Jake & Shelley’s Story
This mother-son duo can often be found together chatting and laughing with the staff and residents at the RAN Interchange. Their laughter comes easily and is somewhat contagious as they find joy in the little things that come their way. When life is hard and loss is great, it can be difficult to remain positive, but Shelley and Jake carry on. They have not had it easy. Fleeing an abusive husband, Shelley and her 3 kids moved around a lot, seeking safety and relief from an intolerable way of life. Raising her children alone for the most part was not easy, but Shelley was determined to give them a better life.
After the sudden death of her second husband (a kind and loving man), the family fell apart. Filled with anger and resentment over the loss of their father figure, the 2 younger siblings left home. Shelley’s health was in decline and she was soon sidelined by a stroke. Forced to leave her 15-year job at Walmart due to her poor health, the mother and son soon found themselves in a financial crisis.Jake’s job as a security guard helped to keep them afloat for a short time, but when Shelley needed fulltime care, Jake was forced to leave his job and become her care-giver. It wasn’t long before they lost their housing and ended up renting at the Travelodge motel for far more than they could afford.To their great relief, BC Housing purchased the Travelodge/IHOP and accepted Shelley and Jake’s application to stay in the new Supportive Housing program that RAN Mission would be operating from the location.
Life has taken on a different feel for these two family members. Jake continues to care for his mother as she navigates her health issues. He has since discovered his own serious health concerns and has the support of RAN staff as he pursues further testing.Jake and Shelley take part in the many programs that are offered at the newly coined ‘Interchange’. Coffee connection, weekly Chapel, Exercise programs, painting and craft projects. They have discovered community, support and relationships that they had never experienced before. ‘This is more of a home and a family than we’ve ever had before’ shares Jake, with a bright smile on his face. ‘Without RAN Mission, we’d be out on the streets for sure.’
The Interchange aims to support individuals helping them to get back on their feet and providing them with affordable housing.A variety of programs and activities are offered to better their physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health, to encourage independent living and to provide other supports to better their health and wellbeing.The interchange is just one of RAN Missions initiatives. Meals services, multiple shelters, supportive housing, low income family housing, residential addiction recovery services. RAN Mission seeks to be light to a community in need.