N.B. couple overcomes homelessness, addiction after staying at shelter
They’ve gone from a life on the streets of Moncton to cleaning them up.
Mark Blackburn and Korlaia Paul have overcome homelessness, achieved sobriety, and now have affordable housing and full-time jobs.
Blackburn struggled for roughly twenty years.
Addicted to crack cocaine, he often stayed in the city’s abandoned buildings.
“I had no insight into the future. All I thought about was drugs,” said Blackburn. “I was in despair every day. I thought there was no way out.”
Paul’s problems started in high school.
Eventually she graduated from alcohol and speed to crack cocaine.
“As soon as I put my lips to that pipe, that was it,” said Paul. “It got to the point where I burnt so many bridges I lost connection with my children and my family. Me and my siblings, we’ve had a very close relationship, and I let the addiction get a hold of me.”
The couple have been sober for almost two years and work for Downtown Moncton Centre-Ville’s Enviro-Team.
They’re part of a downtown beautification team that cleans sidewalks, parking garages, areas around shelters and any places that are frequented overnight.
They also pick up garbage and needles left behind.
“For me it’s rewarding because I get to talk to people. I get to help people out, but at the same time it’s heartbreaking to see homelessness, where I’ve been homeless, where I’ve been in addiction,” said Blackburn.
Both credit the staff at the Harvest House shelter on High Street with helping them get clean and constantly being reminded they weren’t failures.
Harvest House Executive Director Marc Belliveau said the pair have had an amazing journey.
“It really shows that if you don’t lose hope, you can change your life,” said Belliveau.
“They took steps on their own to look at sobriety, to look at trying to find employment, trying to find housing and be able to go through the steps that a lot of people would like to do, but haven’t had the courage or the ability to do yet.”
Patrick Richard, the executive director of Downtown Moncton Centre-Ville, said it wasn’t their intention to always hire from Harvest House, but it just so happened that they were partnering with them and they were looking for positions and Paul and Blackburn were looking for work.
“They’ve been great ever since. They do an amazing job,” said Richard. “They’ve gone from sleeping rough, sleeping at the Harvest House in the shelter, being dependent on social assistance, things like that. They’re completely independent at this point.”
Having similar backgrounds brings the couple closer.
“We both went through the same things. Both despair, both hopelessness. Now we can support each other and look back and say, ‘Hey, we beat this,’” said Blackburn.
Paul doesn’t want to lose what she has and said Blackburn has helped her stay sober.
“If I find a pipe, it’s hard. It does get hard, but at the same time I’m like, ‘Well, I wouldn’t have him. I wouldn’t have my job. I wouldn’t have affordable housing,’” said Paul.
They have a message for those who haven’t found their way yet.
“It’s easier said than done, but it’s worth it,” said Paul. “We’ve had so many doors open for us.”
Blackburn doesn’t want people to give up hope.
“There’s life other than addiction and everyone can do it,” said Blackburn. “It’s a struggle and you don’t think there’s a light at the end of the road, but there’s definitely a light at the end of the road.”
“We’re living proof that we can go forward and we can live a regular, normal, rewarding life.”
For more New Brunswick news visit our dedicated provincial page.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Sparks fly as MPs question minister on pension implications of proposed election date change
Sparks flew at a parliamentary committee Thursday as MPs questioned Canada's democratic institutions minister about a widely opposed provision in electoral reform legislation that seeks to delay the next fixed election date by one week.
'There is no electricity': Canadian travellers in Cuba urge caution in hurricane's wake
Cuba's power grid was knocked out by Hurricane Rafael, which ripped across the country as a Category 3 storm. In western Cuba, it toppled buildings and pushed 50,000 people to find shelter elsewhere. Cubans were already enduring rolling blackouts due to energy shortages.
Three charged in One Direction singer Liam Payne's death
Three people have been charged in relation to One Direction singer Liam Payne's death in a fall from his Buenos Aires hotel balcony last month, Argentine authorities said on Thursday.
RCMP already 'on high alert' for potential wave of migrants after Trump election
Canada's federal police force has been preparing for months on a contingency plan for a potential massive influx of migrants across the border following Trump's promise of 'mass deportations' of millions of undocumented immigrants in the U.S.
'There was no stopping this baby from coming': Woman gives birth while aboard Newfoundland ferry
A young family from Codroy Valley, N.L., is happy to be on land and resting with their newborn daughter, Miley, after an overwhelming, yet exciting experience at sea.
Volkswagen models recalled for airbag safety precaution
Recall notices have been issued for some Volkswagen models from 2006 to 2019 for airbag safety issues.
Canmore wildlife and landscape defender Karsten Heuer dies peacefully at 56
Canmore conservationist Karsten Heuer, who was a biologist, park ranger, author and activist, has died.
America votes: How celebrities are reacting to Trump's decisive victory
Celebrities from Hulk Hogan to Ariana Grande are sharing their reactions to the U.S. election, which will see Donald Trump return to the White House.
3 Winnipeg police officers charged with breach of trust, theft
Three members of the Winnipeg Police Service have been charged with breach of trust, obstruction of justice and theft following a lengthy investigation