''Housing First'' was their second chance.
We’d like to introduce you to two people for whom the “Housing First” approach built better lives. For them, transitioning to safe, secure housing has had life-changing results.
Meet Herman Aloyo
Herman takes pride in his work at the Mental Health Association in Tulsa.
Six years ago, he went through a divorce. The loss of his family brought about depression and suicidal thoughts – and ultimately homelessness. Herman spent the next year living on the streets and at the Tulsa Day Center for the Homeless.
A case manager there connected Herman with the Mental Health Association. Through the Association, he was able to move into a room at the SafeHaven at the Downtown YMCA. He did contract work through the Association’s work program – tackling various tasks around the housing facilities and offices.
After six months at SafeHaven, he took advantage of the opportunity to move to Walker Hall. As he recovered he began to work part-time for the Association in property maintenance. The Association’s property manager noticed Herman’s abilities and soon hired him as a full-time employee.
Herman has now worked for the Mental Health Association for four years, living in his own apartment and enjoying life one day at a time. Herman is thankful to the Mental Health Association for its services and to those who helped him through the hard times. We’re proud to call Herman another success story.
Meet William Ronk
William was a full-time student at the University of Oklahoma, majoring in Computer Science. A bout with severe depression cost him the ability to communicate. He was left numb, overwhelmed by fear, and homeless.
When he arrived in Tulsa, he walked straight to the Day Center for the Homeless, where a case worker linked him to services for his depression and helped him search for housing. Within two months, William moved into the SafeHaven at the Downtown YMCA, run by the Mental Health Association in Tulsa.
Feeling safe and secure again, William started doing odd jobs while participating in the Association's work employment training program at the SafeHaven and volunteered for the Association as a receptionist. He proved to be a reliable worker, making steady strides toward recovery. Soon he moved into his own place at one of the Association’s independent living apartments.
Today, William works full-time at the Altamont Apartments/12th Street SafeHaven. “I’ve been there,” he says. “I can sympathize with the problems the residents have.”
His future looks bright for the first time in a long time – continuing his job with the Association and possibly returning to college (he was just a year away from his degree when depression took hold of his life).
“I love working [at the Mental Health Association in Tulsa], amongst some of the most generous people I’ve ever known,” he said. “They’ve helped me find and create a home, and helped bring security and opportunities to my life.”