Local musician Harmony Parent grew up in Winnipeg’s inner city facing hardships a child shouldn’t have to deal with – parental abuse, abandonment, a destructive stepmother, dozens of foster homes and eventually teenage pregnancy.

But her unwavering determination and drive kept Harmony from letting her past ruin her future.

Through songwriting, she channeled her painful childhood experience into something creative and positive.

As part of her healing journey, Harmony wrote a song called “Are You Breathing” and donated it to Siloam Mission.

“I hope this song reaches people,” the singer-songwriter said.

“I hope as people listen, a picture of someone they’ve encountered on the streets enters their head and starts an ‘itch’ inside. I hope it inspires people to do what they can to help eliminate the cycle of poverty in our city.”

The song tells a poignant tale built from one of Harmony’s early childhood memories.

“I am haunted by the memory of a lone, old man in a heavy brown coat, pushing a shopping cart on Main St.,” Harmony recalls.

“I was just a kid, but I really wanted to help him.”

Harmony never saw the man again, but the image of him was etched in her mind forever.

Envisioning the man and what may have happened to him all those years later, Harmony penned the tune “Are You Breathing” in 2006.

Two years later – and now with a family of her own – Harmony’s song came close to predicting her own future.

“My husband, six-year old daughter and I were three days away from being homeless ourselves,” Harmony says.

“We had no friends, no family, no support at all. It was a wake up call. Bad things happen to good people.”

Inspired by her near brush with life on the street, Harmony decided to donate her song to Siloam Mission and come for a tour of the facilities.

“I came to tour Siloam Mission’s facilities and I had a chance to speak to the people who use the services. Siloam really helps people make better choices and give opportunities where there usually are none,” Harmony says.

The song “Are You Breathing” can be purchased and downloaded for $0.99 at CD Baby. All proceeds go towards Siloam Mission.