Pete, a 45-year-old man living with AIDS, was wheelchair-bound upon entry into Peter Claver Community in 1996. Pete had suffered an AIDS-related stroke and needed assistance with meals, bathing, getting dressed, laundry, and cleaning his room. He also suffered from major depression, and was in recovery for substance abuse. At first, his demeanor was angry and hostile, and he communicated by giving orders to staff. Gradually, through case management and nursing interventions, Pete developed a more positive and trusting relationship with those who served him. After living at Peter Claver Community for a year and a half, he initiated a reunion with his former girlfriend and met his young child for the first time. These important people became part of his life again. In 1996, Pete had been given the final diagnosis: "You have a maximum of six weeks to live." Thanks to his zest for life and the care he received, Pete lived for six more years. Over 35 friends and relatives—including his adult daughter from whom he had been estranged for many years—attended the Memorial Service planned by Peter Claver Community staff. The last years of Pete's life saw transformation on three levels: spiritual, physical, and emotional. All of this was possible as the result of a supportive housing opportunity.

Kathy, 42, entered the Richmond Hills Family Center several years ago with her partner. They were homeless. She was nine months pregnant—with her baby due any day. Kathy had lost her job; her partner could not hold a job as a result of his substance addiction. Once she had her baby, Kathy spent the first few months at Richmond Hills determining what vocational training she wanted to pursue … and bonding with her child. With a background in the fashion industry, Kathy had held several jobs in the field, but had been laid off from one after another due to a sagging economy. Her partner went into recovery and began vet-tech training, but he was unable to maintain his sobriety. He left the program and later died from an overdose. Richmond Hills helped Kathy cope with the death of her partner, and allowed her sufficient time to grieve. She later said that without the support of the program she most likely would have allowed her partner to pressure her into supporting his habit, and this, eventually, would have destroyed her dream. She went on to study accounting at SF City College, then landed a good job at an accounting firm. She continues in this job 3 1/2 years—and several raises—later. When she first left St. Joseph's, Kathy received a 3-year rental subsidy through the Department of Human Services; she lived in an apartment near the program. Recently, with rental subsidies phasing out of government funding, Kathy called us and talked to her AfterCare case manager about the First-Time Home Buyer's Program. A few weeks ago, she phoned her case manager to let her know that she had just signed papers to buy her own condominium. Kathy is relocating to the East Bay, and is extremely excited about the stability she is now able to provide for herself and her child.

While very young, Sam survived severe physical and emotional abuse at the hands of his family. Tipped off by a relative, the County of Marin referred Sam to St. Vincent's School for Boys, where he went to live as an 8-year-old. At first, Sam had difficulty relating to anyone; his trauma had been so severe, he disassociated most of the time. Through group living, therapy, compassion, stability, and love, Sam eventually found himself connecting with others: his roommate, his mentors, and staff. Sam began to come into his own, and to excel in sports. He was able to stay present for longer periods of time. He accessed suitable ways to release his anger, allowing him to grow as a young man. Today, Sam is a student spokesperson for St. Vincent's-and is a 15-yr.-old who knows himself. "Sam now attends a public school, after years of attending our on-site school," says Kent Eagleson, director of St. Vincent's. "We're really proud of him."