I Am Hearth: Paula

On November 20th 2018, Hearth welcomed Paula with keys to her new apartment and presented her with brand new home good items to help ease her transition into housing. For the last four years Paula has lived at various shelters across the city. 

After settling in to her new space, Paula recounted, that for the first time in a long while, she would be able to wake up the next morning without someone telling her to get up, pack, and leave. This would also be the first time in years Paula took a shower without fear of someone taking her belongings. Perhaps the most exciting thing for Paula though, was the thought of running errands in the middle of the afternoon and being able to go back to a place she can call home. As she finished unpacking and hung up her new shower curtain, Paula began to shed happy tears. She was finally home!

One week after moving in, Paula invited a small group of staff and residents to her apartment.  She was making her first home-made meal in four years, chicken alfredo.  She slowly shook her head and said, "can you believe it? I haven't made a meal in years and tonight I'm using my own kitchen, my own pots and pans, and I can invite guests over.  Hearth has changed everything for me."

I Am Hearth: Donald

I view homelessness as a three-step journey, 1) going into homelessness, 2) being homeless, 3) living life after homelessness.  This is my unique story. 

Five years ago, I was preparing for retirement when unexpected health issues arose and I lost my job.  My goals and expectations for the future began to rapidly dissipate and an inevitable tailspin of hardships commenced. As my physical health deteriorated, my mental health also declined. My thought process was challenged beyond balance. My emotions entered intensity levels too ashamed to share. Finances had become depleted resources. I was on my way to homelessness.

Confused, frightened, and hopeless; I entered a homeless shelter. My aim, restore my broken life with the goal to find a new home. However, this process was daunting and a prolonged task. During my time at the shelter, It became common knowledge that I was an Air Force veteran, but unfortunately, I did not meet the VA criteria for homelessness. Therefore, I was referred to an agency with a mission to end elder homelessness. Hearth became my advocate and source of hope during this difficult time in my life.

For almost a year I was on an emotional roller coaster, dealing with overwhelming mental and physical challenges. Hearth’s Outreach caseworker helped to stabilize my life by setting up various doctor appointments, taking away the fear of the housing application process, and serving as my advocate with several housing authorities in the city.  Guided by their knowledge, concern, and support, housing became a reality three months later.

The journey from homelessness to housed is often scary and intimidating.  Now I was preparing for life after homelessness.  Being freshly housed created a new challenge. How was I going to make my new house feel like a home?

These fears quickly dissipated on the day I received my new keys.  I was amazed to learn as part of my stabilization and support services from Hearth, I would receive a house warming delivery containing essential bedroom, kitchen, bath, and living room items. The next day, a congratulatory call came from Hearth regarding the housing achievement and included confirmation of the delivery of the furnishings.

I am beyond grateful for Hearth and my case manager for being there every step of the way in my journey from homelessness to finding a home of my own!