|
For residents at Lutheran Metropolitan Ministry’s 2100 Lakeside Men’s Homeless Shelter, their challenges may seem too large to overcome. Below are stories of hope that can encourage these men. Names are not included to protect privacy. - Lydia Bailey, Coordinator of Volunteers
He was living in his car and trying to go to school and hold down a job. But he couldn’t receive services while living in your car, so eventually he came into 2100 and got connected with services. He worked his way through the communities of 2100 and got into independent housing in 2007. He’s still in housing and in school.
٭
A person on staff at 2100 recounts: “My first husband died of heroin overdose, second of suicide; my loved ones and friends lost their lives due to addiction. I was addicted to heroin, methadone, alcohol, and valium for 28 years and homeless from 1984-7. During those years they didn’t have all these programs (employment, housing) for those who were homeless; they’d just move you on to the next shelter.”
“But I’ve been sober since May 1995, except for cigarettes. I had good sponsors and co-sponsors. Then Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation (BVR) paid for me to go to Vocational Guidance Shelter & Service (VGS). I worked at the Cleveland Sight Center between classes, and got computer skills. I got a driver’s license and an old car. In 2002 I was married, bought a house, and a brand new car. I received my Chemical Dependency Counselor License in December, 2002.”
Here at the shelter, this staff person is giving daily support for those taking their steps. Her strong, clear mind and spirit speaks volumes.
٭
He had been working, saving money and had a family, but suddenly it fell apart because of his heroin addiction. While he was at 2100, a coordinator asked him what he wanted to do with his life. “I want to kick this,” he said.
“If you really want to kick this,” said the coordinator, “you can stay right here in the dorm. Stay in your bed, come out and eat--if you can. I’ll be checking on you.”
“After the first night,” said the coordinator, “he got his buddy, who was also on heroin, to stay in the dorm. They both kicked the addiction after 3 or 4 days.”
Both men are now in Ohio City; one is renting-to-own a house, the other owns a home. They are both back with their families, they’re working and they haven’t been back to 2100.
٭
A veteran with a mental health illness was in the shelter for 9 months and he owed an extreme amount of back rent. 2100 and the Veteran’s Administration worked at getting his payments cut down. He paid off his balance, and is now in affordable senior housing.
٭
He had 2 big strikes against him: chemical dependency and a sexually oriented offense, so he was extremely hard to place in employment and housing. He was in the Partnership area of the shelter for 3 years; a lot of staff and support people worked with him but he basically stayed drunk. He completed the employment readiness class, housing readiness class and then relapsed for another year. But people didn’t give up on him; they told him, “If you want to make this work, you’ve got to stay sober.”
He went into his second series of housing readiness classes and found a new motivation. “I want to learn all I can,” he said, “to stay the hell out of 2100.”
He is now 8 months sober and in independent housing. His goal is to go back to college and earn his Bachelors degree.
٭
He was chronically homeless with a long-time addiction to drugs & alcohol. He filled out one housing application and got accepted. A staff person at 2100 comments, “We almost had to make him fill out the application because he didn’t think he’d have a chance at housing, his self-esteem was so low.”
He’s remained in Permanent Supportive Housing over a year. He’s willing to help anybody, and he volunteers a great deal at the shelter.
٭
He used to be the kind of guy who’d sooner smash your face in than talk with you. He was homeless in Cleveland and in another major city for 30 years, with several felonies. He was in and out of 2100 since February 2000.
“To see him now is amazing,” comments a staff person. He’s been sober a year, going to recovery meetings, in a work/training program, and completed the shelter’s Employment Readiness and Housing Readiness classes.
He wants to get his G.E.D., but first he’s getting assistance with his reading from a volunteer at 2100 and he goes to the library to practice typing.
٭
He arrived at the shelter after serving 11 years in prison. He was looking for employment with no success, then applied to Cuyahoga Community College. A staff person at 2100 worked with him and helped him locate grant money.
Soon he found employment and an apartment, has a girlfriend and recently made the Dean’s list at Tri-C for his outstanding academic record.
٭
He arrived at the shelter shortly after getting out of prison with a 3rd tier sexually oriented offense. He found employment all by himself—a good job that he’s had for over 2 years. He got in 2100’s Housing program in 2007; went into Shelter+Care, April 2009, with a good amount of savings and income. He just received an Employee of the Month award.
٭
A volunteer writes, “He was at 2100 and believed in himself, which is sometimes hard to do. He had been trying for some time to find employment. One company kept ‘leading him along’, but he was hopeful it would result in a job.”
In the meantime, he got a different full-time job and he began working, but it just didn’t pay him enough as the first job he was hoping for.
“He contacted me and informed me that the job he was hoping for wanted a second interview,” reported the volunteer. “He showed up early and got a tour from the company supervisor. Within 30 minutes, he was offered the job. He started that following Monday. He is now a full-time employee and earning the money he truly believed he deserved. The BELIEF he had in himself pushed him right thru 2100 into independent housing. I can proudly say that he’s independent. BRAVO!”
|
