Friends help Sudbury man find a home after living in an encampment
Glenn Thompson packs his E-bike to make the short trip back to the room he’s renting.
Just a few short weeks ago, he was living in a tent.
After an issue with his landlord in Sudbury, 64-year-old Glenn Thompson moved to an encampment he set up in the woods. For two months his home was a tent. (Photo from video)
"People living rough and homeless can pull out of that rut no matter what, if they have addictions, no matter what," Thompson said.
"They can get the help they need. It’s there. All they have to do is accept it."
After an issue with his landlord in Sudbury, the 64-year-old moved to an encampment he set up in the woods. For two months his home was a tent, but then a medical issue forced him into the hospital for 10 days.
While in the hospital he discovered that his outdoor home had been destroyed. Thompson said the damage was done first by bears, then by other people also living outdoors.
But that’s when new friends in Capreol came to his rescue and helped him get back on his feet, including finding him a room to rent.
It was a kindness he will never forget.
While he was in the hospital, Glenn Thompson discovered that his outdoor home had been destroyed. Thompson said the damage was done first by bears, then by other people also living outdoors. (Photo from video)
While he was in the hospital, Glenn Thompson discovered that his outdoor home had been destroyed. Thompson said the damage was done first by bears, then by other people also living outdoors. (Photo from video)
"I hold on to those memories of -- no matter how big or how small these memories are it’s the people that I can keep my eyes open and picture them and thank them in my heart because of what they’ve given me," Thompson said.
He and some of his Capreol friends will be cleaning up his encampment site and Thompson said he wants others to learn from his experience with homelessness.
"Every one of them deserves what I got – help," he said.
- Download the CTV News app now
- Get local breaking news alerts
- Daily newsletter with the top local stories emailed to your inbox
"The help and the guidance and reassurances, all the things that were made … are available because there’s still stuff going on."
Thompson said despite moving into the woods to die, he now feels repurposed. His new mission is to thrive and survive so he can give back to the community that helped him.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'Canada will be absolutely fine': Justin Trudeau, his ministers and Pierre Poilievre congratulate Donald Trump
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and members of his cabinet congratulated Donald Trump Wednesday morning on his second United States presidential election win, amid questions about how the federal government intends to navigate a second term.
What Donald Trump's election victory could mean for Canada
Following president-elect Donald Trump's decisive election victory, there are sure to be significant knock-on effects for Canada. Here's a look at the different areas in which a second Trump presidency may affect Canadians.
Kamala Harris concedes: Here's what she said in her speech
Democratic Vice-President Kamala Harris conceded the U.S. election to Republican Donald Trump Wednesday afternoon, telling her supporters that her 'heart is full.'
Canada orders wind up of TikTok's Canadian business, app access to continue
The federal government is ordering the dissolution of TikTok's Canadian business after a national security review of the Chinese company behind the social media platform, but stopped short of ordering people to stay off the app.
Newfoundland hockey player suspended, banned from local arena after off-ice fight with fan
A combination of a thrown stick and thrown punches have given a senior hockey player in Newfoundland a three-game suspension and an indefinite ban from one of his league's six arenas.
Controversial Australian Olympic breakdancer 'Raygun' retires from competition
Australian breaker Rachael Gunn has told a Sydney radio station that she plans to retire from competition just three months after her unconventional routine at the Paris Olympics led to her being ridiculed and spawned conspiracy theories about how she qualified for the Games.
Sleepy during the day? You may be at higher risk for a pre-dementia syndrome, study finds
If you find yourself sleepy during your daily activities in your older age, you may need to consider it more than an inconvenience — since the fatigue may indicate you’re at higher risk for developing a condition that can lead to dementia, a new study has found.
Kamala Harris made a historic dash for the White House. Here's why she fell short.
"Sometimes the fight takes a while. That doesn't mean we won't win," U.S. Vice-President Kamala Harris said on Wednesday in her concession speech.
Who won the popular vote? U.S. election vote totals from the past 40 years
Donald Trump won the U.S. presidency on Tuesday, and as of Wednesday morning, was also ahead in the popular vote. Historically, though, the candidate with the most votes hasn’t always won the contest.