Sudburian says finding his way out of poverty was made possible with community help

A Sudbury father or four who's lived on black coffee so his children could have enough food to eat is encouraging others to not give up on finding their way out of poverty.

Hugh Jeanveauis one of the first participants of a health unit-run program called Circles, where people in poverty are matched up with others for help and support. Now heis a volunteer with Circles, helping others.

"Don't give up, don't give up. Reach out to any resources out there in the community," Jeanveau told Morning North CBChost Markus Schwabe during CBC Sudbury's annual foodbankfundraising broadcast, Sounds of the Season.

"I was depressed. I had major anxiety issues, low self-esteem. [It would] be months before I would leave the house. I wason ODSP. And then my son passed away. And so I just went into a downward spiral."

Jeanveausays there were many days when food was scarce.

"I would have to go to the food bank or infant food bank and have totry and get food for my kids.I tried to shield them from that as much as possible. And I think we did a good job," he recalled.

"There was plenty of nights [where I was] up all night. I would drink tons of coffee, just to try to have energy, since I wasn't eating very much.Yeah, it was it was pretty bad back then."

Jeanveau says he's grateful the food bank was there.

"They're very helpful, gave a really good quantity of food and stuff. It's always been a good experience going to the food bank.I really don't know what I would have done."

When he came across the program called "Circles" onFacebook, he was intrigued.

He signed up with a family member and learnedabout budgeting and coming upwith a plan to find work.

"Once I was partnered with a couple of allies, my life changed so much. I eventually started working forNorthern Initiative for Social Action's regional warm line. So we're almost off ODSP now.Things have gone really, really well."

He encourages others struggling with chronic poverty to check out the program, which is led by Public Health Sudbury and Districts.

"I guarantee your life will change."