'That tiny bit of hope, it goes a long way': Peer support program aims to help Lethbridge's most vulnerable
Melissa Many Fingers-Healy and Cody Fox have spent a large portion of their lives struggling with addiction.
They've both spent time living on the streets while struggling with alcohol and drugs.
Many Fingers-Healy said that at one point, she was certain she wasn't going to make it.
"I didn't think I'd live to see five years, I didn't even think I'd live to see another year," she told CTV.
"My family told me that they did, at one point, get themselves ready for my passing because they thought I was going to die on the streets."
Fox said there were times where he was ready to give up altogether, especially following the deaths of his father, brother and cousin.
"I could've gave up. I could've said what's the point of me not being here too, you know?"
Fortunately, thanks to Alvin Mills, founder of the Kii Maa Pii Pii Tsin Renewal and Healing Centre, they were able to get the help they needed through the Kainai Wellness and Detox Centre.
According to Mills, Kii maa pii pii tsin is a Blackfoot word that he holds very dear to his heart.
"When you translate it, it means kindness to others, caring for others," said Mills.
"Kii maa pii pii tsin is a way of life for the Blackfoot people."
Mills has been helping people get clean and off the streets for years and doesn't plan on stopping anytime soon.
"It's always been our mandate to support and advocate for the at-risk and vulnerable population here in Lethbridge."
PEER SUPPORT
Now that they're clean, Fox and Many Fingers-Healy are helping Mills in the fight against drugs and homelessness by becoming peer support workers themselves.
Alvin Mills, Melissa Many Fingers-Healy, Cody Fox
They believe that if they can come back from where they were, anybody can.
"I'm thankful and grateful to be able to tell my story," said Fox.
"I'm hoping people will be able to realize that you can put that bottle down, put that pill down, put that pipe down. There's a life out there and you don't have to do that."
They also believe that the biggest way to get through to those struggling is by offering them just a little bit of hope.
"I'm just trying to give people hope because that's that one thing that everybody lacks, is that tiny bit of hope," said Many Fingers-Healy.
"That tiny bit of hope, it goes a long way. It really does."
Mills, his amazing peer support mentors and others with the Kii Maa Pii Pii Tsin Renewal and Healing Centre will be out most weekends handing out food and drink while spreading their messages of hope, determination and perseverance to those in need.
When asked, Mills said he couldn't have gotten two more inspiring people to help him help others.
"What they went through, you can't learn that," he said.
"You can't get a degree from what they went through. Their degree is from life itself."
To find out how you can help Mills and his peer support program, you can contact the Blackfoot Lodge in Lethbridge.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING King Charles' cancer treatment progressing well, says Buckingham Palace
King Charles III’s doctors are 'sufficiently pleased' with his cancer treatment and he is expected to return to public-facing duties, Buckingham Palace announced on Friday.
BREAKING Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
'Unacceptable': Trudeau reacts after AFN chief says headdress taken from plane cabin
After the Assembly of First Nations' national chief said her headdress was taken from an airplane cabin this week, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called the incident 'unacceptable' and a 'mistake' on the part of Air Canada.
DEVELOPING Bird flu outbreaks: WHO weighs in on public health risk
The current overall public health risk posed by the H5N1 bird flu virus is low, the World Health Organization said on Friday, but urged countries to stay alert for cases of animal-to-human transmission.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
Regina police officer injured after being accidentally shot by fellow officer's gun
An investigation is underway after a Regina police officer was accidentally shot by a fellow officer’s gun during the search of a house early Friday morning.
From faulty kids' cribs to flammable kids' bathrobes, here are the recalls of the week
Health Canada issued recalls for various items this week, including kids’ bathrobes, cribs and henna cones.
Taylor Swift dons Montreal designer's dress in 'Fortnight' video
A pair of Montreal designers' work has now been viewed over 41 million times. Taylor Swift dons a Victorian throwback black gown in her latest music video, 'Fortnight', designed by UNTTLD due Simon Belanger and Jose Manuel Saint-Jacques.
Island near Mull of Kintyre for sale for US$3.1 million
An idyllic 453-acre private island is up for sale off the west coast of Scotland and it comes with sandy beaches, puffins galore, seven houses, a pub, a helipad and a flock of black-faced sheep.