Damien Colgan was at rock bottom, an alcoholic $37,000 in debt and living on the streets for almost a decade after doing time in jail for bank robbery.
After breaking both legs in an accident Damien booked himself into rehab for his drinking problem and was sober within four months.
He told Maureen Little, a 72-year-old budget advisor who has worked at Presbyterian Support Northern in Auckland for the past 30 years.
Damien Colgan (pictured) was at rock bottom, an alcoholic $37,000 in debt and living on the streets for almost a decade after doing time in jail for bank robbery
After breaking both legs in an accident Damien (pictured with his daughter) booked himself into rehab for his drinking problem and was sober within four months
Damien (pictured with his partner) told Maureen Little, a 72-year-old budget advisor who has worked at Presbyterian Support Northern in Auckland for the past 30 years
‘She said, “Congratulations, what are you going to do with it?” I thought “this is a bit off you’re supposed to pour praise on me”,’ Damien told The NZ Herald.
Ms Little, known as ‘Saint Maureen’ on the streets, suggested Damien volunteer at the food bank instead, and set to work helping him with his debt problem.
Following the advice of the woman he calls a ‘guardian angel’, he declared insolvency in order to avoid paying the money he owed for vehicle damage.
Damien then decided to go to university and graduated from Auckland University of Technology with a Bachelor of Communications.
Damien (pictured) said the way Ms Little treated him was life-changing, and allowed him to rediscover his humanity when other people treated him like dirt
While in his final year he fell in love with his philosophy lecturer, and the pair soon had a daughter, now aged four.
After graduation Damien’s transformation continued – he started his own business and he and his partner now own five homes.
He does rubbish removals, reroofing and glazing, and renovates houses, making an income unimaginable only a decade earlier.
Maureen Little (pictured), known as ‘Saint Maureen’ on the streets, suggested Damien volunteer at the food bank instead, and set to work helping him with his debt problem
‘It’s a real joy [to see Damien’s transformation]. He gives me great hope for everybody else. I’m proud and very happy for him. I’m just glad to see him reaching fulfillment and using the brains he has got,’ said Ms Little.
Damien said the way Ms Little treated him was life-changing, and allowed him to rediscover his humanity when other people treated him like dirt.
‘Maureen never told me to p*** off, she just loved me back to health,’ he said.