Homeless to a job site: A Prince Albert success story

By Nigel Maxwell

When asked how it feels to be working again, a smile quickly fills Randy Boivin’s face.

Up until recently, the 59-year-old spent his days at Prince Albert’s Cornerstone shopping area. It was the location’s property manager who told him to make a sign letting people know he was looking for work.

READ MORE:

• Pleasant Hill dental clinic struggling amid calls for more resources to help homeless
• Saskatoon to participate in national homeless count
• Homeless encampments on 20th Street continue to cause safety concerns

As if fate stepped in, the owner of a local construction company saw the sign, and promptly gave Boivin a job.

“I love it. It’s great. I really enjoy it,” Boivin told paNOW on Monday while working at a job site in the Lakeland area.

(Nigel Maxwell/paNOW Staff)

When asked how he came to be in Prince Albert, the self-taught software developer explained that he made the move from North Bay, Ontario about two months ago.

“I came here because it’s beautiful. It’s a beautiful city,” he said noting he lived in Saskatchewan many years ago and always felt a desire to return.

For now, Boivin spends his nights at the Stepping Stones shelter and gets picked up each morning to come to work.

Matthew Franc, owner of AZLS construction, saw a picture of Boivin on social media, and immediately tried to think about the last time he saw someone looking for work.

“I had a gut feeling and I said ‘This guy wants to work and needs help,’” he said, noting his company, like others in the construction industry, has an abundance of jobs but rarely has enough workers.

Soon after, Franc sent one of his workers over to the Cornerstone area to pick up Boivin.

“He’s actually a really nice, polite man, and so I think we are gonna continue putting him to work and help him find a place to stay,” Franc said.

Boivin’s tasks at work include hauling tin, holding stuff up and just helping keep the job sites clean.

“He’s been very useful, and he wants to learn,” Franc said.

Asked about possibly providing similar opportunities to other homeless people, Franc did not rule it out, reiterating that he’s got lots of work and his crew is expanding.