Testimonials
Basil
Basil has never been known to stay in one place. "Traveling fascinates me. I love seeing the different places and people," he says. "I'm known as the 'traveling man.'"
Originally from Brooklyn, New York, Basil traveled all over the United States working in landscaping and other physical jobs. It was during this time he began to experience pain in his hip from a long-term battle with arthritis. After moving to Colorado, he started having trouble maintaining employment because of his medical issues and was told about HomewardBound.
"I was looking for work and looking for a place to live, but I couldn't do much because of my hip problems." He soon was able to find work through Rocky Mountain SER while he was staying at the shelter. (Service, Employment, Redevelopment is a community service and work-based training program for low-income persons aged 55 and older).
From there, staff at HomewardBound informed him of an opening at Pathways Village Apartments. "I'd say within two weeks of my appointment I had everything all set," Basil says, sharing how HomewardBound helped him throughout the process. "They are dynamite people. They're experienced in dealing with people like me. It was a real blessing to stay there and see the way they're growing."
On June 17th, 2019, he had a lease and keys in hand. The next day he had surgery on his hip and was able to return to his new apartment - which had already been furnished with help from HomewardBound staff and friends.
After everything he's went through, he says he's learned to see things a different way as he experiences living alone for the first time in 35 years. "This is my home," he says, crossing his arms with a smile. "Now I'm the 'retired traveling man.'"
Katherine’s was one of 12 stories we shared for the 2019 holidays. Click the button below to see them on YouTube.
Angie
“I call this is my midlife crisis,” Angie says with a smile. She and her husband of 10 years have been staying at HomewardBound since last fall. While they are grateful for the shelter and meals, they miss the privacy of the apartment they used to share.
Angie and her husband are in recovery from alcohol and drug use. Periods of stability have been interspersed with times of substance use and treatment.
Now, Angie is charting a new course for her future. She is drawing on her strengths to move toward regaining and maintaining stable housing – strengths like her work ethic. While raising her three children as a single mom, Angie held two full-time jobs. Now she stays busy volunteering at the shelter. She works at the reception desk, manages donations, assists new shelter guests as they fill out intake packets, and helps wherever needed. She provides valuable service to HomewardBound.
Angie is also using this time to train for a new career. She just graduated from Personal Care Providers training at the Western Colorado Area Health Education Center. Next, she will practice her skills as an apprentice in long-term care facilities. In July, Angie will start Certified Nursing Assistant classes.
A career in a helping profession is a natural fit for Angie. Along with the education from her courses, she brings the benefit of life lessons learned while overcoming adversity.