Phillip’s journey toward housing took about four years. From tent cities, to homeless shelters, to abandoned buildings – Phillip navigated brutal weather conditions and the COVID-19 pandemic on the streets of Chicago.
He could handle the cold and the heat, he could handle the the difficulties that come with that lack of security. What was toughest for Phillip was the thought of navigating this life alone. Phillip feels that home is more than just four walls, it’ the people you share it with.
“After everything I went through, I still decided it was just better for me to be outside on my own. But that doesn’t mean it wasn’t tough – or lonely.”
But that loneliness didn’t last forever. About halfway through his journey, at a tent city on the near south side, he met Bonnie. They found themselves building a shared life over a number of years, all while trying to navigate a way off the streets.
That same tent city was a familiar spot for the Heartland Alliance Health outreach teams. It was a place regularly visited by case managers and clinicians, seeking to help individuals address the many barriers they faced to achieving safety, health, and opportunity.
“We connected with a guy named Ryan. He’s a really great guy. He helped connect us with a bunch of stuff to get us through winter, but most important was got Bonnie and me connected with housing.”
Phillip and Bonnie were living in an abandoned building when Ryan made the call. After months of work making phone calls and being placed on wait lists, there was finally a housing voucher to get them off the streets. A few weeks later, the couple was housed in a two bedroom apartment on the north side.
For Bonnie and Phillip, it was finally the next chapter in their shared life. The new apartment meant they could build something just for them – and of course, for Bonnie’s children who finally were reconnected with their mother.
“It was great, we were finally all together. When we got into the apartment, we started making the place ours.”
After years of insecurity and loneliness, Phillip and Bonnie were building a home. The couple began the nesting process and found old furniture wherever they could, but there was a certain warmth missing from it all.
That’s when one final call from Ryan place the cherry on top of their new home. He connected the family with HAH partner organization Humble Design. More than just a furniture bank, the group dedicates itself on supporting individuals make their homes uniquely theirs. With just a couple of consultations, and a few visits to their site – Humble Design helped transform their apartment.
“We were so happy that the kids got their own beds and a TV,” Phillip said. “Now everything is beautiful and new. This turned into a home and not just a place to live.”
Today, the new family is making strides even in the midst of the pandemic. Kids are back to school, and Phillip and Bonnie are making strides rebuilding their lives. Thanks to Heartland Alliance Health and Humble Designs, they can do so with comfort and safety.
“What we have now is so great, and I really do believe this is a huge opportunity for us. I don’t think I could ever thank folks enough, but I know I’ll never take anything for granted from here on out. This is all a blessing.”
