Growing up in DuPage County, Thomas*, in his 40’s, never expected to find himself without a roof over his head. At age 19 he followed in his father’s footsteps and joined the Navy, thinking he would have a long path of service ahead of him.
“Being in the military was everything I had ever wanted,” Thomas recalled. “I was acknowledged by my father. And, you know, it was probably one of the best opportunities I ever had. And the fact that it fell apart…it followed me for many years after.”
His Navy plans were jeopardized due to an automobile accident which caused severe brain swelling and ultimately his discharge from the military, leading him down a path of depression and other mental health disorders that took many years for Thomas to understand and address.
“Mental illness led to a lot of pitfalls that brought me to homelessness,” Thomas shared. “No matter how concrete things are, if you build your house on sand, it’s just going to sink.”
Despite these struggles, Thomas was determined to remain stable and worked hard in the restaurant industry for decades. Following the COVID-19 pandemic, Thomas lost his job and eventually his relationship and home.
“Everything disintegrated. There was no right, there was no left. It’s like being out in space.”
Without a job, Thomas began staying at a local motel that he could scarcely afford. He found himself panhandling on the streets to keep his room. He remembers hearing about DuPagePads from a family member. He gathered his last few dollars for the train fare to ride from Villa Park to Wheaton and stepped through the front door of the Client Access Center looking for help.
“I would wake up in the morning, 8am, when Pads would open. I would go get my small bag of food.”
During this time, Thomas balanced staying in a motel when he had any money, staying at DuPgePads’ overnight congregate shelter sites, and sleeping outside. He thought he could find opportunities in another state but ended up sleeping on the streets of New Orleans for months. He made his way back to DuPage County and after staying in parking lots, he again went to DuPagePads. By that time, the Interim Housing Center had opened its doors.
After weeks of being involved with the DuPagePads Street Outreach program, a room finally became available for Thomas. He remembers staff at the front desk welcoming him, helping him get settled, and offering him food and toiletries.
“Without that team of people, I would have fallen apart again.”
IHC volunteer (left) and Thomas (right) enjoy their daily cup of coffee at the Interim Housing Center.
His case manager helped Thomas navigate the housing voucher process through the Veterans Affairs office. He attended programs such as a computer class, helping him to navigate digital applications. Thomas worked hard to get his paperwork in order, attended all his psychiatric appointments, and dreamt about having his own home.
“If I get the apartment that we’re aiming for, I’ll have a balcony to sit on. For years, from the moment I woke up and to the moment that it got dark enough to find somewhere to hide and sleep, I’ve been moving,” Thomas said with tears in his eyes. “I just want to stop. Even for five minutes. Just sit on the balcony and breathe. Because I finally can.”
In April 2025, Thomas moved out of the Interim Housing Center and signed a lease for an apartment of his own, with his very own balcony.
Thomas took deep breaths as he sat still and gazed out, thinking of his life ahead of him. He is looking forward to getting settled in, finding a job in the restaurant industry, and reconnecting with his daughter. On that day, he recalled how DuPagePads staff, donors, and volunteers helped him on his journey.
IHC staff gather around Thomas to cheer him on and wish him the best as he moves into stable housing.
“From the moment you walk in there, you’re not treated any differently than any person,” he remembered. “They see you for who you are. Thank you. You’re the reason I’m here. Simplest way of putting it. I’m grateful.”
Thomas’ transformation from being without a safe place to sleep to a stable tenant with a lease of his own and a renewed sense of hope is a testament to the power of community support. Thanks to kindness like yours, DuPagePads provided Thomas with a warm bed, hearty meals, and a supportive environment, becoming the steppingstone he needed to rebuild his life. It was the programs, the dedicated staff and volunteers, and the generous donations from neighbors like you that made this possible.
Thomas’ story is just one of many, highlighting the profound impact that your contributions can have. You can help provide critical resources and support to countless others, empowering them to find their path toward a brighter future with the reminder that when someone believes in you, everything can change.