If you ask me what effect the ISL/Hope4Life programme has had on people, I would say it's changed the lives of many youngsters who want to achieve great success.

Now this story I'm about to share is not about an ISL player, but a new friend and staff worker who decided he needed to change his life.

He's a man who has a heart of gold and would do anything for change, a man that hurts inside from his addiction and needed to give himself hope, a man I respect because he decided enough was enough.

It was last year when I met my new friend and he was having a hard time with his bad habits that set him on the wrong path. I could see the pain in his face, but felt his strong spirit to improve himself.

He came up to National Sports Centre looking for work. I looked at him and said: "What would you like to do?" I was not in a position to give him a full-time job but could pay a little to him to help me set the field up for the ISL games.

It was not much work but if he was with me he would be out of trouble and that was a good start. I worked out a schedule with him to be at the field and each day he made sure he was two hours earlier than me.

This is when I realised how much he wanted to be apart of the programme and I made sure to keep him around.

He helped me the whole summer and I enjoyed chatting to him. Many times we would end up hanging around chatting for hours about life.

Oh! Yes and never was there a day that went by when he did not tell me about how young he looks for his age.

The friend I'm talking about is Mr. Pierre Binns. I saw him a month ago in Hamilton and was amazed at his appearance, his smile and the confidence he had about himself. He looked like a new man.

We chatted about his story and I wished him well after exchanging numbers. It was a week later when I received this letter from him and I was lost for words, touched and will hold this letter close. I do not look for anything from people I help so this was a great surprise for me.

Pierre's letter read:

Hello again Mr. Bascome I am writing you this because it is only right for me to do so.

I really thank you for last summer for giving me a job in the ISL football games. I read your story in the paper. I must say you opened my eyes tremendously.

Yes, it was a struggle for me, but I realise to myself and (I'm) believing and focusing not much in what others think but what I know.

Through you I was able to accomplish my goals, I dedicate my success to you.

I tremendously believe success comes from being around successful people like yourself.

I put myself in a circle of positive and driven people like yourself.

Yes, it's breathtaking to me I was able to complete my course. I'm now focusing on getting myself in school here in Atlanta Decatur in the fall.

I thank you for your words of advice and your speeches to me about success. I am six months clean and sober for the first time ever in my life.

It came from a good person like yourself to inspire me. I thank you so much for being there for me and more.

Thank you David. If you want you could put this in the paper if you want to give inspiration. Pierre

I thank you sir again.

Pierre, I thank you for your letter, you have a lot of courage to open yourself and your experience will help many. You will touch many as you have touched me on your journey to success because of your kind heart and desire. You have taught me and many others that it's never too late to believe and have hope.

Until Next Time!