Originally published on the Bird’s Eye

It’s hard to imagine anything more devastating than the loss of a beloved child. The dreams left unrealized, the promise unfulfilled, the hopes obliterated. Last week B.C.’s Chief Coroner Lisa Lapointe announced there were 2,272 suspected drug toxicity deaths in the province in 2022. At least one of those was a child of Quadra.

His mother Chantal Costaz spoke to the Bird’s Eye about the tragic death of her 20 year old son Santos on 24 June 2022 due to the intersection of mental health issues that surfaced when he was in kindergarten, addiction, and a broken system. He had been taken into police custody at 10:45 on 23rd of June, and found unresponsive
in his cell 12 hours later. He was taken to hospital where he was pronounced brain dead and his mother had to make the agonizing trip from her home on Steep Island to sit with him as his life support was turned off.

Despite her grief, Chantal somehow found a way to take this tragedy and turn it into an opportunity to do good for others. She said she was inspired partly by a woman who attended the vigil held after Santos’ passing who spoke of meeting Santos one day in the dollar store. She was concerned for him, took him under her wing for a few hours, fed him, talked to him, and even clothed him. “She was this most unassuming woman, but she took the time to care for Santos, completely out of
her comfort zone…She told me she never even saw his face that day, he
wore a mask and a hoodie tight around his head so only his beautiful eyes
showed. She saw something in him and was drawn to him. I love that story so much!” said Chantal.

Mondays had always been the day that Chantal and her son would meet, check in, and maybe share a meal. In August Chantal decided that there were many others who needed the same love and connection, people who were “stuck in the same cycle of addiction and mental health as Santos was.” She began going to Campbell River every Monday to
bring them items they could use, buy them a warm drink or an ice cream,
and this grew into a regular event that drew the support of many Quadra
residents for what became knowns as “Monday Blessings from Santos and Friends”.

“The surprise and the smiles and the gratitude I received have been so
heartwarming and have helped to lift me,” said Chantal. “I always tell them this is a blessing from Santos, as I believe he is guiding me on this venture. Many of them knew him, take the time to give me condolences and tell me stories about Santos or simply want a hug from me because it would be like hugging him. Shared many tears.”

First on her own, and then with the outpouring of support from friends
and strangers who were moved by what she was doing, Chantal does what she can to make life a little easier for those living on the streets. It might be a carafe of hot coffee, a hug, or some practical items to make life just a little more bearable. “I like to go right to them. It helps me when they say, ‘Oh, it’s Santos’ mum!” She is grateful for the support of her family, friends, and this community. She buys items with her own money and with the donations she receives: toothbrushes, hand cream, socks, or baked treats. With the cold wet weather, the need now is specifically for waterproof rain gear, tarps, tents, blankets, gloves and backpacks. Chantal was horrified to see one young woman, someone’s daughter, with hands so badly frostbitten she could see the bone. Clean items in good condition can be dropped off at Coveside Eatery from Thursday to Sunday between 11am and 7pm and will be delivered in person every Monday.