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The power of resilience and a hand up
Isaac’s journey is one of remarkable resilience and the strength that comes from reaching out, and receiving, a helping hand.
For 17 years, Isaac lived a double life. To those around him, he appeared to be functioning well – working, showing up, being part of his community. But behind closed doors, he and his partner were caught in the grip of addiction. Methamphetamine had slowly taken hold of their lives, and as time passed, everything began to unravel.
Eventually, things reached a breaking point. After experiencing a drug-induced psychosis, Isaac lost touch with reality which resulted in a horrific car accident – one that could have claimed multiple lives. Miraculously, no one else was injured. For Isaac, it was a rock-bottom moment. Something had to change. For himself. For his four children.
With the support of his sister and her family, Isaac entered a long-term residential rehabilitation program. He also made the difficult but necessary decision to leave an abusive relationship. Just days into the program, he received a devastating call – his children’s mother had attempted to take her own life and abandoned their youngest child at a set of traffic lights. The children were taken into care and separated under a time-limited order.
Isaac was faced with an impossible choice. Still early in his recovery, he knew he couldn’t care for his children until he could care for himself. He chose to stay in rehab – knowing that the long-term outcome for his children depended on him truly getting better.
It wasn’t easy. The children endured distressing experiences in care, including exposure to violence, trauma, and neglect. But Isaac used that pain as fuel for his recovery. He threw himself into the program, committed to doing everything necessary to rebuild his life. He worked through parenting programs, therapy, regular drug testing, and personal development – not just to satisfy requirements, but because he wanted to be the best version of himself.
Proving he had changed wasn’t simple. Bias and bureaucracy stood in the way, and the constant turnover of case managers made progress feel painfully slow. But Isaac stayed the course. He held on, even when the system made him feel invisible.
Then, a traumatic incident involving his children in care became a turning point. The process to reunite them sped up, and Isaac was finally able to welcome his children back into his life. It had been a long road, eighteen months of unrelenting determination.
Today, Isaac is a full-time sole parent. He lives with three of his children in a stable, loving home. His eldest has already moved out and started a life of his own. Though their mother remains absent, Isaac’s children now have what they always deserved: safety, love, and someone who shows up for them, day in and day out.
Throughout his journey, Isaac discovered Foodbank. What began as a visit to get food became something much more – a source of hope, stability, and support. He’s been visiting Foodbank Peel for years and credits the team, particularly Megan and Steve, with helping him stay afloat. With most of his income going toward rent, the food relief allows him to care for his family with dignity.
Although he stepped away from his career as a chef to care for his children, Isaac is now eager to return to work in logistics or the cheffing world, both fields he knows well. The employment gap on his résumé poses a challenge, but he remains optimistic. He’s ready to be part of a team again. Ready to contribute.
With complete positivity and contagious enthusiasm Isaac is looking forward to a bright future, “My children now have a stable loving home and are healthy. I have an amazing, caring new partner. Life is actually pretty grand. The future is looking awesome.”
What stands out most about Isaac isn’t just how far he’s come – but how deeply he believes in the possibility of change. He wants others who are struggling to know that they are not alone. That the road may be hard, but there is a way forward.
“You’ve got to put in the work,” he says. “Stay on the path, no matter how rough it gets. Don’t be afraid to reach out for help. It might just change your life.”