What if the people who lived through homelessness were the ones in charge of solving it?
In this powerful podcast episode, we speak with Jack Robinson and Dolores Cook of Thompson, Manitoba — two remarkable individuals who survived homelessness and addiction and are now decision-makers on Thompson’s Lived Experience Circle. Also joining the conversation is Andrea Hatley, the city’s Community Entity Advisor, who helped build the groundbreaking Thompson Model from the ground up.
In a sector where lived experience is too often reduced to tokenism, Thompson is doing something different. Here, people who have lived it are leading it — shaping policies, making funding decisions, and changing lives. It’s a model every community should be watching closely.
This episode is about recovery, real leadership, and the power of giving decision-making authority to the people closest to the problem. Don't miss it
Special thanks to the Canadian Alliance and Homelessness.
00:00 – Homelessness, addiction, “Thompson model” teaser
01:11 – Host intro: lived experience leads, guests & goals
02:20 – What is the Lived Experience Circle (governance vs. “committee”)
03:10 – Jack Robinson introduction (Indigenous elder, counselor, 87)
04:06 – Jack’s addiction, arrest, losing job, home & marriage
06:07 – Treatment → fear of relapse; nowhere to go after detox
07:59 – Healing in the bush: survival, sobriety, rebuilding life
09:11 – Returning to culture & traditional medicines; staying sober
11:12 – Ready to serve: counseling & cultural teaching begin
12:07 – Support Invisible People (donations appeal)
13:17 – Today’s crisis: toxic drug supply, youth overdose, housing after treatment
15:23 – Dolores Cook intro: anxiety, honesty, recovery journey
16:23 – Losing kids → homelessness in Thompson
17:58 – Jail → AFM treatment → back outside in the cold
18:59 – Shelter help: return to AFM, hotel bridge to housing
19:59 – Seven years sober: stable housing & multiple jobs
20:38 – How the Thompson model started (recruiting lived experience)
22:48 – From shadow input to real decision-making power
23:58 – Building the 5-year community plan (funding priorities)
24:59 – Governance design: judge/jury analogy; providers as non-voting experts
25:55 – Practical supports: coordinator, laptops, meals, honoraria
26:18 – Beyond tokenism: why support structures matter
27:06 – Jack on rising homelessness & purpose at 87
27:41 – Dolores on having a voice & belonging
28:01 – Replicating the model: four pillars & “just do it”
28:46 – Getting buy-in: city support & outside validation (CAEH)
29:56 – Closing: empower lived experience—move from tokenism to impact
30:41 – Thanks & outro
More:
Can We End Homelessness? Hennepin County Shows How • Can We End Homelessness? Hennepin County S...
From a Tent to a Home: No Longer Homeless • From a Tent to a Home: No Longer Homeless
This City Cut Homelessness by 30%—Here’s How • This City Cut Homelessness by 30%—Here’s How
Executive producer: Mark Horvath
Producer/editor/cinematographer: Alex Gasaway / alexgasaway
Associate producer: Erin McGinnis
Created by: Alex Gasaway and Erin McGinnis
YouTube Podcast https://shorturl.at/XciIu
Apple Podcast https://apple.co/4cckQ86
Spotify https://spoti.fi/3XyM98c
==================================
Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/invisiblepe...
Invisible People’s website: http://invisiblepeople.tv
Support Invisible People: https://invisiblepeople.tv/donate
Sign up for our newsletter: https://invisiblepeople.tv/email
Invisible People’s Social Media:
/ invisiblepeople
/ invisiblepeople
/ invisiblepeople
/ invisiblepeopletv
/ invisiblepeopletv
About Invisible People
Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.
Информация по комментариям в разработке