A few years ago, Lloyd Hardman was at his lowest.
Struggling with Crohn’s Disease and the toll of twelve surgeries, the side effects of medications and a healthcare system that is complex to navigate, he had lost everything—his health, his career, and his savings.
After the death of his mother, life seemed to break him further. Hardman found himself living in his car, the only thing left from a once-thriving career in tech. It was during this dark time that he discovered . As it does for so many Our Place Family Members (their preferred term for people they serve), it started with a meal.
What began with a simple meal soon turned into much more: a fresh haircut, a hot shower and the support of outreach workers who helped him rebuild his life.
“They just sort of opened the door and kept things moving for me,” Hardman recalls.
With their assistance, Hardman got back on his feet, securing work and starting the long road to recovery.
“It helped me to get my body back up. Knowing I can get a hot meal at Our Place, swoop in, get back on the road, back to work,” Hardman adds.
Today, he’s not only back on track but is also giving back. Hardman is sponsoring meals for others at Our Place, standing side by side with volunteers, serving the very community that once helped him.
It’s such a heartwarming sight as he serves alongside Our Place volunteers and spends time with Family Members who are navigating the tough situation he was once in himself.
His story is a testament to the power of compassion and the life-changing impact of Our Place's services.
"The resources of Our Place and the message of hope, belonging and acceptance—I took it to heart. It’s such a pleasure to give back and be in a position to do so,” Hardman says.
Right now, hundreds of people are living rough in our city. The services at Our Place are expertly designed to get people back on their feet. And thanks to the countless stories like Hardman’s, we can be assured that these programs are effective.
Walking down the street on any given day, one thing becomes glaringly obvious. Our fellow citizens need support right now. With your help, Our Place can provide it.
During the holidays, the number of people seeking the supports at Our Place increases dramatically. This past Thanksgiving, there were greater numbers than ever before in the long memory of the Our Place team.
But, like Janice Kalin, Director of Philanthropy at Our Place, says: “Every meal is an opportunity to connect with someone and guide them to the next step on their journey to wellness. We’re grateful for our donors, who create those opportunities.”
Our Place serves 1,400 meals every day and more during the holidays. Their meal programs are 100% funded by donations. You can give someone the opportunity to get back on their feet, like Hardman, with a gift to Our Place Society this holiday season.
Learn more about giving to Our Place and the programs available to anyone who needs help in our region at .
