Each year, SHIP recognizes the personal achievement or outstanding work in the community of a client or tenant of the SHIP program. This individual is presented with SHIP’s Inspiration Award at the Annual General Meeting.

The 2009 winner of SHIP’s Inspiration Award is an individual who moved into one of our recovery residences in June of 2005, after having been released from another housing program.

At that time, he was experiencing challenges with independent living which were complicated by difficulties with alcohol. His relationships with family members were estranged and his activities of daily living (ADL) skills were declining.

After relocating to the recovery residence, he created a specific goal of returning to independent living within three to five years. During his time he focussed on achieving his goal by:

• volunteering and completing chores at the recovery residence
• enhancing social skills
• attending Alcoholics Anonymous meetings regularly
• voluntarily seeking a trusteeship program to assist with personal budgeting
• re-connecting with his artistic abilities and joining an art class

He also re-established positive relationships with family members and further increased his network of support by seeking care from a new psychiatrist and family physician.

Throughout his journey our award winner displayed fierce determination, focus and fortitude. He recognized his own debilitating behaviours and worked to overcome those challenges. In doing so, he successfully changed the course of his life.

On March 1, 2009, our winner signed a Tenancy Agreement for a one-bedroom SHIP unit in Brampton.

In his nomination, it states “It is inspiring to know that this year’s winner could accomplish many small changes each day by making specific decisions that put him on the path to recovery. This path has seen him achieve not just the goal of independent living but has assisted him in regaining skills and relationships with the important people in his life”.

SHIP proudly salutes our Inspiration Award winner of 2009!

To learn more about SHIP’s programs and services, contact Central Intake at 1-905-795-8742.