The Blessed Broken Road
“All roads have bumps and turns, but its how you navigate your position around such obstacles that will determine the outcome of your destination" T. Thomas”.
Trynelle Thomas Break the Cycle – Owner of Thrive Industries.Net
Hi my name is Trynelle Thomas many people know me as “Nelly” I was born and raised in many different parts of Toronto. As a young adult I choose to be part of the social work and criminal justice line of work based on my own personal struggles and challenges as a woman of colour who has continued to face issues related to injustice care practices, childhood sexual abuse, adult physical and sexually abuse, housing issues, and mental health.
From the early ages of my life, I faced sexual abuse by the hands of a family member and later experienced my first overdose. I still live with the struggle and memories from that time as my family doesn’t know what happened back then. At the age of 17 I became homeless due to my reckless behaviour and trying to cope with the abuse I had faced. With not wanting to get others involved and not trusting the system I ended up being homeless. Within my first couple of nights on the streets I got trafficked. I spent my time on the street being forced to do things and do drugs against my will. None of my family knew at the time as I was very good at hiding my inner struggles. I faced a lot of pain while being homeless and that feeling led to hopelessness.
Overtime I was able to get off the streets and away from my traffickers but unlike most women and children out there “I was the one that got away”. I was very lucky to have managed to escape the life I was living on the street and after long thoughts of not wanting to be back in the system as I was still under the age of 18. I went to go live with my dad at this point in my journey. This itself was a challenge as I continued to run away and get into trouble during my college years until I finally broke that “cycle “of acting in a trauma response of fear and turned my life around. Although in my young adult years I faced more sexual abuse and having to deal with the legal system I was able to choose a better life for myself. I graduated College and now I m finishing my last year in University, alongside working in the field of social work.
I finally had a stable roof over my head even though living with my father had its downfalls I had shelter and learned how to not only accept love but how to show it as well. Although I struggled and still struggle with my trauma, I have a firm foundation of friends, faith and family that care and love me. I have now been able to move out on my own and started my healing journey. I have created a small non-profit business for myself that focuses on motivational speaking and mental health workshops. Related to children, youth and adults that struggle with mental health and early childhood trauma. I hope to one day host my very own TED talk and share my life stories/ my poetry. I wish to own and create a place like a healing ranch for many to come and focus on their own healing pathways. Below is a pome written by myself to my inner child.
I started my work with the Gatehouse in 2023 when a friend had recommended their phase one program to myself. Although at the time I was not emotionally ready to partake in the phase one program due to already being involved in prior work. I had spoken during my intake session and had asked if I could give back and help in another way. I had explained the side business I had started and asked to lead a take back your voice workshop at the Gatehouse and I am so glad to be in a role to help others and make change while healing my own wounds along the way. I have now lead a total of 3 workshops and I am so excited to see what the future holds.
Website: Thrive Industries
Email: tt2workz@gmail.com
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