From Counselor to Client — and Back Again: Karen’s Journey of Healing and Hope

 

Meet Karen, a South Campus client at Haven for Hope. Originally from Mexico, Karen built a career as a substance abuse counselor, dedicating her life to helping others. After facing her own struggles with alcohol, she experienced a period of instability that ultimately led to homelessness.

Karen has now been at Haven for a year, where she has embraced the services, community, and sense of safety offered on campus. She often connects with fellow clients, encouraging them to share their own stories, and hopes to one day return to her profession in counseling. Above all, Karen is grateful to feel seen, valued, and supported as she works toward her next chapter and, eventually, permanent housing.

A Bed for All Leads to Nights of Restful Sleep for South Campus Women

In this episode of The Hope Connection, we meet Joyce, a resilient 72-year-old client staying in Haven for Hope’s South Campus women’s dorm. After losing her husband and struggling to afford housing on her own, Joyce turned to Haven for support. She remembers the shift from sleeping on mats to bunk beds as a turning point—“it felt like home.”

Known lovingly by others as “Mama,” Joyce has become a mentor to younger generations at Haven, offering encouragement and wisdom as they work toward stability. She reminds them that setbacks don’t define them: “If you fall to the ground, you can get up. Just keep getting up, and gradually, you will be back up there.”

Joyce is currently working toward housing, with a strong determination that this will be her final time needing Haven’s services. Her story is one of courage, dignity, and the power of community in the face of life’s challenges.

Veteran’s Retirment Dreams Dashed by Challenging Economy

In this testimonial, we meet Earl, a retired Veteran and former Haven for Hope client. After years of hard work and careful planning, Earl dreamed of enjoying retirement on the road with his truck and camper. But when rising costs and economic challenges quickly drained his savings, he found himself struggling to keep up with rent and eventually living in his truck.

With courage and determination, Earl turned to Haven for Hope. Through Veteran benefits and supportive services, he was able to save money, stabilize his health, and move into housing. Today, Earl is thriving in his own apartment, reflecting on his journey with gratitude and hope for the future. His story is a powerful reminder of how quickly life circumstances can change—and how support, dignity, and perseverance can make all the difference.

“Homelessness can happen to anybody at any time. It isn’t something that we plan for.” – Earl

The Hope Connection

Haven for Hope has launched a new series called The Hope Connection.

10 minutes. One story. Endless hope. The Hope Connection is an inspiring interview series that gives homeless individuals a platform to share their stories in 10-minute conversations. Through personal narratives of resilience, courage, and hope, the series aims to foster empathy, challenge stereotypes, and highlight the humanity behind homelessness. Each episode provides a glimpse into unique journeys, celebrating the strength and spirit of individuals often overlooked by society.

Meet Timothy, a community member currently finding support at Haven. Timothy bravely shares his journey of living with alcoholism and how self-discipline, hope, and the resources at Haven have empowered him to navigate recovery and embrace personal growth. His path began at Haven’s South Campus, eventually leading him to the Pay It Forward program, where he continued building a foundation for lasting change.

As of this interview, Timothy is celebrating an incredible milestone — eight months of sobriety. “They [Haven] will give you the help, but you have to put in the work,” Timothy shares, reflecting on his commitment to his healing journey.

Click here to watch Timothy’s interview.

Jacob and Chelsea, along with their three children, arrived at Haven in 2021. While at Haven, their children attended school, and Chelsea and Jacob worked on their goals of finding stable employment and housing.

They attended parenting and financial literacy classes, attended family activities, and utilized the resources at Haven during their stay.

To hear more about their journey, click here.

A chance encounter gives Rene, a father of six, a chance to rebuild his life. 

Rene was driving to an appointment when he passed Haven for Hope’s 22-acre campus near downtown. He slowed down to ask people walking by about Haven and if they knew if Haven took families.

What Rene didn’t know was that the people who stopped when he pulled up were from Haven’s leadership team. “Yes, Haven does take in families,” they enthusiastically replied, and they told him what documents he would need to bring for enrollment.

Later that day, Rene returned to Haven with his children and enrolled in Haven’s Family Resource program, a 92-bed shelter that provides meals, clothing, necessities, and, most importantly, employment and housing resources.

To learn more about Rene’s story, click here!

More than 15 years on the streets and then to a one-bedroom apartment…this is Nate’s story

Nate lived on the streets off and on for more than 15 years. Our Outreach Manager, Pete, built a relationship with Nate, checking in on him for about five years. Pete encouraged him to try Haven and access our wrap-around services.

One day, Nate told Pete he was ready. “It’s time for a change. I can’t do this anymore,” Nate said.

Nate came to Haven and within four months, he had his ID back, had reinstated social security benefits, took some budgeting classes, and reinstated his healthcare benefits. He was housed through a program between Haven and Opportunity Home.

To hear Nate’s story, click below.

Harmony is taking classes and utilizing Haven’s resources to regain her independence and find housing.

Destin is one of Haven’s Young Adult clients. Haven has seen an increase in young adults experiencing homelessness in our community. In FY 2023, Haven served 789 young adults aged 18-24, a 31% increase from the previous year.

Haven launched a Young Adult program, which includes 24 beds in our low-barrier side of campus, the Courtyard, and 28 beds on our Transformational Campus.

The young adult program includes specialty case management, gender-neutral restrooms, and common areas with TVs, gaming devices, and computers.

Felisha shares her Haven journey. She was a client twice, and now wants a career where she can give back to those struggling with addiction and homelessness.