Just like there are many journeys into homelessness, there are many pathways out of homelessness. For Danny and Latoya, their journeys couldn’t look more different, and yet, they both came to The Crossing and found the support they needed to change their lives.
539 households from the Mission obtained housing last year—the most ever!
Danny
The Journey In
Danny struggled with addiction for 15 years, using substances like opiates, heroin and fentanyl, which also spiraled into involvement in gangs, robbery and vehicle thefts and homelessness.
“I spent nights under a bridge during a storm. I lived on the road in the driver’s seat of stolen vehicles,” Danny remembered. “I was headed somewhere bad, fast.”
Danny was faced with a possible prison sentence and knew he needed to do something different. It was by the grace of God, an email to Harvest Farm and the mercy of a judge that spared him from going to prison. The alternative? To complete five years of probation and the New Life Program at Denver Rescue Mission.
“I have caused so much damage to families, to innocent people, and to people just trying to do their jobs,” Danny said. “If I’m not doing something to actively compensate for all the damage I’ve done, then I’ll have trouble living with myself.”
The Pathway Out
Once Danny came through our doors, he experienced a transformation beyond anything he could have imagined.
“It was a matter of EMDR therapy, church and finding some form of purpose in life to keep moving forward,” he explained.
Through the support of staff at the Mission and other participants in the program, Danny found the healthy community he needed and experienced mental, emotional and spiritual transformation.
“Everybody played a role and was vital. I started praying, getting back into my Bible and going to church every week,” he said.
“The work that my counselor and I have done, like, changing my life or saving my life doesn’t even cut it. We have completely rewired my brain wire by wire.”
Part of Danny’s purpose now is to help others who are also in recovery. He recently graduated from the New Life Program, became a certified peer recovery coach, is the sober living assistant house manager for the place he is living and hopes to open his own LLC for recovery coaching.
“My recovery isn’t the year of me being at the Mission. It’s the last eight years of me; it’s progressive,” he shared.
“I was never sure if I could or not, but I don’t care how many obstacles are in the way, if you have a destination and every day you continue toward that destination, there’s nowhere else you will end up other than there.”
Danny’s Graduation
“It was more like we did it and less like I did it because everybody had an active role and put more effort in than their job requires. These people have the heart that is required to change people’s lives. There’s value in finding a place that truly cares about the people they’re serving and then to fill a room up and celebrate that together, that’s really cool.”
Danny
Top Causes of Homelessness in Denver
- Relationship problems or family breakups
- Asked to leave or evicted
- Lost a job/could not find work
- Unable to pay rent or mortgage
- Alcohol or substance abuse problems
- Abuse or violence at home
Latoya
The Journey In
As a single mother, Latoya’s whole world is her 16-year-old daughter, Karrieyonna. When COVID hit and she was having some health issues and couldn’t work, Latoya found herself moving in with her mom and, after issues arose, moving in with her sister. She knew it was what she needed to do to take care of her daughter.
“I do it for my daughter because she’s the only one who matters. One thing I’ve always told her is, ‘Oh your mama is gonna find a way.’ And every time I find a way.”
Latoya
Yet after a year and a half, family issues persisted, and they needed to find a new place to stay. “My sister was wishing my downfall on everyone, saying, ‘She’s not going to make it. They’ll be on the street,’” Latoya said through tears. “But this is my story. I struggle, and eventually, it’s going to be okay. I’m going to make it. I just use the negative as a stepping stone. And not to prove to her or anyone but to myself.”
The Pathway Out
With nowhere else to go, Latoya and her daughter came to the Mission. Walking through the doors, they felt relief.
“Being here has been a stress reliever,” Latoya said. “I’ve been able to clear my mind, and I’ve been able to focus on my goals and on me.”
Latoya is now working as a certified nursing assistant, and recently was accepted into nursing school. But the struggle is real. Even working 48 hours a week, Latoya struggles to pay for food and other fees for her and her daughter.
“Before the pandemic, people were able to make ends meet. And it’s hard when you have an eviction on your credit because that’s like the first thing they look at,” Latoya explained. “So . . . what are the options for people who have that?”
With the support of her case manager and counselor, Latoya is finding motivation and taking small steps toward self-sufficiency.
“They’ve been my motivation,” she said. “I walk into my case manager’s office, and she has positive quotes and scriptures on her board. She prays with you. You aren’t going to find that anywhere else. But here, they have a caring heart.”
No matter what the future holds, Latoya knows that she will have support. “I have a village that’s going to help me.”
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Download Full Newsletter
- Journeys In & Pathways Out of Homelessness
- The Mission in My Words: Cassandra Resudek
- Letter From Our CEO
