Success Stories

James was homeless for 3 years. He has a dual diagnosis of schizophrenia and alcohol dependency. James hears voices, has bouts of depression and he struggles with cravings for alcohol which provides a temporary respite from the voices he hears. After working diligently on his goals, James moved into his own apartment at Step Up on Second after nearly eight years of being on the street. For the first time in years his eyes are bright and twinkling as he reports, “I’m very happy in my new apartment... I only hear (voices) one or two times per week instead of daily...” When he first moved into his apartment he was scared of being indoors and would have to leave in the middle of the night just to sit outside. After all, his voices told him he shouldn’t get an apartment. But he chose not to listen to them this time. He said his apartment has helped him control his drinking which has caused his medications to be more effective, which has caused his voices to decrease. James still struggles with his illness but he reports feeling good most of the time.

Mary, diagnosed with bi-polar disorder, saw her marriage end in divorce and the departure of her four children with their Dad. Mary learned of Step Up on Second and enrolled in our vocational training program. Working as a Fresh Start cashier, Mary gained valuable job skills that she was able to leverage into a regular position with a local coffee shop. She has used her experience to help teach others about mental illness. Today, Mary has been able to re-establish relationships with her children and has quit smoking.

Allen was homeless on and off for seven years. He had been diagnosed with severe depression. Life on the streets was hard and he knew he needed help. He found that finding a job was too difficult when you have to carry all your possessions with you. Allen heard about Step Up on Second from others and decided he would try our program. Allen started attending and became more involved in Step Up on Second services, attending groups, enrolling in our vocational program and he secured a job on-site at Step Up, performing maintenance. Through case management assistance, Allen secured a single apartment in Santa Monica and re-established visiting rights with his young daughter. “Step up on Second has been great for me; I have learned that sometimes you have to sacrifice your old friends and habits to get ahead. Don’t keep looking back, look forward.”

Thomas was living on the street and was admitted to the hospital in 1999 where he was told about Step Up on Second by one of his doctors. He was scared and nervous about coming to Step Up on Second, but became more comfortable after he spoke with a case manager and realized that there was hope for him. He started to come for breakfast and dinner at Step Up on Second a few times a week, and then was able to get housing in an apartment in the Los Angeles area with the help of his case manager. In the six years that Thomas has been a part of Step Up on Second, he has been able to put his life back together piece by piece.

Michael did not have anyone to turn to before he came to Step Up on Second. He was living on the street, unsure of how to get out of the cycle of homelessness, but wanting to find a place of his own. When he heard about Step Up on Second from a friend on the street, he knew it sounded like a place that could help him get his life in order. Michael did not know what to expect and says he was surprised at how friendly and helpful the staff were to him. Michael now lives in an apartment at Step Up on Second, attends church regularly, and has a long term plan of finding himself a house that he can call his own.