Paul Crete said he's always been a happy person – even when he was living in his car for several years.

But he found his life improved quite a bit after he started coming to the 91Ô­´´ Senior Resources Society's (LSRS) centre several years ago.

"I was sleeping in my car, and I was coming here to do puzzles," Crete said.

Staff there asked him about himself, and when he explained where he was living, they managed to get him a place in the Salvation Army's Gateway of Hope shelter. He lived there for two years before finally moving into a place of his own at the Jennie Gaglardi Place, which provides non-market housing for locals.

"It's great. It's wonderful," said Crete.

He also connected with community resources and picked up a new skill over the last year – he learned to read.

Crete said he was at a kindergarten level before last year.

"But I finally got it," he said.

Crete's journey to living in his car was fairly typical of many seniors who fall on hard times. He'd lived a hard life and worked hard, until a workplace injury two decades ago put an end to that, and left him without much in the way of resources.

He's still got plans for the future. Up next is getting surgery on both his knees. He's also connected with a denturist through the LSRS and is getting some new teeth sometime next year.

With all that done, the 68-year-old is hoping to get back to working full time.

His new home and new plans haven't stopped Crete from coming back to the centre regularly. He works there two days a week washing dishes, volunteers when he can, and was back chatting with other visitors and working on a new puzzle on Monday, Dec. 9.

He's also backing the society's Season to Share campaign.

According to LSRS executive director Kate Ludlam, Crete gave the first donation to this year's fundraising drive.

Season to Share is aimed at collecting funds for programs like the ones that helped Crete, Ludlam said.

Over the years, the LSRS has put more of its resources towards helping seniors who are having trouble with the basics, including affording food and shelter.

"Our community services department is growing very quickly," said Ludlam.

The rapidly rising cost of living has made it a necessity.

This year's Season to Share campaign has a goal of collecting $60,000, after last year bringing in $52,000 for the society.

Unfortunately, the ongoing Canada Post strike has made fundraising difficult. LSRS has taken out newspaper ads and is starting a phone campaign to try to get the word out. They're also encouraging people to either drop off cheques in person at the LSRS office at 20605 51B Ave. in 91Ô­´´ City, or to donate online at .