Couple credits Winnipeg Harvest with changing their lives
Rina Morris and Drew Hermkens beat addictions and are rebuilding their lives thanks to food bank
Drew Hermkens and Rina Morris have about $50 in their bank account and they're not afraid to leave it there because nowadays, they know they won't spend it all on crack.
"I used to have to spend all my money as soon as I got it, because I was scared I'd go feed my addiction," Hermkens said. "But now I got it beat."
It's just one of the many life changes that Hermkens and Morris have gone through since CBC Manitoba met the couple about a year ago. And they credit it all to Winnipeg Harvest.
"Things are going really, really good," Hermkens said. "Harvest … it wasn't just the food, you know? It was, like, they really believed in us and gave us confidence."
It was, by all accounts, a combination of efforts.
Last year, Hermkens and Morris knew they were close to rock bottom. They lived in a tent across the street from Winnipeg Harvest. Their health was failing, their teeth were rotting — crack addiction will do that — and their personal demons were thriving. ("Anger management" was an ongoing issue, Hermkens said.)
But then something kind of cool happened. David Northcott, Harvest's executive director, wandered over to their tent and introduced himself. He invited them to Harvest for food and access to a hot shower.
When they arrived, they got so much more than a healthy meal.
Through Harvest, they hooked up with some rehab programs. Then they learned about Harvest's in-house training programs and, with encouragement from staff, enrolled in everything from computer training to fork-lifting.
"Never, ever figured I'd know anything about computers," Hermkens said. "Didn't think that was in the cards for me."
Got married, found a home
But that was just the beginning. Newly clean and confident, they got married — "That was really great," Hermkens said — found a low-income home to rent, and even adopted a pet golden retriever.
"It doesn't cost as much to feed him as it did to get high," Hermkens said, laughing. "And he's a lot healthier for us."
"It's pretty easy when you cut out the drug addiction and the gambling," he said. "We actually have a bit of money at the end of the month."
And for the first time in a long time, they're making plans for the future. Hermkens wants to get his forklift licence. Morris wants to continue giving back to Harvest.
"We owe them a big thank you," said Hermkens. "Everything is really great."
Tune in to your favourite CBC Manitoba shows today for Harvesting Hope, a day of music, stories and giving in support of Winnipeg Harvest. You can donate to Harvesting Hope online.
Join us for musical performances by local artists and hear inspiring stories to usher in this season of giving. We're broadcasting all day Friday on CBC Radio One 89.3 FM / 990 AM and on CBC News: Winnipeg on CBC Television.