Success Stories
Homeless at Hartsfield on doc
Homeless at Hartsfield on doc
Security Officer Graduation
Security Officer Graduation
Congrats Mr. Denver Burton!
Congrats Mr. Denver Burton!
Mr. Bedford Gets His Own Home
Mr. Bedford Gets His Own Home
Mr. Joe Bedford got an early Christmas present -- a home of his own. As a resident of the Evolution Center he was able to transition to his own apartment through the help of the Bridges to Homes project.
Mr. Bedford has been homeless since 2007, and he says he is “just glad” that he has a place to call his own. Originally from from Marietta, GA, Mr. Bedford never married and does not have any children. During the times he was experiencing homelessness, Mr. Bedford was living in shelters all over Atlanta and in Cobb County, as well as sleeping outdoors when shelters were at capacity. Mr. Bedford is actively looking for work, hoping to get social security disability income, and with the help of Gateway Center, he now has an appeal pending. In the past, Mr. Bedford provided caregiving services to friends and family members in exchange for housing. When they passed away, he would then experience homelessness. This happened three times and right before he made his way to the Evolution Center and made the connections necessary to get his own apartment. With a big smile on his face, Mr. Bedford told us that the first thing he did when he entered his new home was to “go to sleep” because he no longer had to get up at 5:00 a.m. each day to walk the streets. Sweet Dreams Mr. Bedford!Thankful for Financial Literacy
Thankful for Financial Literacy
Mr. Marvin Ware is the Picture of Success with Gateway Center’s Upward Program
Mr. Marvin Ware is the Picture of Success with Gateway Center’s Upward Program
Mr. Christopher Brooks
Mr. Christopher Brooks
Christopher Brooks is one of many clients who has recently found #AWayHomethrough Gateway Center. Having been homeless for four years, he arrived in Atlanta two years ago hoping to finally end his homelessness.
After receiving his assessment from our ClearPath @ Gateway Center team, Mr. Brooks was placed in Gateway Center’s Evolution Center (low-barrier shelter). In this program, Gateway Center staff provided him with not only a place to stay, but intensive case management services that included the development of an Individual Service Plan. His ISP provided him with a pathway back to school, housing options, financial planning and other supports that would aid him in his ability to regain his independence. Currently, Mr. Brooks is majoring in Elementary Mathematicsat Western Governors College where he takes online courses and expects to graduate in May, 2019. His personal goal is to teach fourth grade mathematics.
While he was homeless, Mr. Brooks said he bounced from shelters to bridges, and he expressed that having his own place often felt unrealistic. This month while signing his lease, he said he now feels extremely blessed, and he began to sing "The Storm is over now” by Kirk Franklin.
Mr. Brooks shared that he is grateful for the assistance the Evolution Center provided and he has plans to visit in the future and volunteer.
Chef and Culinary Executive Jason Alexander Helps Others Rise as a GWC Resident Intern
Chef and Culinary Executive Jason Alexander Helps Others Rise as a GWC Resident Intern
Homeless Veteran Reconnects with Family After 22 Years
Homeless Veteran Reconnects with Family After 22 Years
Eugene’s Story: Change is Possible
Eugene’s Story: Change is Possible
"These are trophies to me. I want to frame them and put them on the wall of my new apartment. Sure, maybe they didn't come from Georgia State, Emory University, or Harvard, but it means so much to me. I carry them around to remind me of where I've been ... And where I want to go."Eugene was a mentor before he arrived at Gateway and continues to mentor others on their journey long after. He often returns to Gateway to volunteer and help out at the front desk. About Gateway he says, "Gateway is a special place. I wanted to have my own key to my own apartment. Now I have both." Congratulations Mr. Henry. We couldn't be more proud!
William Tolbert, 66, Ends Homelessness and Discovers Vocation
William Tolbert, 66, Ends Homelessness and Discovers Vocation
Started From The Bottom: Oriel’s Story
Started From The Bottom: Oriel’s Story
"People cared about me here. Amanda [Case Manager] has been real good with me. She's worked with me. At first all I had was my green card and birth certificate. Since I arrived here I've got my state ID and I got a job. Everyone's been so positive with me. I have a lot of appreciation for Gateway because if it wasn't for this place, I wouldn't be on my feet--or even half-way there."Mr. McCarthy was hired by a Jamaican restaurant on MLK and has already gotten a raise. He's a hard working man--always going above and beyond what is asked of him, even during his time at the Gateway Center.
"I was doing a lot of chores and caring hours because I wanted to give back. I used to put in--what was required? 4 hours?--I was giving 12 hours a week. I appreciated that there was food on my table, a roof over my head, and clothes on my back. In society you have to work for these things, so I felt the least I could do was show my appreciation and give back. I did what I had to do and the light opened up at the end of the tunnel."Today, with the help of his Case Manager, Amanda Van Dalen, Oriel McCarthy is in affordable housing at the Welcome House, but he has his sights set even higher . . .
"I have a bank account now and my goal is to save enough to get my own apartment. I would like someday to be able to volunteer my time and come back to help the rest of the people here. I want to get a car and travel to see my family in NYC because I miss them a lot. Someday I might start my own business. I feel good about my positive direction and intentions. I started from the bottom and now I'm half-way there."We couldn't be more proud of you, Mr.McCarthy! Your Gateway family is rooting for you every step of the way!
Homeless to Housed: Tina’s Story
Homeless to Housed: Tina’s Story
James’ Story: Reunited (And it Feels so Good)
James’ Story: Reunited (And it Feels so Good)
"I do a lot of listening. This is the most talking I've done in a long time. Where I come from before you're walking and talking you learn to respect your elders, hold your peace, and listen. You've got two ears and one mouth."James grew up in Sumpter, SC and graduated from high school in 1995. Only two weeks after graduation he entered the U.S. Marine Corps at 18 years old. For the next 5 years James moved around the world with the Corps--traveling to California, Australia, and Japan where he climbed Mt. Fuji. During this time he met and married a woman in California who then gave birth to their son in 1999. James McCain left the Corps in 2000 and he and his family moved to Atlanta where, as he explains in his own words, "Things did not work out because I was young at the time--23 years old--and I didn't understand how to do the family thing ... I lost them because of me running around and not being productive." After his marriage ended, his ex-wife returned to California with their son, but James learned shortly afterward that she had become incarcerated. "I went to California to get my son who was 8 months old at the time," He remembers, "As I went to get him from the San Jose Airport, I remember he grabbed for me! So that moment was really what started my journey of raising my son." James and his baby boy, James McCain III, moved to Washington DC seeking a connection with his mother's family there, but found that they were not the support system he'd hoped for. Instead he was left to do almost everything on his own. "You know it takes a village to raise a child ... And there I was with this baby who drinks simalac milk. We had to go apply for food stamps and do all the other things mothers go through. Appointments and shots and getting into school, while at the same time I was working." James' son is now 15 years old, a sophomore in high school, and an honor roll student who loves math. James hasn't entered a new relationship in 15 years. "It's been just me and my son. He does math I've never even heard of. I'm very proud of him." But unfortunately it was not all smooth sailing for James. In 2008 he began using drugs as a means to cope and struggled with addiction for subsequent years. "I started using to get away," he explains with a distinct sense of self-awareness, "It was not constructive." James moved back to ATL with his son hoping to reconnect with some of his family, but was again unsuccessful in doing so. "It was kind of hard adjusting. I did have a job in Decatur, but I lost it (like I said) due to addiction." After losing his job, he and his son lost their apartment and became homeless in late winter of 2014. After losing custody of his son, James hit his lowest point and knew it was time to make a change. "Losing my son is what brought me to GWC. I turned a corner and got refocused ... Family is a big motivator. Not giving up ... Success to me is two-fold. Success is first waking up in the morning and then after you wake up, staying motivated to try to make the world better. I spent so many years blaming, but that was a waste. We all have to get on one accord to make this place better that we live in." James had one of the stortest stays in Gateway history. After only 2 months in our Life Changers program he overcame addiction, was hired downtown as a cook, and moved into his own apartment. Today James has been returned custody of his son and they live together in his new apartment. "We're doing better day by day," he says. When asked what one piece of advice he would give to a large group of people, he said simply: Live. Amen, James. We are so proud of you and your son! James has a strong relationship with music and loves to sing and play the blues with his band in his free time. Have a listen to his moving song "Story of My Life" for yourself! [audio mp3="/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Story-of-my-life.mp3"][/audio]