GIVE TO TRANSFORM OUR COMMUNITY

Tiffany was a homeless Life Center client battling an alcohol addiction and past trauma. After a stint in jail, she got clean and was able to focus on building her future. Now, she has a full-time job at a local organization that assists the homeless, has a place to live, and is thriving! When she returned to visit the Life Center, she thanked us for being there for her at her worst and for keeping consistent boundaries, which encouraged her to change destructive behaviors.

Garrett had been homeless for 13 years and struggled with a methamphetamine addiction. The Life Center became a place for him not only to rest on hard days but also to access other resources. After connecting with a rehab and sober living program, Garrett had the opportunity to address his addiction and pursue a new life. He got baptized, got a job as a chef, and is now looking for an apartment!

Winnie and her husband were living in their car when they began stopping by the Life Center for snacks and coffee. They soon became participants in the Work-2-Earn program. Winnie later expressed concern for her safety, sharing about her husband’s verbal abuse, manipulation, and controlling behavior. We quickly helped Winnie find a shelter for female domestic violence victims and coordinated her journey there, giving her safety and space to make decisions about her future.

Jeff had been homeless and living in his car for 8 years, as his intellectual challenges and OCD diagnosis often made stability difficult. The Life Center resource navigation team coordinated with four other organizations to form a support team for Jeff and help him find permanent housing. Jeff is now living in his new apartment and continues to work with a job coach and a caseworker to ease his transition out of homelessness.

Jessica was homeless and struggling with an injured leg that was still unhealed from a previous surgery. She also had a colostomy bag, which, due to the unpredictability of life on the streets and the harsh outdoor elements, was difficult to maintain. We worked with Jessica’s family to create an action plan and helped Jessica enter a care facility. There, her leg was able to heal fully and she received more specialized support and housing.

Marcus was a homeless Life Center client battling alcoholism. When he was ready to make a change, he began participating in our Work-2-Earn program. With his Work-2-Earn voucher, he paid for the drug testing needed to enter a short-term housing program that also addresses clients’ mental health, long-term housing, and employment concerns. The Life Center also wrote a recommendation letter for Marcus to assist in the resolution of a court case. After graduating from the short-term housing program, Marcus completed an internship at a local nonprofit organization serving the homeless. As a person with lived experience being homeless, Marcus now offers his perspective and insight to the organization.