Blog: Success Stories

Arnell grew up in a poor neighborhood in Indianapolis during a turbulent time. He was removed from his mother's care at a young age and placed in a foster home where, as the only African American in his community, he never felt comfortable. Looking back, he says he knows how much his foster family cared for him, but at the time, all he wanted to do was go home.

Wanda spent eight years homeless in San Diego. Her health deteriorated badly on the streets, but years of distrusting the system led her to feel that it was still safer to live outdoors than it was to seek help. Over time, outreach workers from PATH, one of the organizations leading the 100,000 Homes Campaign throughout Southern California, met with her on the streets, gradually building a relationship of trust and respect. Finally, Wanda agreed to let them connect her to supportive services and a shot at housing.

Bernard grew up in Southwest Washington, DC before falling into homelessness over five years ago. During that time, he stayed on the streets of Chinatown, near the home of his beloved Washington Wizards basketball team. This December, at the start of an unusually cold winter, Bernard moved into a permanent apartment with the help of Pathways to Housing DC, an organization participating in the 100,000 Homes Campaign in the capital region. His favorite thing about the new space?

Mr. C. was kicked out of a family member's apartment in 1999 when his drinking got out of hand. Since then, he's been living under a bridge in Arlington, VA, just outside the nation's capital. In July of last year, after more than 20 years of alcohol abuse, Mr. C. took his last drink and checked into a long-term shelter and treatment center. He has been sober ever since.