Showing Up and Slowing Down: Radha's Story

Radha* has lived in East Vancouver for most of her life. When she was in high school, her family relocated to Surrey where she struggled to find a sense of community and safety in her neighbourhood. Her home life lacked safety and security as well, so when her grandma passed away, she was left without a strong parental figure. Radha moved back to East Vancouver and began partying excessively to cope with her unresolved trauma. Eventually, she joined a recovery program and has been substance-free since October 2023. Radha shares, “I feel like my life completely took a 180 as soon as I just got help.”       

Just days after completing her recovery program, at the recommendation of a friend, Radha came to MP and signed up for an information session. With the tools and skills she gained through a number of workshops run by our programs team along with working in the community, Radha learned to set boundaries and advocate for herself with the support of MP and her coach. She has enjoyed making connections with other associates and shares, “It’s the community that’s fostered here that I appreciate the most.” In addition, walking her routes and cleaning the streets often feels like a meditation for Radha, which has helped her learn how to “slow down and really embody turtle energy.”

Radha found the wraparound services at MP to be very helpful. She has visited the community food pantry, and also participated in our mock interview workshop and, despite feeling resistant at first, she is very thankful that she did. The workshop helped her rediscover interviewing skills she thought she had lost and receive feedback on areas to improve. Perhaps the most supportive resource for Radha has been her coaching sessions. As her coach has experience in substance use recovery, they have helped her set achievable goals while still prioritizing her well-being. Her coaching sessions also often take place during a walk around the park, where she can be in nature and feel grounded while talking through her goals and challenges. 

One of Radha’s goals was to join MP Neighbours, but while she felt drawn to give back and help her community, she experienced burnout in this role. Despite this challenge, when she graduated from the Employment Readiness Program, Radha pursued alternative options and is now working one of our Business Improvement Area (BIA) routes. In this role, she has a designated route that she’s responsible for and works independently on. Radha shares, “Not every day is easy but I’m just so grateful that at least I show up for myself. I love myself enough to show up.”

Radha has made great progress towards her goals at MP, even though she feels her time here is slipping by quickly. She also recently attended our Women’s Summit in February giving her a chance to work on her personal and professional growth and she has been an advocate to others by sharing her story. She even appeared on CBC to discuss a cleaning grant that MP received from the City of Vancouver! 

Overall, Radha’s time here has provided her with the gentle shift back to work that she needed. She shares, “I wish every workplace could be like this.” She encourages others interested in the program to give it a shot, “it may be the best workplace energy-wise you ever work at.” Most of all, though, Radha feels closer to finding her place in the world, sharing “Now I can say I have a will to live and to give back. I want to be here. I’m gaining more clarity about what my purpose is every day.”

*The program participant's name has been changed.