"Health Care for the Homeless changed our lives"
When Celeste and Robert first came to Health Care for the Homeless, their lives were falling apart. They were homeless, unemployed, and on the brink of losing their children.
Listen to Celeste and Robert explain how Health Care for the Homeless helped them overcome 25 years of addiction, health problems, and homelessness to get off the street and back into the mainstream.
Today, Celeste and Robert are gainfully employed, back in their own housing, and bursting with pride over their three children – all of whom are in college. In fact, their oldest just graduated this spring with a Bachelor's degree from Morgan State University.
Help people like Celeste and Robert by making a tax-deductible contribution today.
More Client Success Stories
Ernest weighed 350 pounds when he first came to Health Care for the Homeless. He suffered from schizophrenia, diabetes, and hypertension and lived most of his adult life in shelters or on the streets. HCH helped him move into his own apartment and get his medical and mental health problems under control. No longer homeless, Ernest lived in the same apartment for a decade, ate a healthy diet, and reached his personal goal of 198 pounds.
John first came to Health Care for the Homeless struggling with high blood sugar and addiction. HCH helped him find temporary rest at a shelter, where his blood sugar was monitored, and he entered HCH’s State-Certified Outpatient Addiction Treatment program. Today, he has enjoyed years of recovery, is back in his own home, and serves on the Board of Directors for a local nonprofit organization.
Betty got treatment at Health Care for the Homeless for a range of health problems. She received glasses, was stabilized on medications, and qualified for temporary disability benefits. At age 52, Betty started a full time job with the residential program she credits with saving her life. She reflects: “I want to help others and let them know life can be so much better.”
Rhoda White, a self-taught artist, struggled to overcome abuse, bi-polar disorder and long periods of homelessness. She found help at Health Care for the Homeless. Rhoda finds solace and stability through her art, which incorporates discarded objects to capture great emotion. “I want people to know that they can overcome their past,” Rhoda implores. “Each of us can work to make the ugly beautiful once again.”
Wil struggled throughout his life with medical problems, learning disabilities, and addiction. He always found work, but rarely earned enough to afford housing. When a Health Care for the Homeless outreach worker met him, he had been living in a park for eight years. HCH placed Wil in permanent housing and helped him get medical care and addiction treatment. Today, Wil is stably housed, a model tenant, and an engaged member of his community.
Donna experienced homelessness after suffering years of childhood abuse. She spent time in shelters and on the streets before coming to Health Care for the Homeless. At HCH, Donna received treatment for hypertension, obesity, anemia, and bi-polar disorder. She moved into her own apartment in 1997. Today, Donna is a tireless anti-poverty advocate, helps others register to vote, and serves on the HCH Board of Directors.
Deirdre, a single mother of five daughters, lost her federal housing subsidy due to redevelopment. For two years, she and her children stayed in shelters or with family and friends. When first engaged by an HCH outreach worker, neither Deirdre nor her children were enrolled in Medicaid. HCH placed the family in housing and restored Medicaid and cash assistance benefits. Happy in their new home, the children are thriving in school
Philly heard voices from an early age – a condition neither sufficiently identified nor treated until an HCH outreach worker met him in a downtown park. Shortly thereafter, he was diagnosed with hypertension, diabetes, asthma, and mental illness. With HCH’s help, Philly qualified for Medicaid and moved into housing. He receives treatment for his medical problems and is pursuing his GED.