About 

Mr Richards*: 

“I don’t understand why this happened to me”

Richards* was diagnosed with Stage 4 colorectal cancer after experiencing severe stomach pain. The diagnosis came as a shock. He struggled to accept the news, especially as someone who neither smokes nor drinks. “I don’t understand why this happened to me,” he shared.

As his condition worsened, Richards began experiencing uncontrollable bowel movements, often waking up at night to rush to   the toilet — sometimes not making it in time. These incidents drew complaints from his housemates at the time, and eventually, his landlord, overwhelmed by the situation, asked him to move out.

Without a place to stay and still battling cancer, Richards spent some time rough sleeping before being hospitalized again. It was during this time that a social worker was assigned to his case and eventually referred him to our S3P shelter.

Today, Richards* has found stability and a safe place to rest and recover at a Single Room Shared Facility (SRSF). With proper shelter and support, he is taking one step at a time towards regaining a sense of dignity and hope.

Richards’ journey is a reminder that illness does not only affect the body—it can unravel every aspect of a person’s life, from housing to relationships and emotional well-being.

In the face of uncertainty and pain, having a safe place to stay becomes more than just shelter—it becomes the foundation for healing, dignity, and hope. While the road ahead for Richards may still be challenging, he no longer has to walk it alone.

At S3P, we continue to support individuals like Richards through difficult seasons, providing not just a roof over their heads, but care, compassion, and the assurance that they are seen, valued, and not forgotten.