Samaritan House Greeley on the Guadalupe Campus offers a transitional housing program where residents work with case managers to secure housing. Residents earn income, save money and reestablish themselves during their stay. Meals and laundry services are provided onsite to eliminate barriers along the way.
Gabe found his way to Samaritan House Greeley with little confidence in himself and didn’t know where else to turn. He shared his story and the big and small ways that his stay in the housing program changed his life.
“Once I start moving forward, I don’t look back.
When I first moved into Samaritan House Greeley, I was full of shame. I could not believe that I had reached a point where I had nowhere else to sleep. I felt like a total a failure and was so nervous about seeking help from Catholic Charities. After reaching out, it was a quick process that feels like a blur. I was so nervous to enter the men’s dorms for the first time. After I claimed my bunk, I promised myself that this would just be temporary.
During my first week at the shelter, the staff treated me with so much respect. They looked me in the eye, remembered my name and did not treat me like the failure I felt like. I remember one staff member telling me, ‘This is just a bump in the road, it’s not your entire story.’ That helped change my perspective to see how this was an opportunity for a fresh start, and I wanted to give it my all.
Once I got a job working overnights that was all I focused on. I would ask for as many hours as I could get so that I could save the money for an apartment of my own. Having the same place to come back to every night provided the security I needed to focus on my job. After months of the same routine — sleep, work, eat, repeat — I had saved enough to start looking for an apartment.
The Catholic Charities’ team helped me find an apartment and, after touring it, I felt so hopeful that my hard work had paid off. I told the staff as soon as I got approved and everyone was so excited for me.
Everyone at Samaritan House Greeley has a big heart and does their best to work with what they have. I am so grateful for the relationships I built with the staff and other residents; they helped me get through a really tough time.
Four months after experiencing homelessness for the first time, I was back in a place of my own. I moved out with a big box of home goods and a bed and dresser set was delivered to my apartment, making it feel more like home. This place was a steppingstone for me, and I am so grateful for the staff that celebrated every step of my journey with me. I truly believe now that I am not a failure, just someone who hit a bump in the road.”