Finding Home, Health and Community

At 70 years old, Terry has lived, worked, and played music all over Canada.

“I never strived to be more than a mediocre musician, but it’s my passion,” he says with a smile.

Terry’s life could be the subject of countless inspiring songs. A self-described “nomad,” he left New Brunswick in 1974 and through the years has worked in construction and with explosives and heavy equipment in mines. He acknowledges that he is an alcoholic but does his best to eat well.

The decades of hard labour caught up to Terry in 2014. “I couldn’t work anymore because of all the wear and tear on my body. That’s when I found myself low on money and eventually homeless.”

After some time with nowhere to live, Terry landed a spot at Cool Aid’s Next Steps transitional shelter, but gave up his room when he returned to New Brunswick to help family during COVID-19. When he came back to Victoria many months later, he could not find or afford housing. He ended up sleeping in a tent in a park for nine months before securing a spot in supportive housing.

Last spring, he was among the very first residents welcomed into Cool Aid’s new Crosstown community. “I’m really grateful to have a home at Crosstown,” Terry says. “I live on my Canadian and Old Age pensions, so this is a place I can afford.”

Terry is also thankful for the “out of this world” care he receives at Cool Aid’s Community Health Centre. And he’s looking forward to the Dr. Joe Haegert Community Health Centre opening this fall. “I can’t say enough about the health care I receive at Cool Aid. Most days, I find it hard to believe I’m still alive. And I might not
be without that health care,” he says.

Being a good neighbour is important to Terry. Shortly after he moved in, he started picking up litter in the neighbourhood on a regular basis. Right now, he’s dealing with a shoulder injury, but hopes to get back to
volunteering soon.

Thank you for supporting people like Terry. Your generosity provides not just a place to live—but the
dignity, safety, and sense of community we all deserve.