Guest Stories

A message of hope and healing. This inspiring speech was given to our shelter guests by a former guest and housing client.

Introduction:

“In this world nothing is given to you, if you want something you need to go out and get it. Luckily there are phenomenal people and organizations who dedicate their lives to helping people achieve their full potential. My name is Adam (name changed) and this is my experience with struggle, addiction, and the help I got specifically from the Hospitality House.

Main Point 1:

Traumatic events that have happened and/or decisions we have made have all happened to us and brought us here to the Hospitality House in search for some sort of security, looking for some help whether it be food, shelter, help finding work, someone to tell us everything will be okay, or all of the above. In my life a fifteen year drug addiction had created a destruction no hurricane, tornado, fire, flood or earthquake could never match. I lost all help from my family and had no real friendships. I was in and out of jails, courtrooms, and rehabs. I had no control over my life. Every day was a fight for basic needs but drugs came before those further deteriorating my body, mind, and spirit. What I have learned is that it doesn’t matter how hard you fall as long as you dust yourself off and get back up.

Main Point 2:

I was desperate, alone, hopeless, and afraid. Even though I wasn’t currently in a jail cell, it felt just like one. Talking about my situation led to someone referring me to the Hospitality House, an unknown and mysterious place I had never heard of before. When I first came here it was such a relief to have a safe place to get grounded and I actually felt welcomed for the first time in who knows how long. My first week at the Hospitality House was basically spent recuperating and coming to terms with everything that had happened and what I had done to be in this situation of complete desperation. Which looking back, this was probably the hardest part of my journey from losing everything until now.

Main Point 3:

One of my main goals was to have my own residence. The Hospitality House had just started the Rapid Rehousing program. I immediately inquired about the requirements to be a part of this program. The main requirement was a source of income. I went to my old boss and got my construction job back. Once I could prove an income and fill out some paperwork was approved for funding. Once I was approved Tom went out looking very hard to find me a place of residence that would fit my needs, not an easy and quick thing to do. We found a place in Nevada City that fit my needs. I paid a low deposit and the Rapid Rehousing program covered my first month’s rent for me to allow for me to get back caught up after moving in. It seems just when everything is going according plan life throws a wrench in it.

Unexpectedly both my income sources ended and was in jeopardy of losing everything I worked so hard for again. I spent every hour I would have spent working, at the Career Center looking for job opportunities, filing out job applications, following up on previous applications I had turned in already. After a little while feelings of defeat and hopelessness started to set in once again, but I kept on not willing to give up. I had done this too many times before to know that it wouldn’t solve anything. From the hard work I had done and was still doing my parents out of the blue decided to take a chance on me once again and paid my rent for a month while I was looking for work. During this time my persistence paid off and I found a part time job at Staples which I love and got my financial aid reinstated to go back to college and finish my degree.

Life has its ups and downs and can change directions at the drop of a hat. If you make a mistake learn from it, if you fall pick yourself back up, and if you need help ask for it. Through my experience I have learned that as much as I would like, I can’t do everything on my own and there are numerous people in our community who dedicate their lives to helping others. Because of these people in particular the Hospitality House I have had the opportunity to learn and grow physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to speak with you tonight and no matter how hard things get never give up.”