Charles

In the summer of 2023, Charles found himself with nowhere to go. After leaving a long-term relationship, he struggled to find a safe place to stay. Then, one day while riding the Green Line with a friend, he stumbled upon an unexpected community at the Metra station in Oak Park. For the first time in weeks, he says he felt a sense of safety and relief, surrounded by people who looked out for one another each night.

Early in his time at the Metra station, Charles met Maria and Troy from Housing Forward’s Street Outreach team. He says Maria took the time to talk with him, ask about his situation, and encourage him to get his ID and Social Security card. Charles followed her guidance, but he was still surprised when, one day, Maria approached him while he was sleeping. “She woke me up and said pack your stuff up, you’re going home.”

In September 2023, Charles moved into Housing Forward’s Interim Housing Program, where he was introduced to Behavioral Health Specialist Donna. That first night, settling into his new space, he says he finally felt a moment of peace. "I watched some TV and took a long shower— I must have stayed in there about an hour,” he recalls. “I was thinking, this has got to be heaven.”

Over the next four months, Charles worked closely with Donna and his case manager, Agnes, taking steps toward stability. Then, in January 2024, with the support of Housing Navigator Prentice, he moved into his own apartment. He says the first thing he did was call his mother to share the moment with her.

Today, Charles says he enjoys his neighborhood, especially being close to grocery stores and restaurants. With Agnes’ help, he has connected to healthcare and dental services and found critical support as he navigates the court system. “A huge amount of stress was taken off my back. I feel like I have someone to help me. I’m trying to grow. A long time I was doing wrong and now I’m doing right... It feels a whole lot better.”