PATH CLIENTS: STORIES OF TRANSFORMATION

Kraig

Hear Kraig's digital story (Quicktime).

 

 

 

Marjorie

With your support, PATH continues to make a tremendous difference in the lives of many individuals, including Marjorie. Marjorie became homeless due to domestic violence. For 15 years she endured abuse by her husband, and when she finally decided she could no longer tolerate the abuse, she fled her husband and ended up homeless. Fortunately, Marjorie found PATH. Through the PATHWays Transitional Housing program at our PATH Westside Center, Marjorie received safe, comfortable housing away from her abusive spouse, and gained access to the job preparation and placement services she needed to get back on her feet through the on-site PATHFinders Job Center. Marjorie also benefited from the self-esteem life skills classes offered at the Westside Center, which restored the confidence her abusive spouse had taken from her and assured her that she could regain self-sufficiency. With her newly gained confidence and the employment services she received through PATHFinders, Marjorie was able to secure employment with the Los Angeles Unified School District. Determined to increase her savings to secure her future, Marjorie even took on a second part-time job working at a local grocery store. During her stay at the PATH Westside Center, Marjorie saved $2,000 and graduated into permanent housing. Marjorie’s life is one of the many that has been transformed by the support and services available through PATH.

 

Tom

With your support, PATH continues to make a tremendous difference in the lives of many individuals, including Tom (name changed). When Tom came to PATH, he had been living under the freeway for two years. He was an unemployed veteran and hoped to find employment and permanent housing.  Through PATH, Tom found what he was looking for and more. After meeting with a PATHMall Case Manager, Tom enrolled as a resident in the PATHWays Transitional Housing Program. During his stay in PATHWays, Tom took full advantage of the on-site supportive services available through the PATHMall. With the help of our PATHMall partners, Tom gained access to the medical and dental care that he needed, and received eyeglasses through our partnership with QueensCare Clinics. He also received assistance in applying for veterans’ benefits. Through the job preparation and placement services he received at the PATHFindersJob Center, Tom obtained living-wage employment working as a manager at a major grocery store chain.  During his time at PATH, Tom saved over $1,200, and now lives in his own apartment.  Tom’s life is one of the many that has been transformed by the support and services available through PATH.

 

John

With your support, PATH continues to make a tremendous difference in the lives of many individuals, including John (name changed). When John came to PATH, he was HIV positive, bipolar, and a recovering narcotics addict who had been living on the streets for two months. John worked with a Case Manager in the PATHMall to get connected to the immediate substance abuse and mental health treatment services he needed, and enrolled as a resident in PATHCares. Through the integrated housing and support services provided at PATH, John was able to adhere to his medical and psychological treatment regimen, participate in health education classes that taught him how to cope with his HIV condition, attend Narcotics Anonymous meetings to maintain his sobriety, and gain financial management skills through life skills workshops. John advanced his education through the computer skills training available through the on-site PATHFinders Job Center, and obtained increased income through public benefits. John graduated from the program with $4,155 in savings and moved into his own apartment. John’s life is one of the many that has been transformed by the support and services available through PATH.

 

Christopher

Christopher (name changed). Christopher became homeless due to substance addiction and mental illness, and spent more than a year on the streets before he was connected to PATH through a referral from a mental health services provider. In addition to struggling to cope with the daily difficulties of homelessness, Christopher was also HIV positive, and struggled with declining health as a result of lack of proper medical care and nutrition. Upon arriving at the PATH Regional Homeless Center, Christopher met with a case manager and secured a bed in the PATHCares transitional housing program for individuals living with HIV/AIDS. Through PATHCares, Christopher received the clean and comfortable housing and nutritious meals he needed to begin to stabilize his health. During his time at PATH, Christopher took full advantage of the variety of supportive services available at the PATHMall, including health care, substance abuse treatment, mental health care, and assistance in enrolling to receive public benefits. Christopher also participated in AA/NA meetings and improved his independent living skills through life skills workshops. During his time as a resident at PATHCares, Christopher saved $1,300, and graduated from our program into permanent supportive housing.

 

Mitchell

Mitchell was staying on the streets when he first entered the PATH Access Center. He had been in and out of various homeless assistance programs before coming to PATH. While a client of the PATH Access Center, Mitchell enrolled with the Hollywood Mental Health program and began accessing services on a regular basis as part of his day program. By the time he left the program 120 days later, Mitchell had a great relationship with his mental-health counselor and support group. Furthermore, he found subsidized housing and had saved $2,565. Mitchell is currently doing very well - and no longer living on the streets.

Evelyn

Evelyn, age 35, became homeless due to an abusive relationship she had been in for five years. After fleeing from her abuser, Evelyn received a referral to PATH. She was initially diagnosed with depression and was receiving Social Security Disability, but stated that she was eager to find a full-time job. With several years of customer service experience with insurance companies, Evelyn wanted to search for a job in the same field. Through PATH Academy and PATH Finders Job Center, Evelyn received training to create a resume, find job leads and practice mock interviews. PATH Academy assisted Evelyn in successfully securing full-time employment at a reputable insurance company.

Raul

Raul became homeless because of drug use and the break-up of a long-term relationship. Before coming to PATH, he had completed a six-month rehabilitation program and remained committed to his own recovery. Through PATH Finders Job Center, Raul found employment as an Assistant Manager of a local restaurant. Upon leaving PATH, Raul was promoted to Executive Vice President of the restaurant. In addition, Raul saved over $3,000 and rented his own apartment in West Hollywood. Raul was a model resident while living at PATH, and we are proud of his success.

Lydia

Lydia, a single mother with two children, was an undocumented immigrant and in the process of receiving her immigration and naturalization documents when she first came to PATH. Through PATH, Lydia was referred to the Midnight Mission family housing program. Her family now is able to receive Section 8 housing and she has access to childcare, budgeting classes, parenting classes and family counseling services.

Wiley

Wiley relocated to Los Angeles from Cleveland, Ohio, a move that caused his homelessness. Wiley never had any substance abuse or mental-health issues, he simply fell on hard times. He entered the PATH Ways men's transitional housing program with a full-time job as a security guard. Through the program, Wiley was able to save $3,800. He was determined to improve himself and worked nights while attending school at UCLA. Wiley completed the program and moved into his own apartment in Hollywood.

Derrick

Derrick had a chronic four-year history of drug use. He also had several emotional issues as a result of learning that he was HIV positive. While staying at PATH Cares transitional housing program, he received counseling, case management and access to job-search resources. Derrick found a job at a flower shop and kept the PATH facility looking beautiful with fresh flowers. During his stay Derrick mended his relationship with his 70-year-old mother. After 153 days in the program, he decided to move in with his mother to help take care of her. Upon leaving the program, Derrick had saved over $1,500 towards becoming self-sufficient.

Cam

Cam came to PATH because an ended relationship left him without housing and lack of funds. He was homeless for three months in Los Angeles and he came to PATH to receive much-needed services and referrals to care for his HIV status. He also obtained eyeglasses through the Lens Crafters Gift of Sight program. Cam enrolled in the PATH Academy program to acquire computer and word-processing skills. During his stay at PATH Ways Men, Cam saved $3,700 from his SSI checks and is now living with family and waiting for Section 8 approval.

Emancipated Foster Youth- Traci’s story

Traci was born into a broken family.  Her mother, stepfather and 3 siblings were often homeless, moving between motels and shelters regularly.  Traci’s mom had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder years before, and her disability created a hardship for the family, particularly for Traci.

One morning at 3 am, Traci and her 3 younger sisters were observed by police as they walked the streets of LA, homeless, pushing a shopping cart. They were brought into police custody for questioning.  DCFS was brought in and soon their family would be split up and sent into Foster Care.

“For a while it seemed like the revolving door of Foster Care placement would never end,” Traci said.  The separation from family proved difficult for her. Traci recalls the trials of finding a suitable placement: “One family didn’t speak English, one lady treated me like an indentured servant, and many others just had too many kids. I was placed into 5 or 6 homes before I knew it.”  It would be months before Traci would find a stable home with an appropriate family.

3 months after Traci settled into a new life with a foster care placement, her mom managed to save enough money to secure a one-room single and regained custody over Traci and her younger sisters.  Shortly after, she found a more spacious, low-income apartment where the family would remain for the next four years.  Still, life back with her mom and sisters proved difficult. “We just couldn’t seem to get along,” says Traci.  “We were always arguing and fighting and I just couldn’t take it anymore, so I left.”

Even though she was only 16, Traci moved in with a friend and began to look for work.  Soon afterward, she learned she was pregnant.  “Things seemed peaceful for a while until I learned my sisters were removed from my mom again.  They had scabies.”   When Traci went to a court hearing for her mom, it was discovered she was a minor.  DCFS quickly moved to place her back into foster care where she would endure another round of foster care placements. 

“I ended up in a placement in Compton, far from my family,” Traci recalls.  “I was so afraid I would go into labor with my baby.”  Traci’s foster parents understood her concerns and allowed her to spend more time with her mom, who by then managed to regain custody of Traci’s 3 sisters.

With the baby soon to arrive, Traci became increasingly diligent about finding a permanent place to live before her baby was born. Through a friend, she learned of housing opportunities at Gramercy Housing Group (GHG).  “I called and remember speaking with Atta’ya, GHG’s Executive Director,” say’s Traci.  “She was so nice, helping me to make phone calls as well as helping me fill out paperwork so I could secure an apartment at GHG.” 

It would be a couple of months before the courts would approve Traci’s request for emancipation and subsequent transition to GHG.

Because Traci was still a minor, Gramercy Housing Group had to convince a judge to allow her to live at GHG.  They assisted Traci with letters to the court detailing why Traci’s transition to GHG would be beneficial for her and what set GHG apart from other programs.

After many meetings, Traci’s request was approved.

Traci has been at GHG for two months now.  Her baby, Nyla was born in July and she is busy learning her new role as mom and caretaker.  “I want people to know that I am committed to creating a better life for me and my daughter.  I’ve made many mistakes along the way, but I’m a strong person.  We’ll be ok.”

Through all of the trials, Traci has kept a positive outlook on life, helping all of those around her and learning to thrive on her own.  We applaud her efforts and look forward to hearing more about her continued progress.