Internet Meet Allan

At the beginning of this year, I met someone who quietly, profoundly changed our lives.

I was wandering around Canmore while Matt was at work, and I sat down inside the Civic Centre for a work call. A man in a big red puffy jacket walked by, smiled, and said hello. I could tell he was likely unhoused, which struck me as uncommon in Canmore. A few hours later, I ran into him again at JK Bakery. I was picking up donuts for Matt and felt a pull to buy one for this man too. When the staff gave me the box of three, I hesitated, I didn’t want to just hand him something. I wanted to connect.

Back at Switching Gear, I mentioned the man in the red coat. Matt said, “That’s Allan. He was just here to sell a tent, he’s in a tough spot.” Something told me I needed to go back. And to my delight, Allan was still there, sitting outside with a coffee and a smoke. I offered him the donut, and his whole face lit up. That little box of sweetness sparked a meaningful conversation.

Allan told me about his life, his time in Canmore, how he ended up without housing, how he spent days ducking in and out of shops to stay warm, and nights at the Scout Hall emergency shelter. You could tell he was a kind soul. He saw that in me too. I left that day knowing I had made a new friend. I thought that would be the end of it. But it wasn’t.

A few weeks later, during a brutal cold snap (-25°C and holding), Matt messaged me from work. Allan had stopped by, storing his cancer medication at the shop because he had nowhere else to put it. Diagnosed last year with sarcoma cancer, he had undergone surgery, radiation, and was still on treatment. Matt watched Allan sorting through pills on the floor and said, “I want to bring him home tonight, just for a warm meal, a shower, and a bed. For one night”

Of course, I said yes.

What we thought would be one night turned into something more. Allan immediately felt like part of the family. Even the animals took to him. The next day, Matt brought him back to Canmore, but it didn’t sit right. During the drive, Allan asked Matt if someone could find a place in Cochrane with the amount he received monthly through AHS. And so began the housing search.

At first, we helped him move into a place nearby, but after two weeks, it wasn’t the right fit. On March 9th, Allan came back to live with us and he’s been here ever since. We’ve been supporting Allan with medical appointments, daily living needs, groceries, and applying for long-term housing. He deserves a space of his own one filled with dignity, warmth, and the kind of peace he hasn’t had in a long time.

Allan has an incredible story. He left home at 15 and has traveled all over the country. He’s lived boldly, on his own terms, and he’s faced more than most ever will. But in this economy, kindness and courage don’t always pay the bills. Sometimes even the strongest people just need a little help. That’s where we came in.

This experience hasn’t always been easy there have been real challenge, but it’s also been filled with love, perspective, and growth. We opened our home to a stranger, and gained a family member in return.

If you know me, you know this isn’t out of character in the slightest. We care deeply about Allan, and while we’ll continue to do all we can, we’d love your support too. With his permission, I’ve created a small fundraiser to help Allan build an emergency fund and eventually furnish his own space when he moves into long-term housing.

If our story touched you, and you have a few dollars to spare, please consider donating. Allan is one of the kindest souls you’ll ever meet, always smiling, always grateful, despite everything he’s been through.

Thank you for reading. Thank you for caring.