What our tenants have to say...

Stories from the Housing Office:

"Emmanuel"
My name is "Emmanuel". I grew up in a single-parent household. I was raised by my mother, who passed away when I was 15yrs old; this event changed my entire outlook on life. I drooped out of high school in the 10 th grade, this lead to my involvement in drugs and alcohol. I became very rebellious to authority figures and was arrested and served time incarcerated on multiply occasion. I had no documented mental disability; however the stress of past situations leaves me at times depressed. Prior to coming to CCHO housing, I slept in subways and abandoned building. It was during these times that kept me medicated on drugs and alcohol that things did not mattered much. At times others looked me upon with disgust because of my homelessness. I was in and out of almost every homeless shelter in NYC. My addiction with drugs and alcohol lead me to become involved with various treatment programs with little or no success. (What was good about these shelters was that it provided me with 3 meals daily). My admission in the CCHO program was really a God send as this program provided for me stable, safe and affordable housing for me and my daughter. During me stay I worked with Case Mangers on goals of attaining employment, sobriety, family stability, education and owning my own car. To date I have realized these goals I completed 20 weeks culinary training from EOC (certificate), gained employment and increased income, got custody of my baby girl (who now have her own room), have been 31/2 years sobriety, (continues to attend NA/AA meetings) and got my first car via wheels for work program. I am so grateful for the support and assistance that CCHO staff provides as anyone can become homeless at any time; just allow yourself to receive the help offered to you.

"Hope"
My name is "Hope", I am single mother of 4 children. My life before 2003 was a complete chaos. I never felt as though I belong anywhere. I was raised from 3 weeks to 17 years in foster homes. Put up for adoption by my biological mother at age 12. By age 17 years I had 2 children and was homeless. This situation presents as stressful to me that began my extensive use of drugs. I finally decided to get help upon the birth of my only son Shawn; I was about to loose my child due to my drug use and behaviors. I went into a homeless shelter in Jan 2003 and remained in shelter until Sept. 2003 and then moved into CCHO housing. During my time in housing I enrolled in school at Mildred Elley College for Medical Assistant. Upon completion I was employed by my internship site where I enjoyed working with children. My life is nothing like it was before I am now reunited with my 3 girls that I gave up; I now consider myself as a productive, independent and self-supporting member of society. I am now over 3 years clean and I am blessed to have had the support in my life.

"Michael"
"Michael" - written by his parents.
Some 35 years ago, a drug called thorazine was found to have alleviated the symptoms of patients with mental illness. Doctors (psychiatrists) hailed this medication as the magic bullet that would cure patients suffering from mental illness. So convinced were they that they decided that long term hospitalization or institutional care was no longer needed. Patients would be discharged to treatment to community care centers. And so the hospitals and institutions were emptied, however the most important part of the plan was never implemented - community care was not there or was in scant supply. What happened to these former patients is a matter of record. They became the homeless, the wandering ill, or in prison. And since the drug had side effects many chose not to take them. This is what my son faced. Except for prison, he was at times a street person, or in a poorly run community home. At one point he lived alone and the inevitable happened. With poor supervision he disintegrated and was repeatedly hospitalized. Eventually he found the DePaul Residence. Here he found caring individuals, an atmosphere that encouraged him to refocus on staying well and being productive. He has come to realize what is needed to stay well. Thanks to DePaul he found the ability to be productive. He has a job that he finds organizes his day and even gives him a chance to feel good about himself and even earn some money. This is the first time in almost 30 years that he has been able to stay at a job, enjoy his living standards. For us, his parents, it has been a wonderful respite. We feel he's safe and we don't have to dread receiving a call that once again starts the revolving door. Thank you DePaul and its wonderful staff for giving Michael and his parents hope and peace.

"Anita"
I have been living at the Waldorf 4 years now. Since I have been here I have a roof over my head. I wasn't receiving mental health treatment before. Now I am receiving treatment and medications. I was able to get off Public Assistance. I have been working full time now over 2.5 years. Living here has helped me get on my feet and lead a productive life. I feel safe and supported.

Living & Dying In A Shelter -
Fr. George Brennan
I’ll never forget the time I met a man at Lwanga shelter and he said to me: “Father, please help me find a place to live. I have a terminal illness and I don’t want to die in a shelter.” What an awful thought ! I couldn’t imagine anything worse. His words touched me deeply; and, long after he moved on from the shelter I remembered what he said and I prayed that he would have a peaceful death.

Many months later I met another man at the same shelter and he helped me to think twice about what it means to live and what it means to die. He told me that he was in the final stages of a terminal illness and his last wish was to be allowed to die at Lwanga, the only place that he could call home. He was alienated from his family and his only friends were others who were homeless along with him. As I got to know more about him I quickly learned that he had fond memories of growing up in the neighborhood where I now live. I immediately thought that this was no mere coincidence and I jokingly said: “I guess that means we’re neighbors even though neither of us really knew it ! ” We only had a few more visits because his health declined much faster than anyone had expected. Nonetheless, staff and residents were all eager to honor his request to spend his final days with them. Their concern for him was most impressive and it moved me as much as the man who had first told me that he was afraid of dying in a shelter. In our meetings to plan for his care, it was clear to me that there was a lot of love there in the midst of the sadness of knowing that time was running out. That same love was even more obvious when he eventually died and we all gathered for a memorial service. We grieved and celebrated his passing and many people talked about how his attitude toward dying was inspiring them to go on living. It was obvious to me that this dying man brought new life to many people around him. Who would have thought that a person dying in a shelter could bring so much life to others? But, why am I surprised? Who would have thought that a baby born in a stable would eventually bring new life to the whole world ? Maybe it doesn’t matter all that much where you’ve been in life or where you spend your final days. Perhaps what matters most is that you love the people you meet along the way and treat them as your neighbor.