4 Guests Receiving Housing TODAY!

This afternoon, four of our guests will open the door to homes of their own.

For one of them, this is the first time they've lived indoors in more than 5 years.

As we prepare them to move into housing today, we are reminded of a man who also experienced the thrill of moving into his own home around this time last year.

Meet Michael.

Michael is a Vietnam veteran, a former medical professional and recovering drug addict. He's 62 years old and has been part of the Miriam's Kitchen community for four years.

He joined us shortly after he became homeless--a situation he found himself in after the effects of PTSD and drug abuse started taking a toll on his well-being.

Michael first came to Miriam's Kitchen for a healthy meal. He was living in temporary housing provided by a local organization but was so unhappy that he often chose to sleep outdoors instead. 

It was then that he asked us for more help.

I came to Miriam's Kitchen for the meals but then I saw all the other services you have and thought--this is the best place in the city.

As Michael choked back tears, he described what made his experience at Miriam's Kitchen so different from the ones he had previously.

The staff at Miriam's Kitchen is educated and they care. Here, people I didn't even know already knew my name. To know that people care really makes a difference.

Michael worked with our case managers to find housing through the Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH) program.

Because of his debilitating health and mental health issues, Michael was placed in housing pretty quickly--about two weeks after he first applied.

Flash forward one year and Michael is housed and happy.

He's been sober for more than a year, taking his medication and seeing a doctor regularly, and working on his mental health.

Housing has really helped my mental health. It's amazing. I'm finally happy. Without the VASH program, I have no idea what would have happened to me.

Michael is also committed to helping others. Having housing has allowed me to work on other things, and now that I'm happy I need to give back.

When I moved into my apartment, Miriam's Kitchen sent me a card congratulating me on my new home. If they've done this for me, there must be dozens of others they've done this for too. I can't tell you how grateful I am.

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It is only with your support that guests like Michael are able to be housed and become healthy again. While these stories of housing success are inspiring, we need your help to ensure ALL of our guests are able to experience the life-changing effects of moving into a home of their own. Since 2008, more than 225 Miriam's Kitchen guests have been housed--but more work is left to be done.

Visit www.miriamskitchen.org/cause to learn more about how you can help.