Lelia's Journey Home  

Lelia, affectionately known to everyone as “granny”, became homeless in the fall 2003 after leaving her daughter’s house because of overcrowding. “I left and went back to my daughter’s house after first seeing my alternative was homelessness.” Lelia returned to homelessness and The Other Place in the spring of 2004 “because I just couldn’t take my living conditions anymore.”  For the next two years, Lelia struggled with addiction and was in and out of homelessness. Lelia wanted an opportunity to change her life and end her addiction, so her case manager from The Other Place referred her to Nova Women’s Program for inpatient treatment. “I was in treatment for a short while until I left because I thought I had it all together and could maintain my recovery and sobriety.”  For the next three years, Lelia struggled back and forth between her lifestyle and homelessness until finally she was approved for housing through Western Manor Apartments in 2007.

Lelia lived in Western Manor Apartments over the next eleven months. “I had a roof over my head, got custody of my grandkids, but was still struggling to get my life back on the right track. I had very bad experiences and chose not to do what was best for us.”

Lelia entered shelter at St. Vincent ’s again in the summer of 2008, this time, with custody of two grandchildren. Lelia immediately started working with a case manager from The Other Place who started getting Lelia linked up with resources so that Lelia would be able to get back on her feet again. “I finally started realizing what life was really about. This time it was not only about me, I had to worry about the stabilization of my two grandchildren also.”  Lelia worked hard with her case manager and was referred to a new Permanent Supportive Housing Program in Kettering for homeless families. “I was kind of afraid to be in Kettering at first, but now I am loving it. It’s the best place for me and my grandkids.”

Lelia moved into Kettering Commons at the end of August 2008 with her two grandchildren. Lelia chose to work with The Other Place’s on-site supportive service case manager at Kettering Commons to address some goals that she wanted to accomplish for her and “to make a better, more satisfying life for myself and my grandkids. I feel I have come a long way and accomplished so much. I really wanted a beautiful home.”

Lelia has accomplished so much in her journey to find stability. Lelia continues to work and comply with all of her service providers. Lelia has been working on her GED throughout her time at Kettering Commons. Lelia is currently employed at Maria Joseph through linkage to the Goodwill Pathways Program and is extremely happy with her job.  Lelia maintains a clean apartment and loves to cook for family and friends. “My nickname is “granny” because I am reliable and dependable and help out with other tenant’s children when I can, not to mention I have 20 grandchildren of my own”. Lelia is known to go above and beyond for whoever is in need. “I want to give special thanks to my case manager from The Other Place who has supported me every step of the way. I wasn’t sure I could ever be this happy again”.

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