Village of Hope Stories Click to read more! “We've been supporting the centre for so many years now. There's a lot of trust there.” -- Karin Watson, Victor Canada Read More I really hope people know that the praise I have to give is genuine and it's one of the places that I will constantly look back on to tell people about and share my experience with anybody that is not only struggling, but is curious. That place changed my life.” -- Xavier Read More “I can’t put into words how much Dave Smith helped me. Without them, I’d probably still be struggling with addiction. Now, I’m studying welding in college, something I’ve wanted to do since I was a kid.” -- Patrick Read More “Food is my love language. Seeing our clients eat well and take care of their bodies has been the most fulfilling aspect of doing what I love.” -- Nena Read More “I’ve learnt so much from DSYTC, I’m a different person than I was 3 months ago. I want to have a good life now because I know I deserve it, I want change.” -- Adrien Read More “When I got here, I knew this was where I was meant to be.” -- Erin Read More “It was nice to be around people who understand and are kind of going through the same situation, even though it may not be the exact same problem.” -- Summer Read More “I think the biggest thing for me is to get my students engaged in their academics, in their life, and in wanting to be a lifelong learner. My overall goal is for my students to embrace their self-worth and have hope about their futures.” -- Shana Read More “Being told I needed to go to treatment was one of the most difficult things to come to terms with." -- Imran Read More "Without Dave Smith, I wouldn’t have a relationship with my daughter. Jess would be gone. I don’t think she would be alive today." -- Sabrina Read More "Honestly, when I got to the Dave Smith Centre, I felt so much weight fall off of me – it was like the pressures of everything around me were gone." -- Haley Read More "Dad could be serious at times, but there was a lot of laughter; every day I worked with him was so much fun. The Dave Smith Youth Treatment Centre is his legacy, and it’s an absolute necessity in the community." -- Sharron Smith, Dave Smith’s daughter and a DSYTC donor Read More "I graduated a year early from high school, went to college at 17 to study medical esthetics, and now I’m about to graduate with a degree in Nursing. I would not have been able to do any of that without the coping skills I learned while I was at Dave Smith." -- Shelby Read More "Everything felt hopeless. It wasn’t until I got to the Dave Smith Youth Treatment Centre that things changed for me." -- Asha Read More "There’s nothing I could possibly do or say that would show the extent of my gratitude. I owe my life to Dave Smith." -- Abigail Read More "I love this organization and believe in it. No two days have ever been the same. It’s intense but incredibly rewarding." -- Shannon Read More "…with staff at Dave Smith, there was no shame in the relapse. It was always a safe place to go and get the help I needed." -- Wyatt Read More "DSYTC gave me hope and taught me how to not only help myself, but help out others enduring similar situations." -- Brett Read More "I was 19 when I got to Dave Smith and I enjoyed the program from the very beginning. It was very welcoming, and all the staff are invested in their work. It was a good, positive environment for me to step into.” -- Kadin Read More “Every client is different, and it’s fascinating getting to know each one’s story. It’s so rewarding, especially when you have a client who becomes really comfortable working with you.” -- Dave Whalen Read More “I really do love my job. It’s not only about helping the clients – but also everyone around them. Addiction is not a one-person thing; it ripples out to everyone around that person.” -- Jenna Read More “When I look back on our journey of the last few years, the thing that really strikes me is the support we got as a family from the DSYTC.” -- Nancy Read More “As a youth struggling with addiction, I found hope for a better life and future at Dave Smith, and seven years later, I am living the life I only could have dreamed of as a struggling 16-year-old.” -- Jess Read More
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