Stories

Discovering acceptance and the joy of serving others

By Tiberius Bianchi in 2005

As a young man, Tiberius Bianchi began occasional recreational drug use, gradually slipping deeper and deeper into addiction. At 55, he began working on recovery and housing with the help of the DARE and Resettlement Programs at Good Shepherd Centre.

The first time I came to the Good Shepherd Centre was for a brief visit, maybe six or seven years ago. I stayed here and met Helen, who worked to find me a place. It was during the winter.

I stayed here about a month on the third floor. Helen found me lodgings, a place to stay. Of course, that didn’t last very long because I was using drugs. But intermittently, I would run into Helen, and she was concerned. She’d always say, “When are you going to do something?”

So when I finally realized it was time to do something about my addiction, I saw her before anyone else. I told her I was ready. She was ecstatic to see me. She said “Are you sure?” I said “Yes.”

I went to a detox, then straight to the Transition Program here. From there I went to treatment, and then back to the Transition program for aftercare.

That was over four months ago. I’ve been clean and sober since. I’m working on housing now.

Recovery has allowed me to get back in touch with my family – my children, grandchildren, my sisters. I wish I could have done this while my parents were still alive. They both passed away in the last three years. It would have been a good present for them, seeing me do something about this addiction I’ve had for 25 years.

It’s been the best four months of my life. I’ve learned a lot. I’m more tolerant, more understanding. I’m beginning to find that humility and serving other people has its own reward.

We’re asked to do chores while we’re here. As an addict, at first you resent it – we’re self-centred. But if you stay here long enough, you see it’s okay to serve, it’s okay to be compassionate. You’re shown compassion, so you learn to show it. It’s a good feeling.

Everyone has to pitch in – there’s a lot of people who depend on this place. I see volunteers, ranging from high-school kids who make the beds to the seniors who serve the food. They all come here willingly, they love it. It’s like a family. People feel comfortable here.

Nobody judges you. You can go to the chapel, talk to the priest, you can always have the ear of the Brothers, if you need clothing, you can get it. It’s not just shelter and food. There is for the first time in my life true acceptance.

In naming Good Shepherd Ministries in my will, I felt happy to express my admiration for the hard relentless work done there every day to help the homeless and disadvantaged.

I chose Good Shepherd Ministries because I have had the opportunity to serve on their Board of Directors. I see the tremendous amount of positive change that they are making without many expenses and administrative costs. The Brothers, staff and volunteers are tirelessly doing God's work on the streets of Toronto with our most disadvantaged neighbours, brothers and sisters.