Guy Felicella spent nearly 20 years living on the streets of Vancouver’s notorious Downtown Eastside. Guy survived through the HIV/AIDS crisis in the DTES in the 80’s & 90’s, two decades of being homeless, stints in gangs & jail, multiple life-threatening bone infections, and six drug overdoses in which he needed to be brought back to life each time.

Through sheer self determination and with the help of others through harm reduction and recovery, Guy escaped the grips of the turmoil that kept him suffering. Today he works for Vancouver Coastal Health and the BC Centre on Substance Use advocating on the importance of harm reduction and recovery for those struggling with addiction.

Guy is also a sought-after International Public Speaker who shares his personal experience and expertise at conferences, seminars, and TEDx Talks. He attends various school districts and post secondary institutions to educate students on drug addiction, and currently resides with his wife and three young children with nearly a decade of recovery and sobriety under his belt.