Surinderjeet’s life in Canada began with promise. He arrived from India full of dreams, worked hard to provide for his family, and raised his children in a home filled with love—but despite his best efforts, he was consumed by his alcoholism. “I lost everything—my home, my family. I was walking around with no place to go” he says, his voice heavy with regret. “I felt invisible.” For years, he fought against the weight of his mistakes, unsure if he would ever find a way out.

In 2019 I met a young man named Shawn at SUMS Place which is in the heart of North Surrey on King George Blvd and 108 Ave in Surrey. SUMS Place is a low barrier shelter which prides itself in taking in anyone from the streets or other organizations. You could tell Shawn was out of place when he came through the doors and that life had just thrown him a curve ball which made him become with out a home.

If you ever find yourself around 106 and King George, you might overhear people talking about "Chill Zone"? It's not just any ordinary hangout spot—it's our very own drop-in center where folks can kick back, relax, and just chill. And guess what? It's named after Cove Healthy Living (CHL), the heartbeat of our community.

As I walked into work that day, the familiar sights and sounds of Cove Healthy Living greeted me: the laughter of friends sharing stories, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee wafting through the air, and the comforting hum of conversation filling the room. But amidst the bustling energy of our CHILL ZONE, something caught my eye—a figure sitting alone on the stairs, his shoulders slumped with the weight of unseen burdens.