER DEBUSSCHERE/JOURNAL DE QUEBEC
Although he did not choose his day because of the weather, Mr. Gosselin explains that he carefully chose the time of year to organize his event.
“I do it in January because suddenly in December everyone is there to help them, but they're left to their own devices again after a month,” she says.
The participants seemed to greatly appreciate his gesture, which allowed them to find some solace in their difficult situation.
DIDIER DEBUSSCHERE/JOURNAL DE QUEBEC
It's still possible to get out of it
As she concluded her interview with the Journal, Good Samaritan was eager to send a message to those currently on the street or in difficult situations so that they know they are not alone.
“Even when you're at the bottom of your life, when you're on drugs and you can't see an escape anymore, there's always a way out. […] It's not because everything is bad now, it will be like that in six months, I'm proof of that. ”
Today Marc Gosselin, despite the difficult years, proudly says he is an intellectually disabled worker at Pivot and part of the homeless schedule in Beauport.
“Music geek. Coffee lover. Devoted food scholar. Web buff. Passionate internet guru.”
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