This PARC Story follows Mickey, a Parkdale resident who found his community, his calling, and his career through PARC. Mickey has lived in Parkdale for nine years, which he knows because that’s when he adopted his cat, Cleo.
From Member to Worker
Mickey first heard about PARC while receiving clinical mental health treatment and discovered we were right down the street. He had walked past members lining up at 1499 Queen Street West many times without knowing what PARC was. His first visit felt like it was meant to be. “When I heard the ‘Rebuilding Lives’ quote that PARC uses all the time, it really [resonated] with me, because I came into PARC right as I was working on that.”
Joining PARC changed how Mickey moves through Parkdale. “It feels like I have tons of friends now. When I walk through Parkdale, people always recognize me, and they stop to say hello.”
When Mickey wanted to get more involved, he connected with Donna Lee, who runs the Member Employment Program. “She sold PARC very well. She said, ‘you’ll be facilitating groups here in no time’…And the next thing you know, I’m taking out the garbage.” He laughs about it now. That pathway is one Mickey now helps other members walk. After building his skills through the employment program, he works at PARC as a Peer Support Worker, supporting members on their own journeys.
“I always look forward to coming in for my shifts. In a world where everyone complains bitterly about their jobs, I’m lucky to have a job that I actually enjoy.” When members ask how they can do the same, his answer is simple. “You get the job by getting involved. You learn what it means to contribute to the community just by showing up.”
Rooted in Community
Mickey traces his commitment to community back to his mom, who he describes as a “hippie.” PARC’s focus on the social conditions behind mental health and homelessness, not just their symptoms. That theory of change gave him the confidence to get more involved in activism. “[PARC is] a safe space where I feel like I can speak honestly about how I’m feeling about what’s going on. If it hadn’t been for PARC, I would have never learned about HAC (Harm Reduction Advocacy Collective), who I organize with now.”
“You need all the exact right conditions for life to flourish. You can’t recover if you don’t have a whole bunch of other needs met. It takes a village…but PARC is like a Swiss Army knife. It has everything you need in one place.”
Photo and quotes shared with consent.
