A Guiding Light: New program provides dramatic reduction in returns to homelessness
It was the only way Nina could see a pathway out of homelessness.
She and her husband, Rayray, had experienced homelessness for two years. They lived out of their car, and struggled with maintaining their sobriety.
The Torres Shelter was the guiding light that brought them to sobriety and to their home in Chico. Nina and Rayray are part of True North’s new Quality Aftercare Program (or QuAC). With this program, shelter guests receive an additional year of case management after moving into their own place.
Permanent housing is effective, but it must be coupled with supportive services to be sustainable. Since launching this program, True North has seen a dramatic reduction in returns to homelessness.
Suzzy, a case manager at True North, said that QuAC helps guests maintain their housing and regain independent living skills. She has regularly visited Nina and Rayray to check in, helping them access programs to save on their energy bill and get old apartment fixtures replaced, for example.
The couple said the transition from homelessness to being housed again can be difficult, so receiving that additional support is important.
“The biggest problem I’ve had is the heightened state of survival—my mind and body got stuck in it,” Nina said. “It’s nice to know we still have support when we need it.”
During a recent visit, Nina was excited to show Suzzy new shelves she had put up in her kitchen on her own. “The bare one is for my cookbooks!” she said. Suzzy smiled.
Suzzy was there for them since the first moment they entered shelter, Nina added, and has been with them every step of the way. “I felt scared. She was so sweet.”
“I just try to provide that companionship and support,” Suzzy replied. “There’s always help. And we’ll always be there for you! I’m really proud of you for hanging in there and having that positive mindset.”
Nina and Rayray shared that they can’t wait to come back to the shelter to volunteer. They plan to do so on their one year anniversary in their apartment—which is coming up in a few months.
“Being at the Torres Shelter can change your life. It gives you the opportunity to get out of the streets and rebuild your life. You can only go up from there,” Nina said. “They give you support. They want to see you succeed.”
Rayray added: “I’m very grateful for the shelter. It gave me two things I’m grateful for: I’ve still got a life, and now I’ve got a better life. I can look back and say, ‘Wow, I’ve come a long ways.”