It gives me great pleasure to take on the position of General Director at Better Life Integration & Support Society.
Over the coming months, I’ll be posting a “Thought of the Week” about the many different parts that go into helping men and women who are coming out of correctional facilities to experience a better life.
But for today, I want to focus on one point:
A better life is possible for each of us.
I haven’t experienced the extreme challenges of being incarcerated and the many obstacles to experiencing a better life upon release. But I do know firsthand that life is messy and full of challenges that often seem overwhelming—even insurmountable.
To share some of my own story, my parents were divorced when I was a child, and I was raised by single mom. My dad’s second wife suffered debilitating mental illness and committed suicide at a very young age. I developed a deep mistrust of people—even the very people I should have been able to trust.
I preferred to be around animals because I believed they wouldn’t let me down, and though my teenage years were filled with turbulence, I worked toward a future in Veterinary Medicine. However, I continued to experience significant pain, especially when a girlfriend proved to be unfaithful. My mistrust of people was again reinforced.
Though I was pursuing my dream, I felt like I carried the weight of the world on my shoulders. I would often imagine the worst case scenarios and had the crushing sense that ultimately I alone was responsible for experiencing a better life.
What became a game changer for me was an encounter with God.
Faith in God provided traction and direction in my life in so many different areas. The stability that came from my relationship with God and a community of faith began to develop and reinforce my ability to trust in people and experience meaningful and healthy relationships.
My experience, even though it may be radically different that yours, gives me the confidence to offer you the hope that faith and a personal connection with a faith community provides.
At Better Life, we understand our role as that of a facilitator.
Our Vision is that every individual who wishes to be in a faith-based mentorship relationship would have access to it.
If that vision resonates with you, please get in touch to discuss volunteer opportunities via info@betterlifecanada.org or 778-807-6520, or consider making a donation to support our work.
Please also don’t hesitate to reach out to us if our support can be of value to you, and please stay tuned. I’ll be posting a recurring blog series digging into how faith and a relationship with a faith community really is a game changer for a better life.
Adam Wiggins
General Director
Better Life Integration & Support Society 
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