It would be nice to think we all tow the same line at the start of life. That we all start at the same place with the same conditions, and have the same opportunities and challenges. But as these stories illustrate, this is not the case. Many of the stories shared on this website have happy endings. But not all of them do. And that’s one of the problems with homelessness they can’t plan; they can’t prepare; and they can’t rely on any of the routines and expectations that support most of us from day to day. All they can do is hope that something will change, that someone will help.

LA CASA TRANSITIONAL REHABILITATION PROGRAM (TRP)

When Dwayne Bates arrived at La Casa Transitional Rehabilitation Program he was homeless, jobless, an addict, and was angry with everyone, including his family. It was not until much later in his recovery process that he admitted he was at La Casa due to his own bad choices. Mr. Bates began to accept responsibility for his actions and let go of his misguided anger and resentment. Through counseling, and support groups he began to understand that making choices – good or bad – is a lifelong process. Fortunately for Mr. Bates, most decisions have an upside. Through counseling and other interventions, he received the tools necessary to succeed. He welcomed the positive improvements and was encouraged by his peers and the Coalition staff. Today, Mr. Bates is employed at Trinity Two as a Maintenance Worker and has been clean (no drugs no arrests). He improved his relationship with his family and lives with them until he can become financially stable. In the words of Mr. Bates, “I am grateful for my stay at La Casa because I was able to learn more about my problems and could identify with individuals with similar issues.”

MICKEY LELAND HOUSE

Anthony Gibson is the youngest of seven children and from a single parent home. Starting at the age of 15, Anthony was in and out of the criminal justice system. He finished the 11th grade and later obtained his GED. Fast forward to adulthood, he is married with children but no longer has contact with any of the members in his family. On October 7, 2009, due to numerous parole violations, he was ordered to stay at Mickey Leland House and later granted an extension for 30 days until he could find a place to live. While at Mickey Leland, he was angry and resented participating in mandatory support groups and other activities that were necessary for him to make improvements. Although he made some improvements to change his negative outlook on his life; it took a while for him to follow his individual treatment plan. With continued support he began to make positive changes. His positive change in attitude was immediately noticed by staff and his peers. He later found a job and saved his earnings.  He made so much progress in the program; he was considered a role model. On February 6 after 5 months in the program, he was discharged and moved to the Emery Work Bed Program managed by the Coalition.   

THE VIRGINIA WILLIAMS FAMILY RESOURCE CENTER

In 2008, Mr. and Mrs. Dumbuya and their two children arrived in the U.S. to stay with a close relative. During this time they established permanent residency, and enrolled one child in high school and the other in college. Unfortunately, in December 2009 their relative could not extend their stay and gave them until the end of January 2010 to move. The Dumbuya’s went to the Virginia Williams Family Resource Center to get help in finding an apartment. The Dumbuya’s were assigned a Case Manager who help them explore housing options and provided them with a list of affordable apartments. After searching for apartments and filling out several applications, they were finally approved to move into their own place. However, they needed to have a security deposit. Their Case Manager worked out the necessary paperwork, through our main office and the Dumbuya’s received a security deposit, bed vouchers, and information on where they could obtain furniture. Trying to weave your way through various systems and procedures is no easy task, especially when you are without a permanent roof over your head, from another country, and have two children in school. The Dumbuya’s were focused, followed the guidance of their Case Manager and were able to move in their new home on February 1st.  

VALLEY PLACE FAMILY APARTMENTS 

Josie Cherenfant is a single mother with two young daughters. For the last six years she was renting a room from friends until they informed her they were moving to Miami, Florida. Josie had only one month to make other living arrangements. She worked part-time and could not afford to pay rent so she tried to move in with family or friends but unfortunately they had no to room for her and her children. One day while running errands, she decided to visit the Virginia Williams Family Resource Center. While there, she was able to speak with a counselor and complete an application. It turns out that she made a good decision; she was later referred to the Valley Place Family Apartments. She and her children moved into a two bedroom apartment on May 21, 2009. The children were excited to have their own beds and mom was glad her children would have a safe place to live. Since moving into Valley Place, Ms. Cherenfant has steadily worked towards stabilizing her family, and with assistance developed a financial plan to pay off her debt. Ms. Cherenfant is now enrolled in a Medical Assistant Program at Everest Institute. She has received B’s in all her classes and is expected to graduate in June 2010. Ms. Cherenfant’s ultimate goal is to become self-sufficient.

SPRING ROAD FAMILY APARTMENTS 

This story is about a woman we will call BW. BW and her two sons ages 15 and 16 transferred from DC General Shelter to Spring Road Family Apartments in the spring of 2008. BW immediately showed herself to be a resident who followed the rules and a leader to the other residents. Once BW settled into her new environment, she began a work training program. Through this program she became an Administrative Assistant at Catholic Charities. She was very excited about her office responsibilities and often returned home to talk about the work she had done at the office. After BW completed her internship, Catholic Charities hired her full-time. Her life was becoming more stable and she and her sons remained active in the church. One of her sons enjoyed playing sports while the other was a phenomenal artist. In August 2009, BW left Spring Road and moved into her own apartment. She was a model resident, and continued to stay in contact with many of the families at Spring Road. Towards the end of 2009 BW became too sick to work and resigned from her job. She was hospitalized in December, and passed away in early 2010. Her funeral was attended by many past and present clients from Spring Road. Her sons are now living with family members. Although BW has left us, while she was here she was an inspiration to her children and others.

WEBSTER HOUSE

Daamon Patterson was from a middle class family where he often traveled and was exposed to various cultures and people.  At the age of 16, he became involved with drugs and alcohol. After graduating from high school in 1982, he was accepted into college at Howard University in Washington, DC.  While attending college, he was introduced to cocaine. Over the next twenty-five years he committed crimes, sold and used drugs, and was in an out of prison. He was also disconnected from the family whom he was once close to. In 2008 after a felony charge, Daamon decided it was time to change the course of his life or he would end of dead or spend the rest of his life in prison. Ironically the very system that put him in jail was the same system he sought help from. The courts obliged and sentenced him to 90 days at the Salvation Army Harbor Lights Inpatient drug program.

Mr. Patterson knew he needed help for longer than 90 days and later transferred to Webster House, a transitional housing program tailored to the needs of men who need substance abuse treatment or are in other crises situations. While at Webster House, he became involved with Project Empowerment and moved from Webster House to Samaritan Inn Independent Living Program. Daamon is currently employed at the District Department of the Environment (DDOE), and attended school at the Heavy Equipment Training Academy (HETA) to get his commercial driver’s license. Mr. Patterson is a Record Management Supervisor and manages eight employees. He moved back to his family home and is in the process of taking over the mortgage.   Mr. Patterson states “I am forever indebted to all those who helped and assisted me in my process.”