Front Steps is proud of our clients' success in our programs. Take a moment to see the changes that have been made in their lives.
Jimmy
Jimmy is a sixty-year old man with a mild mental-disability who slept beneath bridges or in shelters for ten years and relied on food kitchens and money from odd jobs to barely stay warm and alive. Upon moving into Garden Terrace, he met with a social worker for help applying for food stamps and social security income. He now has a part time job, enough food and a small kitchen in which to cook it. He enjoys taking part in all of Garden Terrace's social activities, and considers it far more than just a place to stay-it is home. A point he proudly makes each time he has the chance to show off his room.
Darrel
Darrel does not remember a life before alcohol. He grew up in a home of physical, emotional and substance abuse-his father gave him shots of alcohol when he was three. He left home at 17 and eked out a living as a machinist despite suffering from a panic disorder. In his early forties, contemplating suicide, he called Alcoholics Anonymous and got into treatment. He moved into Garden Terrace Residences, became a full-time accounting student and sees a future for himself, beginning with passing his courses. He says he has learned to "always take advantage of any break that God puts in front of you, no matter how small."
Juan
After years of homelessness, Juan began meeting with a Front Steps case manager and eventually obtained a room at Garden Terrace. He began to pursue his GED and to teach himself how to use computers, with an eye on earning a certificate in electronics. He sees major changes in his life that have come from having a safe place to sleep at night, including how it helps him to avoid alcohol. "I ran into some friends from the street the other day. They were trying to find clothes and blankets because they knew it was going to freeze that night. I don't do that anymore, I go in my room, go click, click and it's warm."
James
James supported himself for years as a cabinetmaker and, ironically, as a social worker that helped homeless individuals. After many years of building cabinets caused nerve damage in his hands and eventually left him unable to work, James was forced to retire. He soon exhausted all of his resources and savings and became homeless. When he entered case management at ARCH and Caritas, he was merely waiting for his 62 nd birthday so that he could begin receiving SS. Within three months, James moved into permanent housing at Garden Terrace, receiving rental assistance until he began receiving a social security check. Today, at 62, James is receiving his social security benefits and working toward obtaining medical benefits.
Ryan
Ryan became homeless for the first time in his early 40's, and two major blows in quick succession-job loss and divorce-drove him into a state of clinical depression. After a suicide attempt, Ryan committed himself to Austin State Hospital as he struggled to rebuild the value he placed on his life. Upon his release he was referred to ARCH for basic needs services. With his case manager's help, he connected to mental health treatment and medication, weekly counseling, and a part-time job through Texas Department of Protective and Regulatory Services. Ryan moved out of shelter and into public housing and is currently working with MHMR on a plan to return to college to finish his degree in business administration.
Mike
Mike has spent over half his 50 years without a home, and suffers bipolar disorder exacerbated by an alcohol addiction. Although feeling alienated from social service providers-"No one wanted to help me and I didn't want the help"-his array of medical problems forced Mike to seek help. With help from his ARCH case manager, Mike (who cannot read or write) began applying for housing, financial, and medical services to improve his quality of life. Throughout this frequently frustrating process, Mike remained sober for 2 months. A relapse lead Mike to enter an inpatient facility where he now receives treatment for his addiction. He keeps in weekly contact with his case manager and plans to return to the case management program upon his completion of treatment. He says he once envisioned an early death to result from his drinking, but he now looks forward to conquering life's challenges.
Front Steps Client