Homeless and Feeling Helpless

In April of 2011 I found myself in a very unsafe place with a roommate who was becoming physically violent with me and threatening me with a knife.  I contacted Lifelong AIDS Alliance and asked what could be done to get me into safe housing since I was not working at the time and was struggling to stay off methamphetamines.  I had been sober for approximately 30 days at the time. I was placed in a men's shelter for the night. I had a friend store all of my belongings except for a few articles of clothing.

The next day I met again with my housing advocate at Lifelong.  Clarissa put me in touch with a lady named Mary at Rosehedge/Multifaith Works.  On my way back to the library I contacted Mary.  She was very understanding and compassionate on the phone. I met with her the following day and immediately felt comfortable with her. She gave me the number of the resident advisor at Beighle House. I contacted him immediately and arranged to meet with him on Wednesday and also attend the house meeting. I was immediately placed at ease as he informed me that he understood what it meant to be in recovery and the need for support as well as having a safe and stable place to live.

April 6, 2011 was the day I was given keys to my new room and to the front door of Beighle House a Rosehedge/Multifaith Works transitional home.  While living at Beighle House, as with most people in recovery, there were some brief relapses.  Not one time did anyone from Rosehedge/Multifaith put me down, or make me feel like I was a failure. Quite the opposite was true. They rallied around me and let me make my own choices in what to do to get back on track and stay sober. Each time they supported me and were more concerned with what they could do to help rather than "punish" me or give me new requirements to stay in the house. Instead, they offered many resources to help with recovery and also got me involved with their Shift Peer Recovery program who helped me get a recovery coach at no cost. The staff always listened to me and made me feel as if I was someone of value. They were always concerned, not only with my recovery from meth but also my personal physical, mental, and emotional health and well-being.

I can honestly say that if it had not been for Rosehedge/Multifaith Works housing and staff as well as Shift Peer Recovery Program, I would still be actively using meth on a daily basis, homeless and hopeless, if not already dead.  My life before they stepped in to house me, care for me, and support me was headed down a dead end street. I learned more about my addiction, and health during my stay with Rosehedge/Multifaith Works than I ever thought I would. My mental and emotional health is also getting better. I am forever grateful to them for the love, compassion, support and most of all how each staff person gave of themselves unconditionally to make sure that I survived and found stable and safe permanent housing. On Feb 1st, 2013 I moved into my new apartment and am still sober. This would never have been possible without the staff of Rosehedge/Multifaith Works. Thanks again for being a family that cared!

John C.

Former Rosehedge/Multifaith Works Tenant

Comfort Where We Overlap

“I know there is strength in the differences between us. I know there is comfort, where we overlap.”
― Ani DiFranco

Sharing a space with many others can be challenging and it can be comforting, but if we are open to the people around us it is always stimulating, edifying, and profound. Working within community continues to inspire me every day.

I came in to the office today bearing mishloach manot, which in Hebrew means “sending meals.” This is a Jewish tradition for the holiday of Purim (this upcoming Saturday night and Sunday) in which people send food baskets to each other to share the celebration through food, and show appreciation and a sense of unity for people in their community.

 We wish the Rosehedge Multifaith Works community a community of support, celebration, and good food.

(BTW...The cookies are called “Hamentaschen”)

Tamar Libicki RN,
Clinical Director Rosehedge Multifaith Works

Among the Counted

An estimated 1,900 are homeless each night in Seattle.  They can be found in transitional housing, sleeping in shelters, under roadways, in doorways, or curled up in their car/truck. A quarter of these persons can be considered chronically homeless, which according to HUD's definition, means they are homeless for long periods of time and have a disability such as HIV/AIDS.

Catherine's plan had never been to be one of the people counted as homeless when she first lost her apartment.  This was a temporary situation and would turn around in a few days.  Days turned to months and months turned to years.  All told, the journey to finding a home she can call her own has taken seven long years.  Five years on the streets and two as part of Rosehedge/Multifaith Works’ transitional housing program.

On the streets you aren't concerned about the basics of clothing, food or medical treatments.  In fact, good health is the least of your concerns.  You live to use…and use to live.  You do anything to get that next high.  You tell yourself it is a natural progression from the early lies or cheating to the extremes of theft and prostitution.  Alone, all Catherine could do at night was cry and wish she wasn’t there.

Connecting to Rosehedge/Multifaith Works during early sobriety, Catherine knew that she had no more chances…without the transitional housing program she would be on the streets again.  Faced with this fear, she changed dramatically and quickly.  After nearly two years in transitional housing, she made the big step into permanent housing.

When asked about her success she quickly quantifies it as OUR success.  “I didn’t do this by myself” she states.  “A lot of people gave me a hand…and then a second hand.”   Alone, inside her apartment she can, at times, feel intimidated by the dramatic change.  It is a fear that is quickly defeated by opening the door and joining her new community.  A community built on compassion, concern and love.

Each January, volunteers canvas the Seattle area and count the men, women and children without shelter.  This One Night Count is done for two reasons: to document the nature and extent of homelessness in King County, and to build public engagement and action around the issue. It is a solemn and eye-opening opportunity to witness the survival struggles of our neighbors who are homeless.  Witness to her journey and after seven years, Catherine is no longer one of those counted!