How 'Pops' changed lives: Remembering the founder of Dans la rue

Father Emmett Johnstransformed the lives of countless Montreal youth since foundingDansla rue in 1988.

To start the organization, he borrowed $10,000, bought a used RVand took to the streets.

Johns, best knownby his nickname "Pops," made thevehiclea safe place where vulnerable street kids could find shelter, warm food and an attentive ear.

He helpedraise awareness about the problem of homelessness and offered young peoplean alternative to protection services and police.

Dansla rue now has more than 65 employees and nearly 135 volunteers.

Johns died on Saturday. He was 89.

Here are just a fewstories from people whose lives he changed for the better.

StphaneTurcotte

StphaneTurcottewas homeless and addicted to heroin as a teen. He was homeless until he was18.

Johns and the entire staff atDansla rue helped him find a way out, he said.

He was a father to everyone living on the street, he said.

"He had a powerful spirit."

He now works as a trucker. He lives inTerrebonne, where he owns ahorse.

TalasiaTarkirk

AfterTalasiaTarkirkran away from her group home at 15, shedidn't know where to turn. She took the Metro to Atwater station, hoping that Johns would turn up in the Dansla rue RV. He did.

"Would you like a hot dog or a cheese dog?" he asked her. She took acheese dog.

Johns helped Tarkirk find a place to stay that night and, over the years, helped her make a life for herself, Tarkirk told CBC Montreal's Daybreak on Monday.

Tarkirk, now 38,ended up volunteering with Pops for seven years. She was his "co-pilot" in the RV andprepared hot drinks for street kids throughout the city.

Oftenthere would be more than 200 people waiting when the vehicle pulled up near Berri Metro, she said.

"He was like a best friend almost right off the bat, and I think that was the case for almost any kid that opened up to him," she said.

"He did so much for me. He forwarded me my rent on occasion so I could keep my apartment and not get kicked out."

Jen Gagnon

Johns helped Jen Gagnon get her life back on track in the mid-1990s, when she was living in shelters as a teenager.

He encouraged her to goback toschool. He gave her money for books and food while she was on welfare, she said in a Facebook exchange.

"He even bought me a dress and came to my graduation," Gagnon, who now lives in California, wrotein a separate Facebook post.

"When I started university, his health started ailing and I never saw him again. But his impact on me is greater than almost any human being that I have ever encountered. He was the most real and honest person that I probably will ever know."

She now has a master's degree and a family of her own.

"I love him so much. I hope he is in peace, and man, I kinda hope he can feel how much he means to all of us."

Nadine Labont

Johns was a father figure to Nadine Labont during her difficult teenage years, she said.

She met him when she was 13after running away from home.Johns helped her get detox treatment, move more than a dozen times and get back in school.

They stayed in touch, andyears later, he was there for the birth of her daughter and her daughter's baptism.

She went on to volunteer with Johns.Labontsaid he was there for her often and "without any judgment."

TimRaybould

"He humbled me in a very good way. He was very direct," TimRaybould, who worked atDansla rue for 13 years, said by phone.

Raybould, now aCLSCcase worker, described one particular memory that stood out.

Two youths came toDansla rue asking for help after their dog was hit by a car. They wanted money to save their dog.RaybouldsaidDansla rue wouldn't be able to help.

Johns overheard the exchange and toldRaybouldhe was not doing his job.

"He said that I had given up without trying to find a solution. I said that wedidn't have the money to aid the youths. He told me to phone a vet, explainthe situation and ask for their help. I did.They helped, we got the support required for the dog,everyone was happy," he wrote on Facebook.

Raybould said Johns taught him "to always try and find a solution to what might seem as an impossible task. Thank you Pops. I love you."

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