Wilson hopes to be the light for others. Born and raised in the Bronx, he endured a severe medical injury that left him with permanent nerve damage and spent years in hospitals and rehabilitation facilities. During his recovery, he struggled with anger but chose to continue pursuing care and understanding to move forward. A moment of inspiration came when he met a young girl with prosthetic legs during rehabilitation, which helped him find strength and perspective to keep going. 

Today, Wilson is preparing to move into his own home after years of recovery and support at one of Care For the Homeless’ men’s shelters. He credits staff and case managers for helping him navigate housing assistance, while also emphasizing his own commitment to showing up every day despite chronic pain. Wilson sees his journey as a reminder that healing is shared and that small moments of kindness can help people keep moving forward. 

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Denayha defines herself by a deep commitment to community. After running a successful massage therapy business for seven years, she lost her business and housing. She entered the shelter system where she found unexpected support and connection. In that environment, she experienced a strong sense of mutual care that reshaped her understanding of people and strengthened her empathy. Grounded in her faith, she now views this chapter as a turning point that deepened her values and sense of purpose. Today, Denayha is focused on advocacy to ensure the voices of people with lived experience are included in conversations about solutions to homelessness. 

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Evora’s story is about rebuilding her life and creating new possibilities for herself. After years of struggling with depression, anxiety, and addiction, a life-threatening medical emergency became the catalyst that led her to seek help and begin her recovery journey. With the support of her case manager and community, Evora learned to trust others, prioritize her mental and physical health, and move forward with renewed purpose. Now celebrating three years of sobriety, she is pursuing dreams of helping others and honoring her lifelong love of cooking.

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Mitchell has spent much of his life trying to understand himself and the people around him, shaped early by the loss of his mother and time in the foster care system. He faced years of instability, housing insecurity, and emotional challenges while largely navigating adulthood on his own. Over time, therapy became a turning point that gave him language for his experiences and tools to manage his mental health. After living in the shelter system, he secured a CityFHEPS voucher and transitioned into stable housing, where he began to feel safer and more at ease. 

Today, Mitchell lives on his own, works, and is preparing to complete his GED, with the long-term goal of becoming a therapist to help others navigate struggles much like his own. 

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Edwin describes himself as someone who gets things done once he sets his mind to a goal. A former football player, he carries that same discipline and determination into everyday life, which helped him navigate experiencing homelessness for the first time at 68 after losing his housing. Despite the challenges, he remained focused on his goal of finding a permanent home and worked consistently with support from shelter staff. Today, Edwin lives in his own apartment in the Bronx and is focused on family, especially his seven grandchildren, while reflecting on his journey.

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Hattie is a mother of three and a grandmother of two whose life is centered on her family and their well-being. After becoming ill in 2025 and losing her ability to work, she fell behind on rent, leading to a period of instability and time in the shelter system. Within the shelter, she found unexpected support and community among other women, which helped her stay focused on rebuilding her life. Today, Hattie lives in her own apartment, prioritizing her health, stability, and advocacy work to highlight gaps in the systems she navigated.

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Danny describes himself as outgoing and naturally drawn to people and connection. After early losses and a serious car accident at 16 that caused a traumatic brain injury, he struggled with grief, instability, and substance use as a way to cope. A turning point came when he chose recovery and entered a Ready, Willing & Able shelter program, where engagement helped him rebuild his life. Today, he is sober, living in his own apartment, and focused on continuing his growth through work, training, and supporting others in recovery. 

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Richard is a thoughtful and compassionate person even through hardship. After building a life with his partner Tracy, everything changed in 2024 when she passed away. Grieving and facing systemic barriers, Richard lost his housing and spent time moving between hospitals, shelters, and public spaces while trying to stay afloat. His situation began to improve when he connected with the Care For the Homeless Morris Avenue Safe Haven, where supportive staff helped him regain stability and direction. 

Today, Richard lives in permanent housing and describes his current life as one of peace. He is focusing on his health and future goals, which includes becoming a peer advocate to support others.

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Cynthia describes herself as someone who refuses to be invisible. She has experienced severe hardships, including nearly a decade of homelessness and time spent cycling through shelters, hospitals, and the criminal legal system while managing serious mental health challenges. Over time, she found stability through supportive shelter services, reconnection with her daughter, and long-term recovery that eventually led to permanent housing in 2010. Today, she is a national speaker and advocate who serves in leadership roles, mentoring others and working to ensure people with lived experience are included in shaping systems that affect them.

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