Depaul House: From Homeless to Hopeful
Preface
My criteria for doing a Photo Essay is that it’s an important topic that people need to know more about. I hope my Photo Essays can lead to greater understanding, involvement and support.
During the winter of 2014-2015 I searched for a story about homelessness in Philadelphia. I went into Center City twice a week to talk to people on the street- I had never talked to a homeless person before. I found most to be open and friendly. Many allowed me to take their picture. But I didn’t find an idea for a Photo Essay.
I soon connected with One Step Away, the Philadelphia newspaper dedicated to people experiencing homelessness. I did volunteer photography for the newspaper, but again there was no clear idea for a Photo Essay. But that changed at the One Step Away annual Knock Out Homelessness fund raising event. I met Gerald Lockhart, a social worker and case manager at Depaul House. He explained that Depaul House provides transitional housing for homeless men. I told him about my Photo Essays. Gerald invited me to visit to see how we might work together. I knew right away that Depaul House has a story that needs to be told. It’s amazing program helps homeless men become productive members of society- this is no ordinary shelter.
One goal of this Photo Essay is to show how Depaul House can transform the lives of homeless men who are lucky enough to get in. My hope is to encourage donations- both financial and food; to attract volunteers- particularly those who can offer training on employable skills; and most of all to help create partnerships with companies that can offer employment. The other goal is to change the perception that all homeless people are lazy and are just not trying- for most that is not the case.
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Introduction
It’s late 2013. Thirty Five year old Aaron Hines takes up residence in one of Philadelphia’s abandoned houses because he can no longer afford rent. He has electricity but no water. His bed is a sleeping bag. Gradually he loses the ability to care for himself. When it becomes intolerable, he enters Philadelphia’s shelter system in mid 2014. Aaron’s case manager sees potential in him which results in his placement at Depaul House in May 2015.
There are many programs to help the homeless. Depaul House (part of Depaul USA) is a one year program offering shelter, job search skills, life skills, and on-going support from a highly dedicated staff. Only candidates who are capable and motivated to work are accepted. Depaul House’s goal is clear for its residents: “When you leave here your homelessness is done; you are done with the shelter system and you are now a productive citizen!” Since opening in 2009, Depaul House has helped nearly 300 men through 2015. Approximately 80% graduated, meaning they left with jobs and places to live. Most maintain their independence for at least one year after leaving the program.
There are as many homeless stories as there are homeless people. But at their core they are all similar. People get bad breaks- loss of job, loss of loved ones, family breakup, addiction, mental illness. Few people choose to be homeless. It’s tragic for them, a drag on society, and an immeasurable loss of human capital. Aaron graciously volunteered to share his path to homelessness. Additionally, he is a gifted poet having the amazing ability to create verse in seconds. His wonderful poetry is featured along with his story.
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How Aaron’s Life Led Him to Depaul House
How Aaron’s Life Led Him to Depaul House
Aaron Michael Hines- Born April 17, 1978: His beloved mother was Sharon. His father Rufus abandoned the family- “But I still love him because he brought me into the world; I wish I knew his story.”
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To His Missing Father: “Regardless of your decision, I’m still your vision.” … Aaron didn’t get the fatherhood guidance and nurturing he needed- a theme that follows him to this day and likely contributed to his path to homelessness.
Aaron had a normal childhood in Philadelphia. He tried to stay out of trouble but as a teenager drugs and gangs were a constant challenge- “The street was my boyhood father”. Because of this, his mother sent him at 16 to Killeen Texas to live with his aunt and uncle where he stayed 6 years. While he describes himself as a rebellious teen, his high school grades were good and he graduated in 1996. His mother and grandmother came to Texas for his graduation- “This was the happiest day of my life!!!!”
After high school in Texas he got a job in a restaurant- “I got employee of the month in just two months!!” He then got a job as a janitor in the local school district which offered better benefits. He had an apartment “in the ghetto”, but it was home. “I was over 18 and had to man-up.” Aaron was leading a responsible life.
In late 1999 his mother asked him to come home because she had lung cancer:
As my sun turns to darkness,
My emotions start marching.
She died on March 28, 2000, a crushing blow for Aaron- “She loved me more than anyone could”:
When you went home and left me alone with a huge scar and mess,
Stain in my dome… I was not in the right state of mind
She was my queen,
I was heir to the throne.
Deciding to stay in Philadelphia, he got a job at Widener College. In 2004 he got a job at Saint Joseph's University as a security guard which gave him better pay and benefits. As hard as it was after his mother died, Arron was rebuilding his life.
In 2005 he entered a relationship that produced a daughter- “I left my mark on the world!.” He named her Deja as in déjà vu because she looked just like him when he was a baby. There’s nothing more important to Aaron than his Deja.
Aaron composed his most significant poem to honor his little girl- “Daddy’s Angel”:
My child it’s you that put the father in me,
And I can’t help being the father my father couldn’t be;
Only thing I prayed for is for you to be healthy,
And you’re a princess in my eyes so you’re born wealthy;
You mean more than life, more than the world,
I’m praising the Lord for my precious little girl;
She makes me more than proud, more than glad,
I almost cried for joy when she first called me dad;
You’re the little girl I live for, the little girl I die for,
As far as bad situations, you’re the one I survive for;
You’re someone I’m there for, someone to reach,
You’re someone I care for, and someone to teach;
The little girl I love, the little girl I cherish,
And I’ll feel the same way even after I perish;
Words can’t describe how I feel about you,
Because the father in me makes me all about you!
Aaron moved in with Deja’s mother but it didn’t last. After leaving he became obliged to make child support payments. This financial strain began a decline that would ultimately lead to Aaron’s homelessness.
In 2012 he moved to Springfield Massachusetts to become the caretaker for a sick uncle- a very generous act that cost him a good job and was another step in his decline. He worked for temp agencies during 2012-2013. He met a woman and they moved into an apartment together. He put everything into the relationship, including his savings to keep their apartment going. He wanted to get married, but her infidelity brought the relationship down. His savings was gone which continued his downward spiral.
My child it’s you that put the father in me,
And I can’t help being the father my father couldn’t be;
Only thing I prayed for is for you to be healthy,
And you’re a princess in my eyes so you’re born wealthy;
You mean more than life, more than the world,
I’m praising the Lord for my precious little girl;
She makes me more than proud, more than glad,
I almost cried for joy when she first called me dad;
You’re the little girl I live for, the little girl I die for,
As far as bad situations, you’re the one I survive for;
You’re someone I’m there for, someone to reach,
You’re someone I care for, and someone to teach;
The little girl I love, the little girl I cherish,
And I’ll feel the same way even after I perish;
Words can’t describe how I feel about you,
Because the father in me makes me all about you!
Aaron moved in with Deja’s mother but it didn’t last. After leaving he became obliged to make child support payments. This financial strain began a decline that would ultimately lead to Aaron’s homelessness.
In 2012 he moved to Springfield Massachusetts to become the caretaker for a sick uncle- a very generous act that cost him a good job and was another step in his decline. He worked for temp agencies during 2012-2013. He met a woman and they moved into an apartment together. He put everything into the relationship, including his savings to keep their apartment going. He wanted to get married, but her infidelity brought the relationship down. His savings was gone which continued his downward spiral.
He returned to Philadelphia in 2013 after his uncle died- “I had to start over again.” He worked a number of jobs and lived with a friend to help with expenses. But after his friend moved out things really went downhill. There wasn’t enough income for food and rent, and to pay child support. He couldn’t save money- “It was breaking my back!”
No matter how strong I am,
I know how it feels to be at my weakest.
No longer able to live independently, he was forced to move into an abandoned house in late 2013- Aaron had become homeless!
His life was falling apart. He wasn’t as clean as before and wasn’t eating or sleeping properly. He couldn’t do it anymore. In the past he wouldn’t have asked for help, but he needed to swallow his pride- “Everyone needs help, even the most successful; knowing you have flaws is a step to adulthood.” He registered with the Philadelphia shelter system and in mid 2014 entered Outley House- a stepping stone to Depaul House.
So, why did Aaron become homeless? It wasn’t that he didn’t work; it wasn’t that he was mentally ill; it wasn’t that he was a drug addict. Aaron had many challenges in his life, but he always tried to do the right things for himself and for others. It was the combination of several moves including the move to support a sick relative, failed relationships, and child support obligations- these things can happen to anyone, and every homeless person has their own story.
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No matter how strong I am,
I know how it feels to be at my weakest.
No longer able to live independently, he was forced to move into an abandoned house in late 2013- Aaron had become homeless!
His life was falling apart. He wasn’t as clean as before and wasn’t eating or sleeping properly. He couldn’t do it anymore. In the past he wouldn’t have asked for help, but he needed to swallow his pride- “Everyone needs help, even the most successful; knowing you have flaws is a step to adulthood.” He registered with the Philadelphia shelter system and in mid 2014 entered Outley House- a stepping stone to Depaul House.
So, why did Aaron become homeless? It wasn’t that he didn’t work; it wasn’t that he was mentally ill; it wasn’t that he was a drug addict. Aaron had many challenges in his life, but he always tried to do the right things for himself and for others. It was the combination of several moves including the move to support a sick relative, failed relationships, and child support obligations- these things can happen to anyone, and every homeless person has their own story.
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Arron Shows His Soft Side as He Strokes Depaul’s Three-Legged Cat: He wants to be the man in Deja’s life, but right now he’s working on himself- “I’m a living puzzle with pieces missing, putting myself together is my main mission.” With the help of Depaul House, Aaron Hines will regain his independence!
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Getting Started at Depaul House
Depaul House is a niche within Philadelphia’s homeless support system. It offers a special opportunity for men who have both the capacity and motivation to work. Depaul House is all about helping men return as productive members of society.
The path to Depaul starts with the emergency shelter. Aaron began his stay at Outley House in a dorm where he had little access to a case manager. Because Aaron “did everything right” he was moved to an annex where he had just 1 or 2 roommates as well as a case manager. Being impressed with Aaron’s behavior and motivation (he was getting job interviews), his case manager sent Aaron’s information to the Office of Supportive Housing with a recommendation for placement in Depaul House.
Eligibility Criteria for Depaul House:
- Must currently be homeless
- Males between the ages of 20 and 65
- Self-referrals will not be accepted: must be referred by an authorized referral agent (case manager in a social service agency serving homeless clients)
- Must have no sexual or violent criminal convictions
- Must have motivation to work and become self-sufficient
- Must demonstrate a commitment to meet the weekly service charge
- Must deposit 20% of income per week into individual savings account
“The key is the ability to work” says case manager Gerald Lockhart- “Employment is the way out of homelessness; if a person can’t work they aren’t a good candidate for Depaul House because our resources are so limited.”
Aaron was in the minority of people in the shelter system who would qualify for Depaul House. Those who are disabled would go on Social Security Disability; those with mental health issues might go into a confined environment; those with substance abuse issues would go into appropriate programs; and some people don’t want to work, the result of low self-esteem according to Gerald.
But Depaul House is not closed to those with mental health and substance abuse issues- “If we see a path to employment for these people… A person with mental health issues would be on medication and a person with addiction problems might have to take a time-out from finding work to deal with their issues and that’s OK.”
Sometimes there are relapses during a resident’s stay- “When we see signs we will confront it.” Substance abuse and mental health issues can be latent until there is a trigger such as getting fired, a death in the family, not being able to see their kids, low self-esteem- “We will help them to get it worked out- we don’t abandon them!” If needed Depaul House will set up a psychological evaluation that might lead to medication or therapy- “There is no stigma at Depaul House about getting help.”
Aaron’s first visit to Depaul House in mid 2015 was his “referral interview”. Gerald says- “We pry into their backgrounds- drugs, alcohol, why are they homeless, their goals and why they think Depaul House is right for them; Aaron was up-front about not having an ID card (common for homeless people) which is a barrier to employment, but he already had job interviews which was a plus for him.”
Luckily for Aaron, Depaul House had an opening- typically there is a waiting list for one of Depaul House's 27 spaces. Gerald had the authority to accept him on the spot and Aaron entered the very next day. Aaron felt proud to get in so quickly, but he also knew that- “this commitment was serious”.
The first day at Depaul House includes orientation, getting the resident handbook, having background discussions, and signing the resident agreement covering rules and regulations. Soon after, residents are tested on their computers skills which are needed for job searching. It’s very clear from the moment a new resident enters Depaul House- this is about work!
Aaron is very clear about the difference between Depaul House and an emergency shelter: “An emergency shelter has no time limits and can be a revolving door; Depaul House is a strict one year residency so you have to get it right!” He adds- “Depaul House helps people who help themselves; it gives you a chance to be what you can be.” Aaron entered Depaul House with confidence but knew that the next year would be tough- “They believe in you when you don’t believe in yourself; if you get off track they push you back on- it’s tough love!!”
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From Homeless to Hopeful: Aaron gains confidence from his predecessors at Depaul House.
Sometimes there are relapses during a resident’s stay- “When we see signs we will confront it.” Substance abuse and mental health issues can be latent until there is a trigger such as getting fired, a death in the family, not being able to see their kids, low self-esteem- “We will help them to get it worked out- we don’t abandon them!” If needed Depaul House will set up a psychological evaluation that might lead to medication or therapy- “There is no stigma at Depaul House about getting help.”
Aaron’s first visit to Depaul House in mid 2015 was his “referral interview”. Gerald says- “We pry into their backgrounds- drugs, alcohol, why are they homeless, their goals and why they think Depaul House is right for them; Aaron was up-front about not having an ID card (common for homeless people) which is a barrier to employment, but he already had job interviews which was a plus for him.”
Luckily for Aaron, Depaul House had an opening- typically there is a waiting list for one of Depaul House's 27 spaces. Gerald had the authority to accept him on the spot and Aaron entered the very next day. Aaron felt proud to get in so quickly, but he also knew that- “this commitment was serious”.
The first day at Depaul House includes orientation, getting the resident handbook, having background discussions, and signing the resident agreement covering rules and regulations. Soon after, residents are tested on their computers skills which are needed for job searching. It’s very clear from the moment a new resident enters Depaul House- this is about work!
Aaron is very clear about the difference between Depaul House and an emergency shelter: “An emergency shelter has no time limits and can be a revolving door; Depaul House is a strict one year residency so you have to get it right!” He adds- “Depaul House helps people who help themselves; it gives you a chance to be what you can be.” Aaron entered Depaul House with confidence but knew that the next year would be tough- “They believe in you when you don’t believe in yourself; if you get off track they push you back on- it’s tough love!!”
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From Homeless to Hopeful: Aaron gains confidence from his predecessors at Depaul House.
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The Building: Depaul House occupies the convent of the former Immaculate Conception Parish located in the East Germantown section of Philadelphia. The structure was completed in 1924 to house 40 sisters. With the closing of the parish, the convent’s many small sleeping rooms were ideal for Depaul House which began accepting residents in 2009… The “One Way” sign pointing to the front door is prophetic.
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First Floor Corridor: Lined with photographs of proud Depaul House graduates- each offering words of appreciation… The corridor is empty because residents are at work!!
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Kitchen: Food preparation and serving room- residents are assured three good meals each day.
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Kitchen: Cooking Room- breakfast and lunch are prepared by the staff- a cook comes in for the evening meal.
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Dining Room: Meeting place for meals and good conversation.
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Lounge: This is Aaron’s favorite room in Depaul House.
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Books: What make the lounge so special to Aaron is the library end of the room… Aaron is dressed for a job interview- it’s critical to make a good first impression.
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Dormitory: The second and third floors have individual sleeping rooms for 27 residents- the woodwork is beautiful.
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Tiny and Spartan: Resident rooms may be minimal, but they offer the safety and security of a real home, and that’s a lot for people who have been homeless. The solid support system of Depaul House allows residents to focus on finding and keeping jobs- not on where they will sleep tonight or get their next meal… There are several pictures on Aaron’s desk- most notable is a large picture of him as a baby. His past is as important as his present.
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Confident: Aaron stands proudly in front of Depaul House before leaving for a job interview. If it’s not this job, it will be the next or the next after that, but he will get work- “I want to graduate early to make space for someone else- I want to be valedictorian!” …. In fact, just six months later Aaron secured a permanent job in another city. He worked hard at Depaul House and achieved his goal to graduate early! Depaul House wishes him the best of luck!!
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The Program
The core of the Depaul House program is helping residents find and keep jobs. “We have all the right resources” says Gerald Lockhart. Once job search skills are in place, residents that aren’t working spend every day from 9-12am at a computer in Job Shop- “Finding a job is their first job at Depaul House.”
Residents are expected to be at Job Shop on time. If they aren’t, Gerald will walk upstairs and knock on their doors- “The discipline they learn here is the same discipline they will need on the job; if they aren't on time for Job Shop which is only one or two floors away, how do they explain that?” But Gerald acknowledges that it’s easy to become judgmental when a resident is late. Before coming down hard he investigates to see if there is a cause that can be addressed. At the same time Gerald takes a strong approach because employers will only look at results.
Getting a job is only the beginning- the job must be kept, and there are many challenges that come up in the workplace. These issues are addressed weekly at Jobs Roundtable- “We cover issues related to job retention like handling problems with the boss.”
Getting and keeping a job is just one component of achieving a sustainable independent life. A critical skill is managing finances. Residents work with their case managers to set up budgets. The goal is to pay their weekly rent (room and board) and to start a savings account. This prepares them to be on their own- “When they start their own home they will be starting from scratch so we want them to have $1500-2000 saved- they will feel much better.”
Once employed, residents pay 30% of net pay for rent with a maximum is $50/week, and save 20%. Gerald says- “I’m a stickler for residents to pay their rent- no excuses like ‘I needed a new pair of shoes or I had a date’… NO WAY, they have to get their priorities straight; such behavior may have contributed to their homelessness in the first place!!” Once they get their saving underway, they will be asked to increase their savings by $10-25 per check.
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Job Shop: Residents search for job opportunities with guidance from employment specialist Lynn Giordano.
After about 6-8 months residents begin having discharge discussions. Their case manager will ask:
- Is your job stable? Are there any issues for you to maintain your employment?
- When will you be ready to move into your own place?
- What are your fears and reservations?
As graduation approaches, residents develop a discharge plan. They look for a place to live, often approaching landlords who know Depaul House. The security deposit to move into a room in shared housing is typically $600-800 while an apartment generally requires $1,100. They supplement with food stamps and Depaul House helps with clothes and toiletries. Depaul House has grants that can help with security deposits for the home and with furnishings- “It’s an incentive that we do on a case by case basis.”
The message to residents- “When you leave here your homelessness is done; you are now a productive citizen!!!!” At the same time, when residents leave the program isn’t over. Depaul House follows them- “Are you paying your rent; is work OK; is everything else OK? Stop in to see us, we’re here to help!!” If a graduate appears to be at risk, Depaul House will do a Critical Time Intervention. If there is a drug issue, they will get into NA or AA. For mental health issues there will be outpatient care. Clearly it requires tremendous resources to provide so much support for residents and graduates.
The Depaul House program is so much more than shelter- It’s about ending homelessness, one person at a time!!
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Resident Success Story
Depaul House graduate Broderick Green was asked if he would contribute to this Photo Essay. “I look forward to participating; nothing that I could ever do for this organization will ever repay them for what it has done for my life… more people need to know about this ‘hidden secret’.”
Broderick’s path to homelessness began in 1992 at 22 when his mother died- “She was my best friend, my safety net and support; she was taken away from me and it hurt; no one could bring her back so I pretty much checked-out.” He turned to drugs, an addiction that lasted 22 years!
He came to Philadelphia from Freeport New York in 2006 with his wife. While she tried to help, she didn't want him in their home when he was on drugs. So he began a revolving door life between shelters when he was on drugs and home when he was sober.
In 2011 while he was in a shelter, Gerald Lockhart gave a presentation about Depaul House. Broderick told his counselor that Depaul House would give him the privacy he needed so that he could focus on his education- he was going to Community College of Philadelphia at that time.
Broderick’s year at Depaul House was difficult because he remained on drugs. But the way he was treated at Depaul House gave him the support he needed- “Depaul House treats each resident like a person; the staff looks us in the eye, speaks our name, and shakes our hands; they eat with us- if someone came into the dining room they couldn't tell the difference between the staff and the residents.”
He was not at Depaul House very long before he relapsed- “I admitted to Gerald what happened but was scared that he would tell me I had to leave, but he didn’t… Instead he asked ‘what are we going to do now’?” Gerald was concerned that Depaul House was not doing enough to help him- “That was awesome for me!!”
Broderick completed his year at Depaul House. At the end Gerald took him to look for a place to live. They found a room in North Philly- “The addict in me wanted to go there because I knew I could get drugs- I never said anything to Gerald.” Depaul House paid his rent for three months but by that time Broderick was totally back into his addiction.
One night while he was getting high, someone choked and robbed him- “I got myself together and after a couple of weeks I walked to Depaul House and told Sandra Guillory (Philadelphia Director, Depaul USA) that I needed help; she jumped right in and got me into the Salvation Army for rehab. For Broderick, this unconditional love and support from Depaul House was something he thought was gone when his mother died.
He stayed at the Salvation Army for a year. Just before graduation in 2013 he was hired as house manager. He stayed for another year until a new administrator came in and he was let go. “When I left, Sandra was the first person I called.” He had heard from Gerald that there was a Peer Support position at Depaul House. While that job was no longer open, Sandra said that he would be perfect for a similar job at St. Raymond’s House, a new Depaul USA project that would open in the fall of 2015. St. Ray’s would serve chronically homeless men and women with chronic health conditions. Broderick lived with friends while he waited for the opening of St. Ray’s in September 2015.
Broderick’s story points out that for many residents the path to becoming self sufficient can be very difficult. This is where Depaul House shines. The respect and caring never ends- it’s family. “If it weren’t for Depaul House I’d still be struggling with drugs (he’s been sober since 2014); I’d still be looking for a source of help.”
His experience with Depaul House and his new role at St. Raymond’s House has enabled Broderick to do what he was meant to- “God revealed to me that I’m on earth to help people.” He is determined to retire from Depaul USA after a successful career. He says with both pride and appreciation- “Whenever I face a difficult situation at St. Ray’s, before I react I always ask myself- what would Gerald do?” The support system never ends.
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Broderick Sits Proudly in an Unused Kitchen in St. Raymond’s House That Will Become His Office.
One night while he was getting high, someone choked and robbed him- “I got myself together and after a couple of weeks I walked to Depaul House and told Sandra Guillory (Philadelphia Director, Depaul USA) that I needed help; she jumped right in and got me into the Salvation Army for rehab. For Broderick, this unconditional love and support from Depaul House was something he thought was gone when his mother died.
He stayed at the Salvation Army for a year. Just before graduation in 2013 he was hired as house manager. He stayed for another year until a new administrator came in and he was let go. “When I left, Sandra was the first person I called.” He had heard from Gerald that there was a Peer Support position at Depaul House. While that job was no longer open, Sandra said that he would be perfect for a similar job at St. Raymond’s House, a new Depaul USA project that would open in the fall of 2015. St. Ray’s would serve chronically homeless men and women with chronic health conditions. Broderick lived with friends while he waited for the opening of St. Ray’s in September 2015.
Broderick’s story points out that for many residents the path to becoming self sufficient can be very difficult. This is where Depaul House shines. The respect and caring never ends- it’s family. “If it weren’t for Depaul House I’d still be struggling with drugs (he’s been sober since 2014); I’d still be looking for a source of help.”
His experience with Depaul House and his new role at St. Raymond’s House has enabled Broderick to do what he was meant to- “God revealed to me that I’m on earth to help people.” He is determined to retire from Depaul USA after a successful career. He says with both pride and appreciation- “Whenever I face a difficult situation at St. Ray’s, before I react I always ask myself- what would Gerald do?” The support system never ends.
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Broderick Sits Proudly in an Unused Kitchen in St. Raymond’s House That Will Become His Office.
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Heroes of Depaul House: The Staff
If it were only the shelter, the training, and the other parts of the program, Depaul House would not deliver its outstanding level of success. The magic ingredient is the staff:
- Michele Abbruzzese, Associate Director
- Lynn Giordano, Employment Specialist
- Sandra Guillory, Philadelphia Director
- Gerald Lockhart, Program Counselor
- Peggy Robertson, Director of Foundation Giving
- Vernon Tolbert, Operations Advisor
They bring a personal commitment that goes far beyond any reasonable expectation. There’s something that drives them to do a job that doesn’t offer amenities or high pay, but delivers many difficult challenges. So what is it that drives their passion for this place? Gerald Lockhart offered to share his path to what he calls his “dream job”!!
In 1990 at the age of 38, Gerald took a job as an insurance claims adjuster in Texas. This came with a big salary and all expenses paid to relocate from Philadelphia. He had entered corporate America focusing on compensation and promotion. But his core values were challenged when his company adopted a new strategy to improve the bottom line. They stopped paying valid claims preferring to get sued- “When they did this to a quadriplegic, that was more than I could take.” He needed a change so he went back to school to study social work.
In 2004 he took a job in Kansas at a juvenile detention center. This came with a significant salary cut, but that was ok because he was making a difference with these young people. But there was a problem- “These kids were being drugged into submission rather than being given the therapy they really needed.” While he couldn’t know it at the time, these challenges to his values were preparing him for his role at Depaul House.
In 2009 he experienced what he describes as a spiritual pull- “I wanted to go home to Germantown and I wanted to help homeless men!!” He took the risk to go back to Philadelphia without a job. He moved in with is twin brother Gordon, who sadly passed away from cancer in 2010. But during their time together Gordon encouraged Gerald about getting the type of job he wanted- “You’re qualified.”
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Getting on the Right Path: “You just can't go to a job everyday that you hate; I knew what I wanted and had to take the risk.”
Gerald applied for social work jobs but kept getting rejected. But one day he saw an ad for a case manager at Depaul House- a new organization that supports homeless men in Germantown- “My dream job!” But there was a problem- Gerald saw the ad one day after the application deadline. Not being deterred, he presented himself at the door of Depaul House- “Hi, I’m Gerald and I’m here to apply for a job!”…”Sorry Sir, the deadline was yesterday!!”…”Please, take a look at my resume!”… ”Sorry Sir, the deadline was yesterday!!” But there was no way Gerald was going to walk away from his dream job and his persistence finally worked- “OK, give me your resume!”
Two days later Gerald got a call for an interview and he knew right away that this building was home. “They grilled me but I made it clear- ‘I’m your man’!!!” Gerald got the job and was in place for the formal opening of Depaul House- “The Lord gave me my dream job and I was committed to make it my career.”
Gerald’s experience taught him that to be employed you have to have self confidence, self-esteem, motivation and commitment. This is exactly what the staff teaches residents- this is why Depaul House graduates succeed!
After more than six years, what does it mean to work at Depaul House? “We make a difference in these men’s lives!” It’s so gratifying to the staff when residents graduate and become independent. But sadly there are a few cases when they’re not successful. One sad story is about a resident who was hopelessly addicted to heroin. After a period at Depaul House he decided to leave and asked for his savings. The resident was very clear- “I want my money so I can buy heroin!!” Several staff members tried to change his mind but it didn’t work- “We have to accept that sometimes our best efforts aren’t enough and we just have to let go, but it hurts.”
All Depaul House staff members share the same depth of commitment. This is not a job- it’s a calling! Residents are family and society is the beneficiary!!
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From Homeless to Hopeful
A Well Deserved Thank You to the Depaul USA Team
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Final Thoughts
During the past year I learned that homelessness is very complicated. There are so many causes and so many solutions, and for many people there is no solution.
I learned that homeless people are not just faceless people on the street- they are real people with real stories- some are even poets like Aaron Hines, but that often goes unnoticed.
I learned that people who work in fields that serve homelessness possess extraordinary dedication and commitment because the personal rewards are so high.
More than anything else I learned that homelessness is awful and that walking by people on the street without noticing does not make the problem go away.
Providing shelter, money, clothes and food is critical for immediate needs, but does nothing to address the causes of homelessness. Depaul House is different- it ends homelessness one graduate at a time. This improves lives and changes a burden on society to a benefit. If only there were more Depaul Houses.
I do hope that people who read this Photo Essay will consider helping Depaul House in any way they can: individuals can donate and volunteer; landlords can provide affordable housing; and businesses can offer jobs to qualified residents!
You can learn more at www.depaulusa.org.
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