My Shining Face
I had no place to call my home. Now I do.
It was exactly two winters ago.
Two years ago, I walked into the Hub of Hope. The Hub is a winter initiative in the concourse of Suburban Station that provides outreach services to the most vulnerable and chronically homeless.
At the time, I had no place to call my home. I had lost my first one-bedroom apartment because of substance abuse, resiliency, and major depression. Since I am transgendered, I was soon placed into a Safe Haven for women. I started back working with my team of case-managers at Horizon House so I could take the needed steps to get me another apartment. I volunteered from time to time at the Hub of Hope so I could keep my mind occupied. I never want to forget where I come from.
I continued for some time working with my case managers at Horizon House. Then it was that big day! September 11, 2013, I signed my lease for another one-bedroom apartment.
I recently went back to the Hub of Hope to show my shining face. To remind myself of where it all began-- and where I don't want to end back up.
The streets are not a safe place for me to be, nor is street life a healthy way of living. Today I may still fight my demons from time to time, but I continue working with my case-managers at Horizon House so I can maintain this apartment.
God has been so good to me and I am truly blessed to have met some really amazing people along my journey. And the journey continues.
Project HOME's Hub of Hope closed in mid-April for the year. For almost a month, we have been digesting all we learned this season. See our initial findings about our work and outcomes this 2015 winter season at www.projecthome.org/hub2015.
