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For Brent, moving once looked like a way to start over. Before Ottawa, there was Guelph, Calgary, and a small town near Thunder Bay. But every move eventually led him back to the same truth: he could not outrun addiction.
“I kept trying to escape it by moving and moving and moving,” Brent said. “And wherever I went, my addiction followed me.”
After seven years in Ottawa, addiction had led Brent into more trouble, including crime and jail. It was there that his lawyer told him about Harvest House and asked if he wanted a second chance.
“I was at rock bottom,” Brent said. “If I had just gotten out of jail and not gone to Harvest House, I would have gone back to the same thing, back to the crime, and drugs and alcohol. I just knew there had to be something else.”
Brent came to Harvest House on June 20, 2023, and graduated the following June in 2024. Now in his third year, he has stayed connected to the program and is using his experience to serve the men who are walking through it now.
“So I came to Harvest House, and I just haven’t left,” Brent said.
Life looks different today. Brent has gotten his licence back, completed his schooling and taken on practical responsibilities around the house. He no longer attends classes as a resident; instead, he helps with driving, repairs, yard work and whatever else needs to be done.
“Now it is more like a job, which is helpful because I haven’t had gainful employment in a long time,” Brent said.
That responsibility has brought a new sense of freedom. Brent can go into the community, share his story and, on weekends, take out men who do not have visitors or who need someone to spend time with them.
“It has been really fulfilling,” Brent said.
One of the biggest lessons Brent has learned is to use his time wisely. After years of addiction and broken relationships, he now sees time as something valuable. This summer, he was able to visit his parents for two weeks after nearly 10 years apart.
“I am getting older, and I have regained a lot of relationships,” Brent said. “My biggest thing is to stop wasting time and use my time wisely while I am here at Harvest House.”
Recovery has also meant learning humility. Brent says he once believed he was always right and did not want to take advice from anyone. At Harvest House, he has learned to listen to others, accept correction and trust people who have walked the road before him.
“Admit when you are wrong, that is a big thing,” Brent said. “I used to think that I knew better.”
Honesty has helped Brent grow, even when the truth has been uncomfortable. He says it has sometimes gotten him into trouble, but it has also allowed people to correct the way he thinks and help him change.
“I will tell you the truth, but you might not like it,” Brent said. “Being honest is the best thing you can do.”
Faith has become a foundation for Brent’s recovery. At Harvest House, he was baptized and began following Jesus. He says faith helped him trust the process when he was tired of addiction, tired of alcohol and drugs, and tired of damaging relationships.
“I had to put all my faith into Harvest House, that we were going to keep doing the right thing,” Brent said. “Faith has been a huge part of my recovery.”
For someone struggling with faith, Brent’s advice is simple: give it a chance. He encourages people to take small steps every day, read the Bible and look for signs of God’s presence.
“There are signs every day that God is in your life,” Brent said.
His favourite Scripture reflects the trust that has shaped his recovery: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” — Proverbs 3:5-6
What brings Brent hope is hearing the testimonies of men who came before him. Their stories remind him that people can come from dark places, stay close to the program and build a different life.
For anyone considering Harvest House, Brent is honest that the process is difficult. It takes commitment, humility and patience. But for those who want a better life, he believes the work is worth it.
“You have to jump in with both feet here,” Brent said. “You might not like the process, but you have to trust the process. That is where the faith comes in.”
Today, Brent’s story is no longer defined by running from place to place. It is defined by honesty, service, faith and the willingness to stay, listen and rebuild one step at a time.