1. cryofthestreetsWhen Dreams Become Reality | 2016 Edition

2. 2 Cry of the Streets When Dreams Become Reality | 2016 Edition
When Dreams
Become Reality
Letter from the Editors...................................... 3
Open Letter to New Participants...................... 5
The SAS EXIT Program.................................... 6
Anything is Possible......................................... 7
Diving Deep...................................................... 8
Healing Through Structure............................... 9
Dreaming of Giving Back................................ 11
Learning to Parent.......................................... 12
Healing on My Own Time............................... 13
Defining Success............................................ 14
Change Lives.................................................. 15
Table of Contents

3. Cry of the Streets When Dreams Become Reality | 2016 Edition 3
Letter from the Editors
Dear Reader,
The theme of this year’s Cry of the Streets
edition, When Dreams Become Reality, is a
particularly special theme chosen once again
by the Participants themselves. When reading
the words of some of Calgary’s most vulnerable
women, it is clear to see they often come from a
place where dreams don’t exist.
Such a place is one where it is painfully difficult
to fathom the future, let alone one that will
produce hope. The transformation to feeling
safe to dream is evident in their words.
Upon this change, some rediscover dreams that
have been dormant. Others build anew.
Every person we encounter throughout our lives
present opportunities to learn and grow.
We hope you enjoy this select collection of
voices from just a few of the 800+ brave women
that have come through the doors of Servants
Anonymous Society of Calgary since our humble
beginning in 1989.
Time and time again, they prove to us the
miracles in healing. This, the 2016 edition has
been no exception.
Yours in Recovery,
The Editors

4. 4 Cry of the Streets When Dreams Become Reality | 2016 Edition
“I dream about my future
career. I have discovered
many new possibilities
that I never believed were
options for me.”
– KL,
2016 Participant
“I dream about going back
to school. Today is the first
time I see that I have many
options for my future. I am
just at the beginning of
dreaming again.”
– AE,
2016 Participant
“Today I accept myself for
who I am. I am now grateful
for feelings and emotions,
good or bad. I used to take
great measures to avoid
feeling anything.”
– TS,
2016 Grad

5. Cry of the Streets When Dreams Become Reality | 2016 Edition 5
Open Letter to New Participants
– ST, 2002 Grad
Welcome to Servants Anonymous!
I am an addict and a graduate of the SAS program. I write this letter to welcome you to the program
that has changed my life, and to congratulate you for making the choice to be here.
I want let you know that I remember what it was like when I first arrived at SAS. I felt a lot of uncertainty
and fear about making a change in my life. I knew that I needed a change. but I didn’t have any idea
what that might look like.
I also want to let you know that today you’re not alone, if you choose not to be.
My phone number is available to you in the SAS supportive housing if you need to talk. If you have
questions about recovery, questions about SAS, or if you just need an ear, please feel welcome to
call me.
I go to 12-step meetings on a regular basis, and I would be willing to take you for some extra support,
or if you are too nervous to walk in by yourself.
Like I said, you don’t have to be alone today. Today is the first day of the rest of your life – welcome!

6. 6 Cry of the Streets When Dreams Become Reality | 2016 Edition
Recovery Life-Skills
Recovery Life-Skills is a trauma
recovery-oriented program that
ensures women and their children
continue to be safe from exploitation
and violence. Participants are
supported in their journey of recovery
through peer support, life-skills
curriculum, addiction intervention,
case management, trauma counseling
and on-site child-care.
Safe Supported
Housing
The EXIT Program provides
immediate safe supportive
housing to second stage
transitional and independent
housing as Participants
transition in their recovery.
Employment Skills
Independence
Individually tailored combination of
employment and education support, crisis
support, and affordable housing support
all geared to promote independence.
Educational funding opportunities are
available through the SAS Scholarship
Fund to support our Participants and
Alumnae in advancing their future. The
Vitality Employment Program provides
paid work experience essential for
Participants to develop the skills needed
for future job placement.
““I decided to leave home
when I was thirteen. I
survived by sleeping with
men for food, shelter,
alcohol and cocaine. My
body was my survival
mechanism.”
– MP,
2012 Grad
“While initially the structure
of the classroom was
intimidating, I have learned
to find comfort in it. I
have since rediscovered
my enjoyment of playing
sports. I love expressing my
opinions and knowing
they matter.”
– AE,
2016 Participant
“Before SAS, I used to
live my life day to day,
merely surviving. Now,
I’m very focused on and
excited to going back to
school this fall. I’m also
nervous! What I dream
about most is giving
back to youth
and women.”
– TS,
2016 Grad

7. Cry of the Streets When Dreams Become Reality | 2016 Edition 7
Anything is Possible
– MP, 2012 Participant
Idecided to leave home when I was thirteen
because my parents were getting a divorce. I
was already a very troubled kid; I was extremely
angry with my parents, and had had an abortion.
I survived by sleeping with men for food, shelter,
alcohol and cocaine. Through my eyes, I wasn’t
turning tricks. Now I see my choices for what
they were: my body was my survival mechanism.
I had my first of three children at the age of
18. I spent the next fifteen years not turning to
the sex trade for support. At the age of 33, this
quickly changed when my seven year marriage
ended. My then husband left me and my three
children. I quickly returned to old behaviors from
near decades prior. It is still shocking to me how
quickly that can happen.
I spent the next seven years using crack and
being pimped out by a woman who also turned
tricked herself. I believed she has befriended me.
I had no perspective that I was being used by
her. I had convinced myself that it was me who
was using her. The last year of my life working in
the sex trade was the worst. It wasn’t until then
that I explicitly started accepting money for sex.
My first step towards healing from sexual
exploitation was finding recovery from drugs
and alcohol. I started attending meetings and
found myself a sponsor. I told my sponsor about
my history with sexual exploitation. A past SAS
Participant herself, it was she who encouraged
me to reach out to SAS to join the program. She
knew it was the best choice for me.
Today I am married again, and I am very much
enjoying being a grandmother. My life has truly
been reinvented.

8. 8 Cry of the Streets When Dreams Become Reality | 2016 Edition
Diving Deep
– KL, 2016 Participant
At the age of fifteen, someone told me I could
sell my body. The seed had been planted
and for the next five years, I worked the streets
and was addicted to drugs. My worst experience
was being chased in a field to be beaten and
raped.
In the midst of my working in the sex trade,
my sister first told me about SAS because she
herself completed the program. When I became
pregnant, I remembered her words, and followed
in her steps. After completing a detox treatment,
I called SAS.
At SAS, I have to push myself through the
program on a daily basis. That said, it has been
better than I could have possibly expected. I
now know how to handle a number of things
that will help me stay strong in my recovery. I no
longer feel like I am searching for fulfillment in
the wrong places.
Today, my life has hope. I’ve learned a lot
about myself. The SAS Life-Skills classroom
has exposed me to many new activities, such
as yoga, sewing, gardening, science, and even
camping. I have discovered I like to go for walks,
looking at the beauty in the world. I love having
authentic conversations. I enjoy being a busy
mother to my son. I appreciate the newfound
variety in my life. I’ve learned that my life is going
to be something greater than I ever knew was
possible.
I dream about my future career. I have discovered
many new possibilities that I never believed were
options for me. I’m looking forward to taking that
first step with beginning work experience this fall
with SAS.
“I did not discover why I wanted a new
life until I entered the classroom. Life
before SAS was not easy, and entering the
classroom brought new challenges. It has
been difficult to continually take deeper
looks into myself. However, it has been the
only way for me to heal.”

9. Cry of the Streets When Dreams Become Reality | 2016 Edition 9
Healing Through Structure
– AE, 2016 Participant
My past was a long and destructive path of
abusive relationships with pimps. When I
was 17, I was first introduced to stripping and
escorting through my boyfriend at the time,
lured by the promise of a very glamorous life.
Materially, it was. I was blinded by fancy cars,
beautiful clothes, and over-the-top parties.
However, I was abused physically, mentally,
emotionally, and financially. Many times I wanted
to leave, but I was brainwashed into believing I
had nowhere to go. To this day my parents have
no idea how I’ve earned a living over the years.
I always told them I was working in nightclubs.
They’ve even met my pimps, being led to believe
they were my boyfriend at the time.
My first pimp trafficked me from the east coast.
After he turned extremely physically abusive, I finally
found the courage to leave him. From that point on,
I learned to always keep enough money to leave
whichever pimp I was with at the time. However,
working for a new pimp always ended in the same
way: being abused so severely that I would finally
leave, only to repeat the cycle with someone new.
In one instance, my pimp wanted to rent a new
apartment, and wanted me to buy us a very
expensive couch to go with it. I did what I had to do
to make ends meet. I eventually started recruiting
women when my pimp would ask. However, after
a month’s rent and a damage deposit, there was
not enough money left for our new couch. This
upset him to the point where he beat me up so
badly, I didn’t recognize myself in the mirror.
I’ve spent the last seven years of my life in and
out of drug treatment centres. This past year
and a half, I could no longer work as an escort
or stripper because I was constantly sedated,
sleeping my life away.
While in one centre my case worker referred me
to SAS. She told me SAS would be the right
place to help guide me through the steps of
starting my life over. Ending up a junkie on the
street was the vision I always had for myself. I
seemed to know this premonition was looming
over me because I soon reached out to SAS.
At SAS, I feel safe. The week I came to SAS was
during a graduation. It was motivating to see the
results of the program. While initially the structure
of the classroom was intimidating, I have learned
to find comfort in it. I have since rediscovered my
enjoyment of playing sports. I love expressing my
opinions and knowing they matter. It has been
a long time since I’ve had good girlfriends. And
my relationship with my family is improving every
day. I know I have a purpose. There is so much
more to me than selling my body.
Getting up every morning, going to class, and
participating feel like accomplishments, and
they are! Now I see that I have many options for
my future. I am just at the beginning of dreaming
again.

10. 10 Cry of the Streets When Dreams Become Reality | 2016 Edition
Healthy
Families
Program
Cuddle
Care Service
Follow Care
Services
Support
The goal of the program is
to strengthen the parenting
skills and attachment for
women in recovery from
trauma and related concerns,
improving their families’ healthy
functioning; and to support
the successful development
of their children, effectively
ending cycles of abuse,
marginalization, and poverty.
Ultimately the recovery of
sexually exploited women,
reunification of families, and
support for positive parenting
will result in increased social
inclusion, engagement of
women in their communities,
and an opportunity to end
generational cycles of poverty,
abuse, and exploitation.
Cuddle Care Childcare
Service allows Participants to
work in a program of recovery
while knowing their children are
safe. Many who come to SAS
suffered abuse as children,
abuse which affected their
ability to value themselves.
Consequently, it can be difficult
to leave sexual exploitation
and substance abuse when
you don’t think you deserve
any better. However when a
woman has a child there is
motivation to create a different
situation. Because the initial
abuse for the mother often
occurred at the hands of adults
in authority, childcare is a
complex issue. SAS responded
to this issue by creating a
childcare environment where
Participants’ children are cared
for on-site and where teaching
occurs through modeling
and mutual, non-threatening
learning about parenting.
Often, SAS Participants cannot
count on family support, which
many people in society can
count on when life takes an
unexpected turn. Participants
involved with SAS over the
years access SAS services
when life’s challenges become
overwhelming.
The Follow-Care Program offers
relationship-based support and
opportunities to Graduates and
past Participants of the SAS
Programs as they continue
to build healthy lives. SAS
staff, Live-Ins and volunteers
are in regular contact with
approximately 100 past
Participants in any given
month. Follow-Care provides
assistance with recovery issues
and direct support in housing-
related problem solving,
childcare issues, scholarships
and support in making plans
to return to school, and
employment planning. A key
strength of Follow-Care is the
commitment of SAS Alumnae,
who consistently jump in where
needed and when asked.
“I got pregnant when I
was six months clean, and
didn’t know what I was
going to do. SAS taught me
parenting, accountability,
responsibility, selflessness,
and prioritizing.”
– SH,
2015 Grad
“The sisterhood at SAS is
very strong.”
– LL,
2010 Grad
“At the age of 33, my then
husband left me and my
three children. I quickly
returned to old behaviors,
from near decades prior, of
selling my body.”
– MM,
2012 Grad

11. Cry of the Streets When Dreams Become Reality | 2016 Edition 11
Dreaming of Giving Back
– TS, 2016 Grad
Irecently completed my journey with SAS. I am
very proud of myself. I’ve made lifelong friends.
My becoming sober was the first step towards
exiting the sex trade. I initially became sober
because my body could no longer withstand
the abuse. I had a number of health problems.
Mentally, I was very tired of the life I was living.
However, it was difficult for me to maintain
sobriety and stay away from the sex trade
because I was surrounded by it, and had felt I
had nowhere else to go.
I first learned about SAS through a past
Participant. When she told me about her
experiences with sexual exploitation, I could
relate.
I am most proud of myself for setting goals in
the SAS classroom and reaching them. Today I
accept myself for who I am. I am now grateful
for feelings and emotions, good or bad. I used
to take great measures to avoid feeling anything.
The hardest part of recovery has been learning
to trust others and to trust the healing process.
It was initially very difficult for me to open up
and speak up in the classroom. My trust has
improved, however I know I still have a long way
to go.
Many days at SAS were very overwhelming.
Those days, I would reach out to my assigned
key worker for help. She always understood
what I was going through; she could help me
through anything. She, and my classmates,
always made me feel accepted. My key worker
gave me many coping strategies, like keeping
a journal. I also like to say the Serenity Prayer
whenever I feel it might be helpful.
The best thing I learned in the classroom was
accepting that my struggles and feelings are
only temporary.
Before SAS, I used to live my life day to day,
merely surviving. Now, I’m very focused on and
excited to going back to school this fall. I’m
also nervous! What I dream about most is giving
back to youth and women. I hope to become an
addictions counselor.

12. 12 Cry of the Streets When Dreams Become Reality | 2016 Edition
Learning to Parent
– SH, 2015 Grad
My life before SAS was filled with anger
and hurt. I was leading a very dangerous
lifestyle.
I was first pimped out at the age of eleven. I was
used for child pornography, and was steadily
given drugs by my pimp. My daily quota was
$4000.
It wasn’t until the age of 17 that I was picked
up by PSECA (Protection of Sexually Exploited
Children), hours away from being trafficked to
Mexico. For the next eleven months I stayed
in supportive housing, became clean, and even
had a job. However, a sexual assault lead me
to relapse and re-enter the sex trade. I moved
back to Toronto with the intention of stripping,
but I found myself locked in a hotel by my pimp,
sexually exploited twenty-four hours a day. At
that time, I was still in close contact with the
VICE Squad in Calgary in regards to my prior
sexual assault, and they convinced me to
attend SAS.
It has been one year since I graduated from the
SAS life-skills classroom. I have since obtained
my GED, completed my work experience
through SAS, and have secured a position at a
local nonprofit.
The best part about recovery is being the best
mom for my son. SAS has taught me most of all
to be content. If I don’t like my circumstance,
I understand its impermanence and can find
peace.
“Since I was 14, I have dreamt of a career
in social work. I think I always knew what
my dreams were, but I couldn’t always
see a reason to work for them”.

13. Cry of the Streets When Dreams Become Reality | 2016 Edition 13
Healing on My Own Time
– AK, 2016 Participant
Mypastasasexuallyexploitedaddictoftenleft
me hungry and homeless. I lived day to day,
focusing only on instant gratification. One day
while crying behind a shed, I realized my life was
a cycle of reliving the same experiences. I had to
go through a lot of struggle and pain to realize
that while it is true that I had been victimized
while living on the streets, I continually blamed
others for my own choices. When I finally realized
this, I saw no way out. I was already dreading
recovery before it even started. I didn’t think I
was capable of healing. But somehow, I knew
I deserved better than the life I had created for
myself: a life of lies, deceit, and a dual addiction
of drugs and sexual exploitation.
Taking the first steps in changing
myhighrisklifestylewerethemost
challenging tasks I’ve ever faced.
I spent my first year in recovery
clean of drugs. However, even
without drugs I still put myself in
high risk situations. Continuing to
exploit my body, I sought clients
through online advertising.
It became apparent that although
I was undergoing treatment for
my drug addiction, I couldn’t say the same
thing about my addiction to sexual exploitation.
Unfortunately, I did not feel welcome to discuss
this aspect of my life when being treated for drug
addiction. My saving grace was meeting a friend
who had a past similar to my own. She was an
Alumnae of SAS. Her story resonated with me. It
was very soon that I made the choice to contact
SAS myself. It was the best decision of my life.
Creating everyday lifestyle changes has been
extremely difficult for me. However, every day
comes with so many opportunities to learn.
Being able to make the necessary changes in
my life in my own time, without the pressure of
meeting my daily needs, is a privilege I had no
idea I needed.
I was not in the SAS program for
long when I realized exploitation
was no longer an option I desired
for myself. I’m surrounded by
encouragement, wisdom, and
helping hands from my fellow
Participants and the staff here
at SAS. They all genuinely want
nothing more than for me to
be able to create the life I truly
desire. The classroom curriculum
requires a lot of deep digging and participation.
I am most proud of the courage it has taken for
me to face my life for what it was, and face the
choices I made. It is a huge advantage to have a
safe place like the classroom where we are free
to commit trial and error, and learn appropriate
boundaries and behaviors without the judgement
of the outside world.
SAS has affected how I interact with and
perceive the world as a kind place. This has led
me to feel safe enough to dream big. My dreams
now seem achievable, and they are. I am still not
where I want to be, but I am getting there.
“I used to advertise that I
could turn your fantasies
into reality. Now I make my
own dreams my reality.”

14. 14 Cry of the Streets When Dreams Become Reality | 2016 Edition
Defining Success
– LL, 2010 Grad
Before SAS I was lost, abused and lived a life
I wouldn’t want for anyone. As a child, I was
sexually abused by my stepfather. This was the
catalyst for my being drawn to older men. At
seventeen, a met a man who took care of all my
needs, and even helped me get clean from drugs.
I was blind to the fact that I was being groomed
for the sex trade. Just shy of my eighteenth
birthday, my boyfriend informed me that I owed
him $35,000. I was forced to stroll blizzarding
streets looking for clients, and worked on phone
lines. My quota was four men per night. I began
taking drugs to cope with my circumstances.
I saw the opportunity to run away from my pimp
and left, only to be kidnapped by him. I was
then locked in a hotel room, unable to leave and
working as much as he forced me to. After the
cops busted the hotel, I was supposed to go
home. Instead, continued to work in the sex trade
on my own to support my drug addiction.
Then I became pregnant and moved to a new
town where I was assigned a P-CAP worker,
who referred me to SAS. This was the first step
towards my full recovery.
Life today is wonderful. I have two amazing
children and a full-time job. Since coming to SAS,
my life has completely changed. I am proud of
myself for coming so far.

15. Cry of the Streets When Dreams Become Reality | 2016 Edition 15
Change Lives!
As we reflect back on the past year of SAS, there is great cause for optimism in our efforts to create
healthy opportunities for our women and their children; however, the cost of providing our services
to our community increases every year. The call to expand support base remains a high priority.
Become a part of our community; be involved with SAS.
Contact us regarding these opportunities by phone at 403.237.8477, or via browsing the ‘Donate’
tab on our website: www.servantsanon.com.
Support SAS by
• Becoming a monthly financial donor
• Make a one-time donation to the program of
your choice
• Naming SAS as the beneficiary of your next
event
• Turn your energy bill into a positive! Sponsor
Energy will donate 50% of their profits to SAS
• Donating the proceeds of an old car, RV, boat
or truck sale to us via Donate A Car Canada
• Directing 20% of your realtors commission to
SAS when buying or selling a home via Agents
of Change
Volunteer
We have a broad range of volunteering
opportunities for those with different time
commitments and interests. There are positions
to fill if you’re a book lover, fundraiser, nurturer,
academic, fixer-upper, or have a background in
management or administration, to name just a
few. The volunteering section on our website
describestheongoingvolunteeringopportunities
we are looking to fill.

16. 1008, 14 Street SE Calgary, Alberta Canada 403.237.8477
info@servantsanon.com; www.servantsanon.com
“Success is accomplishing any goal, big or
small. Success is feeling proud of you. Success
is doing something someone told you couldn’t
be done.”
– LL,
2010 Grad