Oleh’s Story

When Oleh first started working on the railways in the 1970's, the work was difficult and extremely physical. The decent wages and job security offset the dangerous conditions and the grueling hours. Over time, as new machinery was introduced many people lost their jobs.

Oleh and his wife followed the work West, and ended up in Hope, BC. After 43 years of service with the rails, and after a difficult divorce, Oleh was struck down by a stroke. No longer able to work, the small pension that he received was not enough to make ends meet. After spending some time living in a friend’s trailer, and then shuffling around for years to different places, Oleh found the RAN Portal. Having just opened days before, the Portal became home to Oleh, and has remained so ever since.

The Portal (now renamed ReVive) has helped Oleh for several years now, providing him with some basic human needs. Food, shelter, hygiene, dignity, hope. Though the ReVive shelter is not where he would choose to be at this point in his 64-year life, he is thankful to have a place to land.

Regularly applying for housing opportunities, Oleh is often turned down due to his health issues and rough-looking exterior. His is a life that falls between the cracks. Not sick enough to receive adequate funding, but not healthy enough to make it on his own.

And so, for today, for tomorrow, and until Oleh no longer needs our services, RAN Mission will continue to meet him where he’s at. We believe every life is worth helping and we will do what we can to help each person move toward a healthier and happier life.