I started struggling with addiction on and off in my teenage years, but I was high-functioning. Eventually, I moved away from my childhood home in Nova Scotia and met the mother of my child. We had our daughter together, and then things started to go downhill. We separated, and I started using drugs and drinking every day. That eventually escalated to using hard drugs.
I found myself in full-blown addiction and lost my job, my place, and all of my stuff. I started experiencing homelessness and was in and out of jail. I had some difficult times with hunger and navigating the cold weather while on the streets.
My family didn’t want anything to do with me, which was especially hard on holidays like Thanksgiving. I spent five years apart from them. My rock bottom came when I was in jail speaking to my daughter’s mother, and she told me my daughter asked if I wasn’t around because I didn’t love her anymore.
Right then and there, I wanted to do what it would take to be a part of her life again. I didn’t want her to feel that way anymore. I applied to the Calgary Dream Centre. When I first walked through the doors, I was nervous that people would look at me weirdly because of my past. I quickly realized it was the opposite; this place was welcoming, and everyone embraced me.
During my time here, I was able to forgive my Dad, which came with letting go of the anger I held inside of me for a long time. Letting that go and no longer masking my pain with drugs and alcohol has allowed me to become the person I am.
Regular meals and a warm place to sleep gave me the strength to recover and return to life. Mentally, getting back to being healthy was huge. After going through the recovery program, I feel fortunate that I was able to emerge as a functioning human being who can contribute to society again.
I’m doing great now! I’m able to see my daughter and provide for her. I have a good job and my own place. It’s surprising what I’m able to do when I’m healthy!
Not being with my family for five years while I was experiencing homelessness on Thanksgiving makes me cherish getting to be with them this year all the more. I’ve recently bought a smoker and am excited to try smoking a turkey for them!
I would tell someone who was in my shoes never to give up. Someone always has someone who cares about them. You need to fight to be the person you actually are, not who you’ve become in active addiction.
Together we can remind the people of Calgary that no one is beyond hope.
Bio coming soon.
Steve Balisky is an intrapreneur with over 15 years of experience driving data-driven transformation within national companies Suncor and Mark’s. He has also been providing leadership consulting to nonprofits for the last 10 years and has served on the CDC board since 2019. Steve holds a Bachelor of Commerce in Operations Management and an MBA in Strategy. He is a husband and father of two, and has his own faith-filled recovery story, which inspires him to support others on their path to recovery.
Ben has been the Lead Pastor of First Assembly Church in Calgary since 2014, bringing over 30 years of ministry and leadership experience to the non-profit sector. He’s also an executive leadership coach, helping leaders thrive across various sectors since 2012. His experience includes serving on national and regional boards within his denomination, as well as supporting Vancouver’s homeless through his past involvement with Operation Compassion. Ben has served on the CDC board in Calgary for the past decade and believes the Church plays a vital role in creating lasting community impact.
Craig Hill has been involved with the Calgary Dream Centre (CDC) since its inception. Starting with trips to the LA Dream Centre where seeds were planted in him that were never forgotten. After years of working in business, real estate, and church ministry, Craig returned to the CDC to step in as the CEO. Craig has a deep appreciation for the life change that happens here, the incredible team, and seeing the redemptive work that God is doing. Outside of work, Craig is a family man who loves nothing more than being with his wife and kids at the lake.
David grew up in northern Canada and attended the University of Alberta where he graduated with a degree in electrical engineering. He worked as an engineer for about seven years before moving into project management and then business management, primarily focused in the oil and gas production and refining industry.
David stepped into the COO role of a business that was in trouble due to the 2008 financial crisis. After turning that business around, he took an international role leading project managers who managed a portfolio of $1.5B of projects around the globe.
Since then, David has consulted for businesses and organizations in medicine, engineering, homelessness, and addiction recovery, and serves on various not-for-profit boards.
David is currently running another business in California that was also in need of a dramatic turnaround and now scaling this business for further profitable growth.
Cal has spent 35 years in the agricultural industry and brings domestic and international executive leadership experience in strategy development, operations, business development, and M&A in a rapid growth environment. He is a Professional Engineer, Certified Post Merger Integration Specialist, and is a holder of the Institute of Corporate Directors Director designation (ICD.D).
Throughout his life, Cal has volunteered in his community in sport and programs that focus on relational, emotional, and spiritual health. He has served on non-profit boards in both governance and advisory capacities. Cal truly believes no one is beyond hope and counts it a privilege to serve at the Calgary Dream Centre.
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Bob Nash is a dedicated and service focused professional Electrical Engineer volunteering as Board Chair and Project Manager for the Calgary Dream Centre (CDC). Bob’s involvement with the CDC extends to its earliest days. His faith, and his sincere passion for helping people overcome addiction and restoring their lives, have motivated his service. Using his 35 years of senior management experience at Canadian Pacific Railway, Bob has effectively used his leadership, management, strategic planning, project management skills and philanthropic support to help propel the Calgary Dream Centre to where it is today. Bob and his wife of 44 years have two children and six grandchildren.
