Although employed fulltime, Bill was homeless, living in his truck, drowning in debt. Through Welcome House direct bill payment services, he began saving $75-$120 a week. Staff assisted him with food, a mental health referral, free medication and housing counseling. After 8 weeks, Bill moved into an apartment; he brings his paycheck in weekly so that he can gain financial stability.

“I moved to the Gardens at Greenup from a treatment center four years ago.  The Gardens has been a safe house for my children and me.  The Gardens is a place to live if you are really ready to make a change in your life.  Since I’ve lived here I’ve gotten a good job and would like to become a homeowner.”
Tracy and her daughter moved from a homeless shelter into the Gardens. She had been severely abused as a child and then married an alcoholic who abused her.  She had very low self esteem. At the Gardens, she obtained counseling, completed technical training, and met with a mentor who took her to Al-Anon and taught her to drive. After 2 years, her daughter is in a good Montessori preschool, Tracy has obtained a divorce, started a responsible managerial job earning $27,000, and moved into market rate housing.

Last year Abigail was hospitalized for two months. Her husband Hank, who is disabled, could not earn enough to pay their market rate rent while Abigail was ill.  They fell drastically behind but luckily they received a Section 8 housing voucher they had applied for twelve months before.  They did not have enough money to pay hospital bills and living expenses, and certainly could not afford all of the moving expenses.  They needed a $165 deposit for electricity in order to get the utilities turned on in their new apartment.  Without utilities, the family would lose their voucher with its long-term promise of housing stability.  Welcome House helped the family with the utility deposit.  Abigail and Hank are now living in their new apartment and have a sustainable budget that they developed with the help of a Welcome House case manager.  They also received help from Welcome House with food and information on resources available in their community.  When Abigail  is fully recovered she can attend our job club to seek employment.