Helen Keller once said, “Although the world is full of suffering, it is also full of overcoming it.” In a year where suffering and uncertainty has been a reoccurring theme; resilience and strength has also emerged. This rings true for one of our new program participants who has overcome the most incredible odds and recently has secured housing through HACSB’s Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) program. A program in partnership with non-profit organization, Foothill AIDS Project (FAP), offers rental assistance and supportive services to persons diagnosed with HIV/AIDS. FAP assesses the applicant’s duration of participation in their case management program and facilitates location of suitable housing to meet the clients’ needs.
For purposes of anonymity, program participant Jane Doe, a 57-year old woman, who for 30 years battled a heroin addiction. After hitting rock bottom and mandated to attend drug court for two years, Ms. Doe made the decision she had enough of living this type of life on the streets. For the last three years, Ms. Doe has maintained her sobriety by participating in a Steps for Life program. During her program participation she ended a toxic long-term relationship and began to receive mentorship through the 12-Step Narcotics Anonymous and Alcohol Anonymous programs. Ms. Doe went from attending the support groups to leading them. She also graduated from the Mental Health Inc./San Bernardino County Probation PRIDE program where she received California State Senate recognition for her program participation. Along with these accomplishments, Ms. Doe also earned an Administrative Assistant Associates Degree and is currently enrolled in college while maintaining a 3.0 GPA.
Ms. Doe never had a permanent home of her own until moving into a HOPWA unit. She is very proud of her many achievements in the recent years, but she is most proud to have a home of her own. She told FAP, “It is by the grace of God, FAP, and the Housing Authority that I am where I am today!”
Congratulations to Ms. Doe. We wish her the best of luck on all her future endeavors.