After overcoming his addiction to hard drugs seven years ago, a former drug addict from Quebec wants to give back. This morning he did braved the storm with its many volunteers and distributed 200 hot meals and clothing People affected by homelessness.
In front of the Saint-Roch church, Marc Gosselin was able to give a little comfort to many homeless people for the fourth time in a row.
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“I was lucky to have good friends who helped me because I was going bankrupt, having dark thoughts and taking drugs from Thursday to Monday. Luckily they were there for me, but I realize that not everyone has this opportunity,” he explains.
“I didn’t think it would get this big. This year, Chasomaniak gave us 100 pounds of woodmeat, BAM Café gave us coffee, hot chocolate and muffins, and Alithya gave us lots of clothing, and that's not counting the other sponsors and volunteers. says the man with the big heart.
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“You have to put yourself in their shoes”
When asked multiple times if he would still hold the event due to the storm, Marc Gosselin answered candidly that it wasn't the few hours of freezing his butt off that would prevent him from moving forward with the event. .
“I was told I had the courage to do this despite the temperatures today, but people experiencing homelessness are outside seven days a week regardless of the temperature. You have to put yourself in their shoes,” he explains.
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Although he didn't choose his day based on weather conditions, Mr. Gosselin still explains that he carefully chose the time of year to organize his event.
“I do this in January because in December everyone is suddenly there to help them, but a month later they are left to fend for themselves,” he says.
The participants also seemed to really appreciate his gesture, which gave them some comfort despite their difficult situation.
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It's still possible to get out of there
As he concluded his interview with the Journal, the Good Samaritan wanted to send a message to people who are currently on the streets or simply in a difficult situation to help them understand that they are not alone.
“Even when you're at the lowest point in your life, when you're taking drugs and you can't see a way out, there's always a way out […] It's not because everything is bad right now that it will be the same again in six months, and I'm proof of that.”
Today, Marc Gosselin is proud to say that despite difficult years, he works as an intellectual disability worker at Pivot and is part of the homeless group in Beauport.
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