Personal stories connect people on a far deeper level than broad generalities. Here please find eleven real stories about residents who have found their way to Beyond Shelter’s Broadway Village II. All the names in the stories below have been changed for privacy.

Caryn and Eric Hastings

The Hastings family has 4 children; 2 sons, ages 16 and 14, and 2 daughters, ages 15 and 12 years old.  The Hastings family became homeless when Ms. Hastings fell and injured her back.  They fell behind on the rent and were given a notice to move out of their apartment.  Mr. And Mrs. Hastings called around for assistance and were referred to Catholic Charities.  Catholic Charities provided assistance with short-term motel lodging, and then the family was referred to a local emergency shelter, Gramercy Place Shelter (operated by Jewish Family Services). 

The Hastings family has a monthly income of $980. from their Calworks benefits and Mr. Hasting’s part-time earnings of $7.00 per hour. 

The Hastings family was referred to the Housing First Program by the Gramercy Place Shelter.  The family was enrolled into the Housing First Program on March 14, 2006.  The family has been homeless for nearly one year.  Mr. And Mrs. Hastings are receiving housing assistance, case management, employment services and money management. 

The Hastings family has been selected to move into the Broadway Village II Apartments.  They will continue to receive supportive services for 6 months after they move into their unit.  They are in need of many household items.  Meanwhile, they plan to continue to work towards securing stable employment and improving their quality of life.

Madison Shore

Ms. Shore is a 50-year-old single mother of a 15-year-old daughter.  The family became homeless in April 2005 after fleeing a domestic violence situation, wherein both mother and daughter were threatened with a firearm.  Subsequently, Ms. Shore lost her job as a Dental Assistant, which she held for 7 years, due to threats and constant phone falls from her batterer.  Ms. Shore and her daughter entered a domestic violence shelter, Casa de Alergia Transitional Shelter, on April 27, 2005.  The family received counseling services from Pacific Clinics.  Ms. Shore currently is employed as a Surgical Dental Assistant.

Casa De Alergria referred this family to Beyond Shelter’s Housing First Program for homeless families on February 2, 2006.  Ms. Shore is receiving case management, financial planning, tenant/landlord responsibility training, and advocacy as needed.  The services will continue for 6 months after she moves into the Broadway Village II Apartments. 

Ms. Shore is a two-time breast cancer survivor.  She continues to be motivated and she is actively participating in her case management plans.  Regardless of her past history of domestic violence and severe health problems, she is anxious to live independently in her own place.

Derek Farmer

Derek is a 30-year-old single father of 2 daughters, ages 6 and 5 years old.  Mr. Farmer and his 2 daughters are currently residing at Beyond Shelter’s Courtyard Apartments Transitional Shelter.  Mr. Farmer is currently homeless due to an eviction that occurred soon after his wife left him.  He was unable to pay the rent and all of their bills alone.  She left him for another man and became pregnant and no longer wants anything to do with her 2 daughters.   After months of struggling and missing work because of no child care, Mr. Farmer lost his job and was forced to move out of his apartment.  Mr. Farmer then moved from one family member to the next.  He and his children were finally forced to sleep in his car.  He found himself downtown where he was able to receive a referral to Beyond Shelter through the Weingart Access Center. 

Mr. Farmer was enrolled into the Housing First Program on January 31, 2006 and placed into the Beyond Shelter Courtyard Apartments Transitional Shelter.  He participated in the Employment Program and is now working part-time as a security guard for the ACE Security Services. 

Mr. Farmer is receiving a variety of social services from his case manager.  He is an excellent father and takes very good care of his 2 daughters.  He is hoping to work full-time in the near future.  Mr. Farmer is very motivated and has been successful in completing goals and budgeting his income. 

Sarah Jones

Sarah Jones is a 19-year-old single mother of one daughter, a 3-year-old.  Ms. Jones is currently staying at Gramercy Place Shelter.  Prior to going into the shelter, Ms. Jones was a ward of the court, having a history of living in the foster care system. 

Despite her unstable life, she was able to emancipate from foster care and graduate high school.  She has participated in employment programs, parenting classes, and worked with the Boys and Girls Club.  Ms. Jones has exhibited great parenting skills and her daughter seems to be well adjusted to her surroundings. 

Ms. Jones was enrolled into the Housing First Program in October 2005.  She is receiving case management, financial planning services, and tenant education.  Beyond Shelter has secured housing for this family at the new Broadway Village II Apartments.  She will receive 6 months of case management after she has moved into the unit.  She will also continue to receive employment services in order to secure fulltime employment. 

Barbara Ochs

Ms. Ochs is a 44-year-old single mother of 3 children, 2 sons, ages 16 and 10, and a daughter, age 14 years old.  Ms. Ochs relocated from Atlanta, Georgia on October 10, 2005.  Ms. Ochs moved to Los Angeles after the tragic death of her nephew.  She and her children lived with several relatives but soon she had to move out of their homes. 

Ms. Ochs is currently living at the Gramercy Place Transitional Shelter.  She was referred to the Housing First Program and enrolled on March 8, 2006.  She has demonstrated a strong commitment toward achieving her goals, improving the lives of her children and her own well-being.  Ms. Ochs was recently diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy.  Ms. Ochs’ monthly income is $790. from public assistance.  She is in the process of applying for disability benefits. 

Ms. Ochs will continue to receive on-going social services before and after she moves into the Broadway Village II Apartments. 

Sharon Galleger and Avery Del Cid

Sharon Galleger and Avery Del Cid are the parents of 2 sons, ages 4 and 3 years old.  They have been residing at the Beyond Shelter Courtyard Apartments Transitional Shelter since December 2005.  The family was enrolled into the Housing First Program in October 2005. 

Mr. Del Cid lost his job due to a major accident on the job that left him disabled.  He was not able to provide for his family and they became homeless. He received injuries that affected his heart.  Throughout his disability, the insurance company has not taken responsibility for his injuries.  Mr. Del Cid has recently had an emergency heart surgery at USC Medical Center.  He is recuperating well. 

Meanwhile, Ms. Galleger has recently been hired by Vons Market in the bagging department with the opportunity to move into a cashier position.  Ms. Galleger has actively taken steps to provide for her family.  In the future she will pursue a college education and get a degree in Business Administration.

The family’s basic income is Ms. Galleger’s income of approximately $850. per month.  Beyond Shelter Housing First Program services will continue to provide case management services for 6-months after the move into the Broadway Village II Apartments. 

Ellen Brickman

Ellen Brickman and her one daughter, age 13-years-old, relocated from Texas after suffering from the effects of Hurricane Rita.  The family became homeless as a result of the hurricane.  She was afraid to remain in Texas so she was willing and ready to make a new start in Los Angeles, although she knew that she would be homeless in Los Angeles as well. 

The family came to Los Angeles in hopes of starting over, but they found it difficult to obtain affordable housing on the family’s limited income.  While looking for units and searching for help, Ms. Brickman depleted most her savings on paying for shelter. 

Ms. Brickman is excited that she has been enrolled into the Housing First Program and also she has been selected to move into the Broadway Village II Apartments.  She looks forward to having some stability in her life.  She is in need of household goods and furnishings. 

Olga Wynn

Ms. Olga Wynn is a single mother of one son, age 14.  Ms. Wynn and her son lived with her mother until the mother passed away.  Subsequently, Ms. Wynn and her son had to move out when the property was sold.  As a result of the death of her mother, Ms. Wynn became homeless.  Although functional, Ms. Minniefield suffers from mild retardation and will not likely increase her limited income.

Ms. Wynn has been homeless for approximately two years and she looks forward to live a stable life.  She has no household furnishings.  She is excited to move into Broadway Village II Apartments.

Delila Paradiso

Ms. Delila Paradiso is a 45-year-old, single mother 2 children, a son, age, 7 and 1 daughter, age 10.  The family became homeless when she could not pay her rent due to poor money management.  She accepted the fact that she made bad choices that led to her homelessness.  Ms. Paradiso would like to have “another chance”.  She feels she has learned from her mistakes and would like to have a home for her children.  She is currently employed at Robinsons-May Company earning a monthly income of $1297. 

Ms. Paradisa has been homeless since August 2005.  She has been enrolled in the Housing First Program since November 2005.  Ms. Wadsworth is a devoted mother and she is trying very hard to improve her quality of life.  She is an enthusiastic participant of the Housing First Program.  She has successfully set many goals and accomplished those goals.  She has saved $2700. that she hopes to use towards her move-in cost into Broadway Village II Apartments.

Michele Rily

Michele Rily is a single mother of one child, a son, age 3.  Ms. Rily got married when she was a teenager, but things did not work out.  When she and husband divorced, Ms. Rily was left without support systems and soon ended up homeless.

Despite being homeless, Ms. Rily enrolled in school and she is now employed full-time.  Ms. Rily earns minimum wage and has not been able to afford fair market rental housing.  When Ms. Rily was enrolled into the Housing First Program, she was very excited that she would finally receive assistance to help her get back on track with her life.  She is an enthusiastic participant that looks forward to moving into her new home at Broadway Village II Apartments.  Ms. Rily has no household belongings.

Timothy Richard and Alissa Grey

Mr. Timothy Richard and Ms. Alissa Grey are the parents of 2 children, a daughter, age 8 and a son, age 3.  Two years ago, the family became homeless as a result of some legal problems that Mr. Richard had.  The family ended up seeking services for shelter at the Union Rescue Mission in Skid Row.  The family was referred to Beyond Shelter for crisis intervention services.  Due to the limited shelters that provide shelter for men and women with children, the family had to be split up.  Ms. Grey and her children are staying at Testimonial Community Love Center and Mr. Skinner is staying at PATH Shelter. 

The family was referred to the Housing First Program on June 6, 2006.  The family is receiving case management, financial planning and money management, tenant education, and advocacy.  Currently, the family receives public assistance and Mr. Skinner is receiving employment services from Beyond Shelter.  The family is a prospective tenant for the Broadway Village II Apartments.  The family has no other support systems and no household belongings.  They look forward to living a stable lifestyle.