When I was homeless, I had a social worker from Bread for the City who helped me. First, she put me in a hotel. A month later, she got me into St. John’s program and they helped me get a place.
I was glad to get help because I wasn’t bathing or taking care of myself. They also helped me with my drinking – I needed help with that. St. John’s took me in for housing and helped with my drug problem. I stayed in the hospital for two days with my social worker. After another month, I was housed.
It was a process, but it was worth it.
The shelter I had been staying in only let me take one shower a week. Can you believe that? I was menstruating and I could only shower once a week! I had to wash myself at bus stations and at Union Station. I had to panhandle to buy my cycle supplies.
Where am I now? I love it!
I’m off the streets; I’ll be 61 in December. I was on the streets for 35 years. I turned 43 in my first year of housing.
