A jovial, outspoken man of faith, you would never know that Bob had been homeless and living in encampments for more than 30 years. After living in every major city in the United States, Bob suffered three strokes which left him partially paralyzed, for which he did not have any medical insurance.

He explains that “the main problem with being on the streets is that you lose your identity.” It is virtually impossible to operate and gain access to social services in society without identification, which Bob had not had since the 1970s (he was unable to remember his social security number). While still in the hospital in Austin, Bob was visited by Lindsey, Front Steps’ Recuperative Care Program (RCP) Manager at the time, who interviewed him and invited him to participate in the program. The 2.5 months he spent in the RCP allowed him to rehabilitate and receive appropriate medical care, for which he notes that he is “so thankful that Front Steps rescued [him].”

Bob attributes his current status to the “big family” that Front Steps became to him, proclaiming that “Front Steps restored my faith in humanity and brought me back to life.” For the past year, he has been meeting with his RCP case managers, first Kameron, who assisted him with obtaining identification, a disability bus pass, a primary care clinic, Supplemental Security Income, and Medicaid. Bob then began working with his RCP transitional Case Manager, Jen, and moved into the Tejas Transitional House, where he says he able to get healthy while also getting used to being on his own. In his current housing at Skyline Terrace, which provides permanent supportive housing, he receives support from RCP Case Manager Intern Mary. According to Bob, “Front Steps got me this beautiful place…they treat us like gold here.”

He is an avid reader of the many stacks of books he owns, and especially finds strength from reading the Bible. On his past experiences and what it takes to make a positive change, he notes that “God rids the desire to do bad. If you want to change the world, you have to start with yourself.”

We are able to help people like Bob transition out of homelessness because of the support from people like you. If you are interested in making a financial contribution to help us create more success stories, please visit http://www.frontsteps.org/how-to-help/donate/why-support-front-steps.html. Thank you for helping us help people like Bob!

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