For three years, Luke Grenier Corbeil lived on the streets of Hope and survived off the kindness of locals as he battled with addiction.
His mother, France Grenier, lived more than 4,000 kilometres away in Quebec and was often left in the dark about where her son was or how he was doing.
While she constantly worried about her son, a photo posted to a Hope community Facebook page sent her into a full-blown panic.
Corbeil had a devoted blue-eyed dog by his side throughout his struggle, so when Grenier saw a photo of the dog on the street without Corbeil in sight, she feared the worst.
“I contacted many of the people who had commented on that post and eventually connected with someone who knew him and went looking for him,” said Grenier.
“From that moment on, an incredible woman from Hope and I began a journey to help save my son.”
Being forced to watch from afar as her son struggled to get the help he needed was one of the most heartbreaking experiences she’s ever had, but the right people in the Fraser Valley eventually found and supported Corbeil.
“Throughout those difficult years, the people of Hope showed him kindness, compassion, and dignity,” said Grenier.
“Community members, outreach workers, health-care professionals, volunteers, and recovery support teams continued to see the person behind his struggles and never gave up on him.”
As part of his recovery journey, Corbeil was admitted to Kinghaven Treatment Centre in Abbotsford and received help from individuals with the Integrated Homelessness Action Response Team and the Rapid Access to Addiction Care Clinic.
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The mother and son had a long-awaited and emotional reunion in the Fraser Valley earlier this spring.
“I promised him that the day he walked out of rehabilitation, I would be there waiting for him, and I was,” said Grenier.
“But it wasn’t just me – there was an entire team of people who believed in him.”
After Grenier was reunited with her son, she was able to meet several of the people in Hope who had a direct hand in helping Corbeil get back on his feet.
“Walking through the streets felt surreal,” she said.
“I knew every corner and every place because for years I had followed his journey through the eyes of my angel in Hope.”
Grenier said seeing the shelter where her son has spent many nights during his battle with addiction was particularly emotional.
Envisioning what he must have been going through made her even more proud of her son.
“He survived life on the streets and overcame addiction,” she said.
“He worked incredibly hard to get back on his feet and push through the pain of withdrawal.”
After collecting Corbeil and his dog, the family returned to Quebec, where Grenier said the road to recovery will continue.
Her son was by no means a rare situation, explained Grenier, and she hopes that any other families missing individuals due to addiction can also find relief one day.
“Too often, we hear only the difficult stories surrounding addiction and homelessness,” said Grenier.
“I wanted to share one that highlights compassion, perseverance, and the extraordinary impact a community can have on someone’s life.”