From despair on the streets to the top of the city: Skyscraper window cleaner inspires hundreds at YOU Breakfast

From the streets of London to the tops of buildings, a skyscraper window cleaner shared his story at the YOU Breakfast. CTV’s Sean Irvine reports.

A packed RBC Place crowd was captivated Friday morning by a young man’s journey from despair on the streets of London to the literal heights of success.

The tale was shared during the 20th annual Breakfast for YOU (Youth Opportunities Unlimited).

Trent Burke employs a half-dozen people who make the glass of London’s tallest buildings shine through his firm, Altitude Window Cleaning.

But as a 13-year-old, Trent’s window on the world was blurred with turmoil.

“My parents’ marriage had disintegrated. My mother was so stressed out with the fallout and taking care of my two younger sisters, I became the proverbial sacrificial lamb,” he told the crowd.

Within a few short years, Trent would be on his own and also a new father.

“I was pretty worried because I was a homeless, traumatized, and now drug addicted street kid,” he said.

His addiction would last a decade, but throughout that time, he found a way to make money.

“I was squeegeeing cars, and I was cleaning the storefronts downtown. I looked up at the buildings, and I said to my friends, ‘I’m going to clean all of these buildings one day. I’m going to hang off every single one of these buildings,’” he recalled.

Trent lived up to his pledge and left drugs behind. Now he is inspired to help the young people of today struggling with addiction.

“Somebody has to get out of it to prove that it’s possible to get out,” he told CTV News during an interview after the event.

Through his message, he now hopes leaders in the Forest City find compassion for all youth.

“They were all children once. You know, it doesn’t really matter how old they are. You see them there, and you just think that’s somebody’s daughter,” he said.

“Somebody” Trent reminds us just needs a hand, a place to stay, and a second chance. It’s why he encourages them to access YOU services.

“Keep going back. Keep applying yourself and keep showing up,” he said.