When she walks out of the Drop-In Centre for the last time as an employee, Louise Gallagher said she wouldn’t be leaving empty-handed.

The longtime employee said she’s taking with her a wealth of invaluable life lessons.

“I really believe that working here has made me a better human being,” said Gallagher, who serves as the director of public relations and volunteer services.

During her time at the centre, Gallagher introduced an art studio, which has grown into a program that allows clients to express themselves and even sell their art.

Former executive director Dermot Baldwin said Gallagher’s initiative to start the centre’s art program changed lives.

“While they were in it, it was just the most uplifting way to spend time and to test their skill levels,” he said. “Beyond that, they stayed out of trouble while they were in the program.”

Once she departs from the DI, Gallagher said she plans to put her experiences on paper and pen a new book with the working title, Lessons in Love: Everything I know about being a human being I learned at a homeless shelter.

“The biggest thing I’ve learned is that we all are human beings, sharing this human condition and it really doesn’t matter where we walk or where we stand …we all have emotions, needs, wants and desires,” she said. “We all want a place to belong.”