Recent Success Stories

JULIAS EARNS HER DEGREE
Julius was a homeless single parent of a five year old daughter when she entered the Leasing Assistance Program offered by Community Housing Network located in Troy. She claims she was overwhelmed and experiencing feelings of hopelessness at that time. Currently she rents a small ranch home in Madison Heights with assistance from CHN. She is sole support for her now seven year old daughter, works part time and goes to college. She was proud to announce recently she has completed her Associates Degree in Accounting from OCC and has plans to continue with her education to complete her degree. She wants everyone at CHN to know how grateful she is for the help she has received over the past years motivating her to new goals and accomplishments. “I would like my daughter to have goals early in her life and not wait until she is thirty-two before she receives her first degree.”

TERRY GETS HER OWN HOME IN HARRISON TWP.
When referred to the program she was in MATTS homeless shelter. She is one of the most gracious and appreciative persons in the program. She is working closely with MI Works (attends workshops and is looking for work) and is very compliant with Mental Health treatment. She is a young grandmother and watches her grandson a few days each week. She wanted to live in Harrison Twp where she grew up but all of the complexes are very expensive because they are on the water. However, she went in to one of them and told her story and they reduced the rent to be within our FMR so she could live there. She fishes in the lake almost daily.  

KRYSTI MOVES INTO A HOME OF HER OWN AND REGAINS HER CONFIDENCE
When Krysti was referred to the program she was in a “home” for young pregnant women. About one week after signing a lease with the program she gave birth to her son (Seth). About 8 or 10 months ago her fiance moved in and the two are struggling to raise the boy together. The boyfriend is a very positive support for her and her confidence as a mother and in general has really increased during the past year.  She is now in cosmetology school and her fiance does temp jobs through Labor Ready after getting laid off from his factory job. One special thing about Krsyti is that she survived a house fire and has significant scarring from the burns – I know this is something that she was very self-conscious about before, but with her increased self-esteem, she seems less concerned about covering up the scars.  

EARL IS NOW ABLE TO SUPPORT HIS FAMILY
Earl & Christina are a married couple in their 40s with a young son and baby daughter. Earl is the client of our program but Tina also has disabilities. Earl is very much a “family man” and is very focused on his dream of being able to support his family independently. Since they moved in their duplex, Earl has done a lot to fix up the yard and unit. The Landlord really appreciates all of Earl’s efforts and constantly praises the family. I know that Earl and Tina are very appreciative of what the MLAP has done for them and Earl is very confortable sharing his story of success with others.

PAUL CONTINUES TO BE SUCCESSFUL WITH OUR PROGRAM
Paul loves the fact that he holds the title of being “the first person accepted into the Macomb LAPs” In his former life, Paul worked in major hospitals with his Masters of Health Administration degree. When he was referred to the program, he was in the MCREST homeless shelter. At one of the Macomb Homeless Coalition meetings a woman from MI Works spoke about this new grant they got for Older Workers. I thought Paul would be a great candidate so I referred him to the woman and he has been working through them for about 8 months now. He has become MUCH more independent. I think the socializing, responsibilities, and structure/schedule have really benefited him. As of late Paul has “joined” a gym and swims regularly which has led to improvements with his numerous physical health issues (back problems, arthritis, etc). Paul is also a cancer survivor.

JOHN GOES FROM SLEEPING ON THE STREET TO KEEPING A GARDEN
John loves to keep a cook and to keep a clean house. Right now he has a little container garden with veggies and herbs but his dream is to have a large, overflowing garden. John has survived some pretty serious vehicle accidents which really limit his mobility, but he still gets around to take care of what he needs to. He rides his bike and takes the bus to his Mental Health Provider every week for group and individual counseling. He also does what he can to take care of his older mother who lives alone. Prior to coming into our program, John was literally sleeping outside – in cemeteries and parks – and often says that one of the things he is most grateful for today is the ability to “clean up” and take a shower every day.