Mission Services of London Welcomes a New Executive Director

Dear Friends of Mission Services of London,

We are pleased to announce the appointment of Peter Rozeluk as the new Executive Director of Mission Services of London.

For the last seventeen years, Peter has been a Partner at Rozeluk & Company in London, Ontario. Although his career has been within the profit sector, he looks forward to starting his new journey, sharing his different perspectives and transferring his applicable operational and management skills to this non-profit organization, with strengths in organizational development, strategic planning and implementation, community awareness and critical problem solving to mention a few. Peter’s unique abilities and skills from past professions and volunteer work will prove to be tremendous assets to Mission Services of London.

Please join us in welcoming Peter as he begins his new role on August 3, 2010.

Sincerely,

Debra Wiltshire

Board President

Hope Profile - Believe in Yourself

This story was written by a Community Mental Health Programs (CMHP) participant as it was his wish to pass on a message to others who may be in a similar situation. (March 11, 2010)

Hello, my name is Ken C. and I am 32 years of age. On February 28, 2008, I came to London, Ontario from Hamilton. I left there because of a bad drug problem and my ex wouldn't let me see my kids. My drug of choice is crack cocaine and I've been fighting this addiction about 18 years. On top of this I'm diagnosed with post traumatic stress syndrome. When I was a little boy my brother committed suicide and both my parents were alcoholics. At the age of twelve, my addiction exploded out of control and I just couldn't get better. I just didn't want to feel the way I felt. I was depressed and cried all the time. At the age of eighteen, crack got rid of my problems for about five minutes, but that five minutes was the most comforting feeling I had ever felt. I would pay any amount of money or do whatever it took to get that feeling back. If it meant breaking the law, then so be it. So, from 18 to 28, I was doing crack, had bad relationships and drank all time. Finally, I thought it was the end. I was so confused because part of me wanted to die but I had sense enough to think maybe life could get better.

So, I find myself in London and living at the Men's Mission, trying my best to change my life, this had its ups and downs. For me, living at the Mission was hard at times but I must admit it is a great place to get help if a person wants it. I lived there six months. With all the help I got from the staff, I managed to move out into housing. Unfortunately, that didn't last long because I ended up in jail for eleven months. When I got out of jail, I came back to the Men's Mission and was welcomed back. I really appreciate the help I got from the staff. It is really hard to live when you have nothing, but the staff at the Men's Mission showed me I had something, my life! Well, now I am sober from alcohol, (17 months) and do my best to stay away from crack cocaine. I now have a nice apartment and lots of material things but most important I'm happy with myself and care about myself. I never did that before. I am doing things that I never could do before.

So, I would like to thank all the staff at the Men's Mission and in the Resource Centre at CMHP. If there is a message I'm trying to say it is "Just believe in yourself and let people help you because that's O.K."