Randy had it rough. Battling depression, he began drinking at a young age and it eventually controlled his life.

He was 51 when he was placed in housing with the help of St. John Center and case manager Sarah Buckler. It was his first home in 20 years.

“Having my own place gives me a very, very peaceful feeling both spiritually and mentally. It gives me peace of mind because I can escape into my own world if I need to,” said Randy in an article published in the September 2011 issue of Daylight, the Center’s printed newsletter.

After getting his apartment, Randy never found himself homeless again. Tiny Herron became Randy’s case manager in April; just about the time he learned that he had a terminal disease. Unfortunately she found him unconscious on the floor of his apartment during a home visit.

Randy was rushed to the hospital where he died August 6 surrounded by family and friends. Tiny, SJC executive director Maria Price and Sarah Buckler (Randy’s first case manager at SJC) all visited him during his hospital stays.

“I was very glad Randy had a home when he died. He was my brother and I am happy he got the support he needed to get housing. It gave me peace that he had a place of his own,” said Rodney, Randy’s twin brother. “Thank God for you all. You provide a great service. Bless you for your help.”

According to Tiny and Rodney, Randy was very grateful for the St. John Center housing program. “He told me he thought St. John Center was a very friendly and helpful place with lots of resources. He said the staff worked with him to improve his life,” said Rodney.

“Housing allowed Randy to rekindle his relationship with his children. It helped him maintain sobriety,” added Tiny.

Randy didn’t like anyone to know he was homeless. “I was always embarrassed by being homeless. I hid it from my family. I kept my homelessness a secret from my brother and my daughters. The pain, shame and guilt of being homeless made me isolate myself,” admitted Randy, who after housing became much more involved in the lives of his children and grandchildren.

Randy sought to repay St. John Center by going outside his comfort zone to speak to others about his personal struggle with homelessness in the hope that his story might keep someone from ending up on the streets. He spoke to a large crowd during St. John Center’s 25th anniversary celebration.

“Talking about it helps me and it helps them,” said Randy. “I absolutely believe my story has touched some of the teenagers I’ve talked to.”

No doubt about it Randy. And your beautiful spirit lives on.

The combination of social services, housing counseling, supportive housing, and services of partner agencies under the roof of a day shelter is a winning combination.  One indicator of success is this — 219 SJC guests moved from homelessness to housing in the fiscal year that just ended.

These 219 men, some on the streets for decades, are now in a stable situation in which they can move forward.  Every story deserves telling, but here’s just one:

Walter worked as a dish washer at a popular restaurant for years.  He typically slept in an alley or empty parking garage because his shift ended in the middle of the night.  He’d come to St. John Center each morning to shower and work on his housing applications.  He always stayed current with his child support payments.  When he visited his daughter, she’d ask, “When do I get to stay with you, Daddy?”

“Soon, sweetie.  You can stay with me someday soon.”

With the help of SJC’s housing counselor, Walter moved into housing this year, representing one of the 219.  But to his daughter, he is the only one.

He stopped by recently to proudly introduce his daughter to staff and report that she stays with him a few nights each week.

St. John Center wants to do more of that kind of work.  Simply put, though, there is no more room.

To address this lack of space, the board unanimously voted to renovate the building to modify existing space and expand square footage in order to increase services.  The renovation project will cost an estimated $775,000.  Those same board members have already committed the first $40,000 to the campaign.

The plan will expand the building to the south and make room for a net increase of six offices, as well as meeting rooms and work spaces for staff and clients.  It is important to note that none of the three options compromise the statuary or windows that help make St. John Center a true sanctuary for 188 homeless men a day.

If you would like to see the plans for the expansion please call 568-6758, and ask for Maria at ext. 21, Keith at ext. 31, or Ron at ext. 29.  Any financial support of the expansion will be yet another way to enable even more homeless men to tackle the barriers that stand between them and housing.

Glenn has been fighting most of his life. He wrestled in high school and then became interested in boxing. He competed as an amateur and then turned professional, amassing a very respectable 29-6 record with 18 knockouts.

Obviously, Glenn has faced some very tough opponents. Televised bouts against Roy Jones Jr. and James Toney, both highly regarded former champions in multiple weight classes, are evidence that Glenn can stand toe-to-toe with the best.

But the toughest opponent he ever faced was drugs and alcohol. That proved to be a combination punch that robbed Glenn of his natural ability and sent him to the canvas for decades.
It is a testament to Glenn’s physical skills that he was able to become a professional boxer despite being a homeless substance abuser. “I had been drinking and drugging my whole life. I started drinking beer on the school bus when I was 15,” said Glenn.

It may have started with beer but Glenn’s addiction escalated to include drugs. Still, it was his personal battles that provided the greatest challenge.

“I had lots of fights outside the ring because I was mad at the world,” Glenn explained. “Most of the fights I got into were my own fault.”

But Glenn is a different man now. He has been sober for almost eight months. Thanks to St. John Center he has an apartment. “St. John Center got me a place which helps me stay sober and off the streets. You did a lot for me over the years,” he said.

Now 53, Glenn first visited St. John Center 15 years ago. He was housed just in time for Christmas in 2013. “Having a home has taught me a lot of things, like being responsible enough to pay the rent on time, feed myself, entertain myself, and keep certain people away. I’m not about to let anyone cost me my apartment,”

“It makes me feel human and more like a man to have my own spot,” added Glenn. “I really like being able to decide when I’m going to eat, take a shower, watch TV, go to bed, and get up in the morning. When you are homeless you are told when you can do everything. Now God and I control of my life.”

Paulette Sublett is Glenn’s housing case manager. “I admire Glenn’s perseverance and ability to be brutally honest with himself. He has stumbled along the way but he always gets back up. He recognizes when he needs help and is willing to do whatever is necessary to get it,” said Paulette. “Glenn has had a long battle but he has emerged victorious. His sobriety is proof that he saw something he wanted and went out and made it happen. The dogged determination he has shown makes me feel good about his future.”

While Glenn does receive disability benefits, he wants to find a job that will allow him to become a productive citizen. “I got help when I needed it and now it’s time for me to do my part,” he said.