Growing up in Assiniboia, Veronica’s early years were marked by turbulence that led her to Regina and into the foster care system at just 13, and by 16 she was living as a section 10 youth.  For much of the past 15 years, the streets were her home – a place of both struggle and survival.  This winter, for the first time in a decade, she has a place to call home, a place where warmth and stability replace the cold uncertainty she has known for so long.  “Being housed feels too good to be true,” she says, her words carrying both disbelief and deep gratitude.  Despite the challenges of addiction and mental health, she finds joy in simple things – swimming, biking, drawing, and helping to make others smile.  Volunteering at the YWCA Encore store, she brings creativity and kindness to everything she does, from upcycling old clothes, to organizing and selecting items with care.  With hope in her heart, she dreams of continuing her education and finding meaningful work – a future built not just on survival, but on possibility and purpose.