Healing from addiction has become Christy Winters’ superpower.
The People Powered, Community Strong founder’s history allows her to understand and relate to clients each Saturday in Mission.
“I’m not shy to share my story,” Winters said.
Outside the Diamond Head Motor Inn, the People Powered, Community Strong initiative feeds those in need. The program was initially geared towards feeding Mission’s unhoused population but more low-income seniors have used its services since. The initiative also grew to provide clothing and pet supplies.
Winters hopes to do everything for the clients that she wishes was done for her.
“I’m gonna give that extra love because I needed that extra love,” she said.
Winters hails from Thunder Bay, Ontario and has been in Mission for almost a decade.
Addiction issues have rippled throughout her life. In the past, she lived on the street and spent time in prison.
However, losing a child to an overdose had the biggest impact on her life.
“It’s driving my passion,” she said “I’ve seen how addiction works. I’ve experienced it myself. I’ve come close. I’ve been hospitalized — I’ve come close to losing my life to addiction.”
Winters says her past allows her to recognize anger, frustration and pain from those who come to the People Powered tent on Saturdays.
“Overcoming addiction, overcoming the trauma growing up, – we all have demons and my demons sent me into addiction — but going back and healing — that is my superpower. That’s how I can relate. That’s how I can do what I do,” she said.
Winters started the People Powered, Community Strong initiative with a bowl of soup in 2022. On Christmas, she posted in a local Facebook group searching for turkey carcasses to make soup to feed the unhoused and others in need.
“The next day, my kitchen was full of all this food. So it grew from one pot of soup to donations to tents to tables of warm clothing,” Winters said. “I started receiving all this support from the community.”
People Powered, Community Strong receives donations from Superstore, SaveOn Foods, Mission City Pizza, Cob’s Bread, Meridian Meats and more. Volunteers also began to pop up and the initiative grew.
The number of people served and the number of volunteers varies depending on the day. However, the group always runs out of food.
The volunteer work can be high-stress and some take a break or choose to leave. Moving forward, Winters hopes to circulate volunteers to avoid burnout.
“I have to remember not to push my volunteers so hard,” she said.
Volunteer Linda Hnatiuk learned about the initiative on Facebook. She donated some clothes and Winters asked her to stay.
Hnatiuk has been volunteering for a few months now.
“It just feels good to be able to help,” she said. “[The clients] are all so appreciative and it makes you feel good when they’re telling you how much it means to them that you’re giving them nice clothes, food or sometimes just listening to them.”
Winters hopes People Powered, Community Strong helps to destigmatize homelessness and addiction.
“Let’s see these people as people – as human beings – let’s not be afraid to give them a hug and to talk to them,” Winters said.
In the future, Winters would like to see People Powered, Community Strong expand to other communities. The organization is not a registered non-profit. Winters hopes to register in the future.
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