Ryan moved to Vancouver with a goal in mind: to kill himself. He was a homeless youth living under a bridge when he was approached by staff of Coast Mental Health. They were able to link him up with the supports he needed to cope with his mental illness and start a better life.
He now lives at Coast's Pacific Coast Apartments and is studying to become a psychiatric nurse. Martha Perkins visited him at his apartment just before Coast Mental Health hosted the Courage to Come Back awards, which raised $2.2 million to continue its efforts to help people like Ryan live rich and rewarding lives.
Fundraising efforts continue. Coast Mental Health has launched a Fundrazr campaign. Donations can be made here.
Meanwhile, Ryan was one of the directors who won a Real 2 Reel award for their film, Where We Sleep, about homeless youth in Vancouver.
