“Hephzibah is where it all began”

The 2018 Heart of Gold Ball included an inspirational and emotional presentation by Brian Fruits, a professor of Humanities at Concordia University and founder of the Saltbox Theatre Collective, who shared how as a young child Hephzibah changed the trajectory of his life. Shuffled in and out of foster care, Fruits and his sister ultimately came to live at Hephzibah’s group home.

“I came to Hephzibah wounded by neglect and verbal and physical abuse, and Hephzibah was the first place where I learned to believe in myself and dream big. Hephzibah stops all the crazy chaos and really pays attention to each child, working to find a path of hope out of what might otherwise be destruction,” he said. “I can honestly say that Hephzibah changed my life and helped me become the man I am today.”

Building on the theme for the evening, “Dream With Us,” Brian shared that Hephzibah was the first place he ever felt safe and loved.

“Hephzibah is where I learned to trust others,” he said. “It was my refuge. It was (and still is) my home. And while living at Hephzibah, like so many children before and after me, it was the first place I learned to believe in myself and dream big.”

Inspired by Hephzibah, Brian exceled in high school, graduated from college and completed his master’s degree. After graduation, he taught high school and is now a college professor, is married and he writes and directs many theater productions.

“Yes, I have many more dreams and goals, but I can say this with full confidence and humility that Hephzibah was where it all began for me,” Brian says. “My life changed while I was there. Hephzibah taught me to dream big and I am better for it.”