KAMSACK - Bringing decades of experience and a vast range of skills from working in the construction and landscaping industries on the west coast, Steve Collett has launched a specialty business that he hopes will appeal to those in need of a budget-minded, multi-skilled handyperson to help around the house and yard.
“My mother passed away before we could reconcile,” said Collett. “At this stage in my life, I want to give back to people who could really use an extra hand – and be the son I wish I could have been for her. Whether it’s changing a light bulb, cleaning gutters, moving snow, or cutting grass – I am more than happy to be the one you can call on anytime.”
Instead of charging standard service rates for odd jobs, Collett is offering what he calls a “blanket service” for his clients. For $100/month, Collett said he is willing to respond to any minor handyman jobs – 24 hours a day. His services are open to Kamsack residents only, so can he remain local and available.
“I just want to help people,” said Collett. “I want to be the guy they can call on day or night if they need assistance with anything.”
In addition to his on-call odd job service, SWC Property Services will offer some more extensive services such as power washing, deck building, or major home renovation projects that will be offered at competitive rates. Collett has considerable experience as a professional glazier (a tradesperson who works with glass) and describes himself as ‘a perfectionist’ in exterior and interior house painting.
“I take pride in everything I do,” said Collett. “I clean as I go, I work quickly and efficiently, and I am a perfectionist in my work.”
Open and direct about his tragic past, Collett speaks freely about what created lasting division and dysfunction in his own family. As a promising hockey player in his teen years, Collett was on track to lift his family out of poverty with a career in the NHL, when his life was broadsided by heavy drug addiction, self-harm, and mental illness that was later tracked back to his childhood and the severe sexual abuse by a family friend.
Now in his 50s, the skilled tradesperson reflects on his choice to get help after decades of alcohol and drug abuse, homelessness, and untreated mental illness. Like many who have recently moved to the prairies from major cities, Collett said it was the combination of affordable housing and an awareness of people in need that steered his decision to start a new life in Kamsack. After renovating his classic Kamsack home and settling in with a new puppy named “Mystic,” Collett said he is finally feeling healthy, stable, and comfortable in his life. He explained how his decision to provide property services was fueled more by altruism than profit.
“It was eight years ago when I was treated for my addiction and physical health. I became involved with several support groups, where I learned that my past does not define my future,” shared Collett. “Knowing that too much free time is not healthy for me, I had to do something meaningful to occupy my days. I needed a reason to get up in the morning and find purpose in my life. These days, I sincerely want to make a difference and help others.”
Before moving to Kamsack, Collett spent five years working as a peer support worker for a number of different programs including Vancouver’s downtown eastside (DTES) Overdose Prevention Site, Spikes on Bikes as a supervisor, and Vancouver Coast Mental Health’s treatment centre.
As a result of his tireless passion for helping clients transition into part-time employment, Collett was nominated in 2020 for the “Courage to Comeback Award” – in recognition of people who have overcome illness, adversity or addiction and who have ‘come back’ and ‘given back’ to their communities. In the year Collett was nominated, the awarded was ultimately presented to Vancouver Canucks goaltender, Corey Hirsch.
Although he is starting out as a “one-man operation,” Collett hopes to nurture and motivate others in Kamsack who are suffering from mental illness, drug addiction, and low self-worth.
“I would love to create a local labour pool,” said Collett. “Knowing how strong the grip of addiction can be, I feel I can offer a unique path forward for those who truly want to get clean and learn skills that will help them feel worthy and accomplished.”
Collett said he plans to guide and motivate his apprentices through a combination of supports including a flexible schedule, shorter work days, and learning how to push through personal failures to ultimately become respectful, diligent, and hard-working community members.
“I hope that with the services I provide, I will be able to support families and help keep older folks feeling comfortable living in their own homes as long as possible,” shared Collett.
