May 25, 2016
Stephen Ramage participates in the Wellness Exchange at the Drop-In Centre in Calgary. His involvement in the program helped him secure housing after being homeless for eight months.
Story and photo by Lisa Sutherland
When Stephen Ramage first arrived at Calgary’s Drop-In Centre last summer, the 60-year-old had little hope of changing the negative thoughts that contributed to him ending up homeless.
“I was in despair when I came to the Drop-in Centre and completely overwhelmed by my circumstances,” says Ramage.
“I didn’t have a place to live and I wasn’t sure how I was going to get my next meal.” He adds A counsellor at the Drop-In Centre suggested he check out the Wellness Exchange program, a partnership between the centre and Alberta Health Services (AHS).
Offered in a group setting, once a week for an hour, Wellness Exchange provides clients with a safe environment where they can learn about prioritizing possibilities, building problem-solving skills, promoting positive activities, managing reactions, promoting helpful thinking, and building/rebuilding social connections, which are commonly lost when people experience homelessness. A new module is explored weekly, for six weeks and clients are encouraged to come to as many sessions they like.
“The first time I came to the Wellness Exchange, I was looking at things very negatively,” says Ramage, who admits he initially attended for the free coffee and muffins.
“But almost immediately, it reawakened better parts of my personality that I should have been showing and helped me to reorganize my thoughts and improve my coping skills.”
Program co-facilitator Amanda Loates, a member of the AHS Street Outreach and Stabilization Team, says the program is designed to support those individuals who don’t necessarily require mental health intervention but need some support.
“Homelessness is traumatic and we’re seeing that this model of care is resonating with clients who are often remiss to ask for help,” says Loates. “It’s not always about getting people housed and treated, but about optimizing their functioning and ability to cope no matter where they’re at.” “We’re seeing many repeat clients in the Wellness Exchange and we’re building relationships with them that are encouraging them to reach out for further support.” she adds.
Ramage credits the program for helping him secure housing after living on Calgary’s streets for eight months. Although he’s completed the program several times, he continues to attend the group sessions.
“This is something I look forward to every week,” he says. “It’s an hour where I can relax and say what’s on my mind. Sometimes I feel lonely and I feel unhappy with the things I’ve done. Wellness Exchange has helped me look at things differently. I’ve never been let down coming here and I’m going to continue coming back. Wellness Exchange has made me a better person.”
Without realizing it, Stephen’s success has made a positive impact on staff and other clients.
“Stephen is so engaged and his presence makes a big impact on other clients,” says co-facilitator Jeff Sturgeon, Social Worker, Urgent Mental Health.
“He understands the material and understands what resonates with people, so he often challenges us to present things differently, to help make sure all of the participants are getting as much out of the program as he has,” he adds.
Joshua Adams, a counsellor at the Drop In Centre, says he and his colleagues are very proud of Ramage’s hard work and are pleased to see his life getting back on track,
“He’s become more reflective and more intentional in the choices he makes,” Adams says, “and it has changed his life.”
