A man working with Welcome House since September shared what the services have meant to him. As told to his case manager, the agency has made quite an impact in a short time frame.
I never thought I would end up homeless at age 54. I had never needed help from anyone before I lost my apartment. I was self-sufficient. I couldn't have even imagined what being homeless feels like.

Becoming homeless has been an eye-opening experience for me. Before I became homeless, I always pictured a homeless man as having a haggard beard and a dirty face; digging through garbage and sleeping under the bridge. Little did I know that I, myself, would be able to see homelessness firsthand every time I look in a mirror.

Before I came to Welcome House, I had a hard time finding an agency that cared about me as a person.  Welcome House has allowed me to grow as a person and learn to appreciate those in need. I realize now that Welcome House works not to provide band-aid services to people, but instead  fosters long term skills to help strengthen that person to conquer their battles, fears, and hardships to maintain a self-determined lifestyle. Without the Welcome House, my battle to get back on my feet may have never been won. Welcome House has helped me feel like me again as a person. Not just as a homeless man, but as a man who is now on the path to success.

Imagine finding $1,500 dollars. Would you return it?
A Welcome House client, who was homeless just days before finding the cash, did. Ten days after Michael moved from a homeless shelter into his own apartment, he discovered a wallet. He found it on the ground at the TANK transit center. When Michael opened up the wallet, he saw fifteen $100 bills. Michael thought for a moment that this was enough cash to pay all of his bills for probably four months. But then Michael said, "How much would I miss this if I lost it? I would want someone to turn it in."

So Michael turned the cash over to the Transit Authority and the original owner was located. The man gave Michael twenty dollars for his honesty.

Michael began working with Welcome House in July. After going through a divorce, he found himself without a home and was unable to keep a job. He spent his nights sleeping at the bus station but is now housed and working at a local laundry facility.
Michael's case manager says the story about Michael returning the lost money is just one instance about how his client is respectful of others. Michael says his hardship shouldn't make things difficult for people in the world around him.

Tasha lost her job and was at risk of being evicted from her apartment when she turned to Welcome House last November. Without a high school diploma and no access to affordable childcare, Tasha struggled to find a new job. She worried about how to support her family during these hard economic times. Her cousin told Tasha about her own experience with Welcome House. The suggestion changed Tasha's life.

Soon after meeting with her case manager, Tasha enrolled in a math tutoring program and began studying for the GED test. She passed the test in June! After getting her GED, Tasha decided to increase her job skills. She entered an apprenticeship program for women looking to learn more about the constructions and manufacturing trade.

Tasha's life is stabilized. She now has reliable childcare and is working part-time as she completes her vocational training. The people Tasha met through her tutoring courses continue to provide a strong community of support as Tasha works to build a better life for herself and her children.

One life event can change everything... and land you in a position you never thought you would have to face. That is exactly what happened to Peter when he recently went through a divorce.  He lost his wife and his home.  In addition, the cost of the divorce also left him without the money to keep up on his plumbing license fees and he eventually lost his job.  Peter lived with friends for awhile before turning to Welcome House for help.
Peter worked with a case manager to find an apartment and enroll in  a program to receive help to become more self sufficient.  Case managers help clients like Peter develop five year goals that include developing career paths, and/or educational goals, and long-term budgeting skills.

After working with his case manger for a year, he now has a plumbing job with a temp company, is working other odd jobs and is in the process of getting back his plumbing license.  Peter has paid back money he owed and is reconnected with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

His case worker is confident Peter will be back in a good job and able to buy his own home again in a year or two. Your continued support of Welcome House helps people just like Peter get their feet back on the ground.