Emanuel
On September 21, 2021, Emanuel’s life was changed forever when he was shot 11 times while standing on the street. His foot was shattered, he suffered a broken femur and had to have metal rods placed in his leg and arm. He spent two months in Cook County Hospital, unsure if he would ever walk again. “I almost lost my life. It was like a domino effect. Once that one bad thing happened, a few bad things happened back-to-back,” explains Emanuel.
While in the hospital, Emanuel’s relationship with his long-term partner ended. He lost friends from his neighborhood and didn’t want to burden his family with his care. He felt that his apartment and neighborhood were no longer safe for him. “I had nowhere to go,” Emanuel remembers.
During his hospital stay, Emanuel was approached by Dr. Keiki Hinami, Director of Applied Research at Cook County Health. Dr. Hinami told Emanuel about Housing Forward's partnership with CCH – the RISE Center Medical Respite Program. He explained that Emanuel would qualify for the program if he regained some mobility. Just one week before he was released, Emanuel took his first steps with the help of a walker and was admitted to the RISE Center.
Emanuel remembers his early days in Medical Respite were difficult. As he started to regain the use of his limbs, he was in a lot of pain and it was hard to stay motivated. The staff and Dr. Hinami kept checking on him and encouraging him to keep going. Emanuel says, “I just took one day at a time and eventually things started to get a little bit better day by day.”
After a few months, Emanuel was able to move upstairs to the Interim Housing Program, where he worked with his case manager, Rachel, to make a plan for housing. He continued to attend physical therapy and was eventually able to walk without a walker or cane. He went back to school and started getting help to address his anxiety and PTSD.
“Before I got shot, I had a lot of responsibilities. I had goals and dreams I was working on and chasing,” Emanuel explains. Life doesn't just stop. It keeps going, regardless of what's happening... so I kind of hit the ground running.”
After more than a year in Interim Housing, Emanuel was eventually matched to a housing voucher which would help cover the cost of his rent. He worked with Housing Navigators, William and Shannon, to find a unit. Just eight days before his voucher was set to expire, Emanuel signed a lease. He moved into his apartment in September of 2023, where he still is today.
Even though Emanuel has secured housing, he is transparent about the challenges he still faces - he deals with severe PTSD and the physical limitations from his injury can make it hard to work. But he is optimistic about what is to come. He says he is eating well, exercising, and focusing on himself and his recovery.
“I still have my strength. I still have my hope and belief in God. No matter how low or depressed I get, my faith never leaves. I just keep fighting. I feel like I'm at the end of the road, at the last part where I'm about to reach my miracle."