“I Have Pride Again” – Joy’s Story
Joy never believed she would be homeless.
After working 10 years at the post-office, an abusive relationship led her to losing her job.
Although she was able to break away from her unhealthy significant other, without any income, she lost her apartment. DuPagePads was her last option.
“I had no idea where to go, then someone directed me to DuPagePads,” Joy says. “I don’t have the words to express the incredible amount of help and support I received from the staff at DuPagePads and the volunteers at the congregations. They gave me meals and a place to sleep.”
A New Career
Joy worked closely with her case manager and with the Career Employment Solutions to get a job as a pharmacy technician, making $14.00 an hour.
Working the second shift at a local company, Joy was unable to use DuPagePads Interim (Overnight) Housing sites and had nowhere to sleep during the day.
As a result of a grant, DuPagePads Short-Term Housing Employment Program (STEP) provided three months of temporary housing through local motels for people like Joy, employed in overnight positions. Through this program, Joy was able to get sleep and rest when she was not working, helping her retain her newly found career.
Housing Now
After Joy successfully completed the STEP Program, her case manager referred her to the agency’s Housing Now program. This program provides the first month’s rent and security deposit, as well as a year of case management services for individuals to obtain their own independent apartment.
An impactful program, last year DuPagePads Housing Now program served 79 individuals in 43 households, with 95% of the households successfully maintaining their housing.
“I love my new career and DuPagePads has given me so many tools and resources to succeed at it,” Joy says.
Now Joy has been in her own independent housing for a year.
Joy smiles, “I don’t know what I would have done without the help of DuPagePads. The staff helped me set goals and work toward them. I can’t thank you enough for all you have done for me.
The best thing about being employed…I have pride again and I know there is a light at the end of the tunnel.”
DuPagePads is ending homelessness, one journey at a time. Learn more about ways you can be part of our solution here.