Touni has also helped Randy get back on his feet. Randy is a talented jazz musician who sings and plays guitar with his band Checkers.

“I used to do a Sinatra show here for years at the Jazz Festival, we played the Bessborough and the Sheraton. I’m more of a singer so the stuff I sing I learned how to play. I’m self-taught mostly, partially trained. I’ve been playing for 40 years, but I’m only 39,” jokes Randy.

Randy suffers from Fibromyalgia, a chronic disorder that affects the muscles and soft tissue. It can cause muscle pain, fatigue and tenderness in localized areas. Randy is unable to work because of the pain and found he could no longer pay his rent.

He stayed at the men’s shelter for two and half weeks and is working with a social worker to get into the Saskatchewan Assured Income for Disability program (SAID). He says his experience at The Lighthouse has been a positive one, “I’ve had no problems. It’s well run, they have good food here. Touni’s a really good guy, he helps people get back on their feet.”

Touni has helped to find Randy a furnished apartment of his own that is affordable. He also set him up with sheets and towels to get him started in his new home. “Many people don’t realize that the Lighthouse helps a lot of people, if they’re willing to help themselves,” says Randy, “You have to be willing to try to get your life back on the straight track.”

As Mike observes, “The Lighthouse is a place to come when you have nothing. If you need a place to stay I would advise anybody to come here. Great people, great staff, the food is wonderful. I would recommend it to anybody who needed a place, that’s for sure.”

Here is a link to Randy’s Soundcloud account. His most recent album is called Close Enough for Jazz and he has a beautiful voice- he really does sound like Frank Sinatra!