Around this time last year, Virgil Frencheater was drinking heavily while scraping out an existence on the streets in Red Deer.
His days were spent with his street family hanging out, scoring a decent meal and finding a warm and safe place to sleep for the night.
Little has changed in the last 12 months — but the changes are significant.
The 45-year-old has curbed his drinking, secured three pieces of identification and began painting and drawing.
“I’m doing odd jobs now,” said Frencheater.
“Not really moving on much but at least I am working.”
Frencheater says he’s doing pretty much the same things as last year but the main difference is that he is thinking about his future.
The identification will allow Frencheater to open a bank account and get his own place.
While he does spend time at Safe Harbour, Frencheater is considering finding a home come winter.
“I still want to get off the streets but because of my addictions, it makes it a little bit harder,” said Frencheater.
“Like I said last year — that’s what makes it harder to get off the streets.”
A few weeks ago, Frencheater was picked to paint a mural on one of the buildings near Turning Point at the south end of Little Gaetz Avenue.
Frencheater designed a picture of an eagle with four feathers.
He has not been to detox lately but he is staying sober to get the job done.
“All I got right now is the artwork that I do,” said Frencheater. “It’s mostly what I survive on these days. It gives me that certain spiritual opening in my life. It just does something for me.”
Frencheater says painting the mural gives him pride because people believe in him. And it helps to rebuild his name in the community.
Years ago, Frencheater was a popular grass dancer in Central Alberta.
His legs aren’t what they used to be so he said, “like Wayne Gretzky I retired a champion.”
His two children were also living on the street in Red Deer last year.
They have since left the streets and returned to homes in Rocky Mountain House. Frencheater said he is happy that his children have left his hard life behind.
“One of my dreams, if I ever win the lottery, is to get some land and live by the mountains or the creek and build a little house and buy a few horses,” he said. “Just live off the land.”
On Oct. 16, 2012, 279 people were considered homeless, according to Red Deer’s Point in Time Homeless Count. Of the tally, 37 per cent were under the age of 25; 31 per cent were female; and 44 per cent self-reported as aboriginal.
crhyno@www.reddeeradvocate.com